It has been just over half a century since four rock/country/gospel/rockabilly legends, later to be known as the Million Dollar Quartet, found themselves together in a small Memphis studio recording impromptu tracks. The Village Theatre production of the same name, perhaps more accurately described as one of the best cover shows in the history of man, chronicles the story and music of that evening at Sun Records. December 4, 1956 could have gone down in the annals of obscure musical history as the day Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins gave notice of their intentions to leave Sun at the expiration of their contracts; it could also have been recorded as the date of a nostalgic reunion between Elvis Presley and his friend and former champion, then-owner of Sun, Sam Phillips. Through some divine miracle of scheduling these events transpired simultaneously, their accompanying tensions hilariously mitigated by Suns recent hire: hillbilly, pianist, and vocal legend Jerry Lee Lewis. Everyone in this play deserves praise, Jerry Guests almost eerie channeling of Cash and Levi Kreiss hysterical rendering of Jerry Lee in particular. Inspired musical performances punctuated by moments of wit and sadness made this show the most fun I have had at the theatre in a long time.
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: Sept. 19. Continues through Oct. 28, 2007