Mason Street Warehouse kicks off its 2016 season at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, with the Tony-winning musical “Million Dollar Quartet.” The show opens Friday, June 24 and runs through July 10. Tickets for adults, seniors, and students are available online at sc4a.org, at the SCA box office, or at 269-857-2399.
Rock ‘n roll, R&B, gospel and country hits raise the roof in this musical about the legendary recording session that brought Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins together for one night only. Inspired by the true story of one of the greatest jam sessions of all time, “Million Dollar Quartet” brings to life a poignant, funny and irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations with iconic hits like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Hound Dog,” and more.
New York Magazine calls the show, ““A dazzling, raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks!”
Mason Street Warehouse brings Broadway Equity acting talent to West Michigan every summer, and the cast of “Million Dollar Quartet” is loaded with talent. The show features Joe Carroll as Elvis Presley, James Sheider as Jerry Lee Lewis, Shawn Platzker as Carl Perkins, and Justin Figueroa as Johnny Cash.
Carroll, a Grand Rapids native, got his start with Mason Street Warehouse after his senior year of high school, ultimately doing five shows on the MSW stage including starring in Avenue Q just after graduation from the University of Michigan. “This was really my first theatrical home, first professional home,” said Carroll, “I owe this place so very much.” After Avenue Q, Carroll earned his Equity Card and membership in the Actor’s Equity Association and moved to New York City. After only one month in the Big Apple, Carroll got his first Broadway role in the Tony-award winning musical Once – and he has never looked back. From there he went to Romeo and Juliet, and most recently Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella before coming home to Mason Street.
Sheider, who hails from New York City, has been starring in “Million Dollar Quartet” for the last ten years. He originated the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in 2006, with the Village Theater Festival of New Musicals, where he then joined the cast of the original Chicago Company and the original Broadway cast. Sheider went on to join the national tour, making this show at the SCA his first regional production. “This has always been an exciting role for me,” said Sheider, “You’re not just a part of a show, because every different incarnation of the show that you do, you get to build a different band.”
Platzker, also from New York City, is a singer-songwriter and actor making music and performing at New York City venues such as The Bitter End and Prohibition. He currently has original singles on iTunes. Figueroa, living in Los Angeles, has performed at the Center Theater in Los Angeles, the Public Theater in New York, the Sacramento Music Circus, and has recently performed “Million Dollar Quartet” with Norwegian Cruise line and the original Broadway cast.
“Murder for Two” and “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” round out MSW’s sizzling summer lineup. For more information and tickets visit sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399. Tickets are selling as hot as an Elvis performance at the county fair – grab yours before they’re gone.
