Theater Review – December 20, 2025

TPTC SUCCESSFULLY REVIVES ITS FOOT-STOMPIN HIT “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET”

“Million Dollar Quartet”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Travel back to December 4, 1956 when four young but impressive and up-and-coming singer/entertainers – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis – gathered for the only time to jam and jive together as they recorded a still legendary record at Sun Records Studios in Memphis.

That is the premise for the hit musical “Million Dollar Quartet’s” tribute to this session which incorporates these performers song hits into an entertaining and dynamic entertainment.  The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC) has revived their earlier successful staging in a near duplicate and winning production.

The test of any “Million Dollar Quartet” staging are the four actors recreating these treasured stars.  The TPTC presentation has these perfect entertainers in Brady Wease’s piano-pounding Lewis, Gregg Hammer’s harmonica-throbbing and guitar-strumming Cash, Kurt Jenkins’ guitar-jamming, and Nick Voss’ swirling and foot-stomping Presley.  Hammer also serves as the show’s music director.

Kyle Sorrell is the perfect Sun Records’ impresario Sam Phillips, Alyssa Chiarello charms as Elvis’ hip-swinging gum-chewing girlfriend, Dyanne, and Austin Case plays Perkins’ brother Jay, who turns his bass into a character.  Robert Grahmann artfully bangs his drums as Fluke adding the requisite percussionist vibes to the well-known musical numbers.  It couldn’t be a better ensemble.

Douglas Clarke’s Sun Studios set is tactfully trashy while Adriana Diaz’s costumes and Daniel Davisson’s lighting are flawless.  All is pulled together impressively in Scott Weinstein’s staging that keeps the show’s pace zinging along but allows for several reflective moments when the players chat about their careers.  There is a thoughtful way Weinstein has the troupe tell Phillips that the group must split so each performer can structure their own careers.

There are some small quibbles with the near perfect production.  The show is loud which is appropriate because of the hit tunes that comprise the show’s score.  If high volumes bother you, “Million Dollar Quartet” isn’t your show.

Another thing is a show construction issue.  While “Million Dollar Quartet” moves at a breakneck pace, its finale becomes a belabored tune fest after the audience has already provided a standing ovation.  The show continues for several minutes as each performer sings a character vocal number keeping the audience on their feet far too long.

The last criticism is TPTC’s policy of allowing late comers to be seated during the performance which causes annoying interruptions for the audience and for the production.  If you can’t make the stated curtain time, you should wait in the lobby until the intermission when late arriving theatergoers won’t disturb those who made it on time.

But these are small criticisms of a near perfect show and for a non-rock ‘n’ roller like me, it is amazing how much joy this production imparts.  It continues through March 8. To order tickets, call The Phoenix Theatre Company box office at 602-254-2151 or order tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Grade: A

Another good thing happened at the neighboring Phoenix Art Museum when they re-opened their long-closed restaurant with the debut of Alden which proves an excellent eat that compliments TPTC’s Artbar Bistro.  Check Alden out before a future TPTC show.