Million Dollar Quartet coming to Munster

Theatre at the Center announces cast for run beginning February 14

information provided by Theatre at the Center

MUNSTER, Ind. (January 14, 2019) – Director Daryl Brooks has cast Zach Sorrow as Elvis Presley, Michael Kurowski as Jerry Lee Lewis, Tommy Malouf as Johnny Cash, Zachary Stevenson as Carl Perkins, Sean Fortunato as record producer Sam Phillips and Aeriel Williams as singer Dyanne in Theatre at the Center‘s production of Million Dollar Quartet. Additional cast members include musicians Michael Sinclair as Jay and Nick Anderson as Fluke.

Previews begin February 14, with Opening Night on February 17 and a continued run through March 31. This production is sponsored by Pat Binkley.

The story

Million Dollar Quartet is a hit musical with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux based on the true events of a night in rock ‘n roll history. It dramatizes an actual recording session on December 4, 1956, at the Sun Records recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley assembled for an impromptu jam session. The story explains that Perkins was there to record songs with a new performer, Jerry Lee Lewis. Elvis happened to visit the studio with his girlfriend at the time, just as Johnny Cash stopped in to speak with recording impresario Sam Phillips, who was eager to re-sign Cash to a new contract, unaware he had already signed with Columbia Records.

The leads

Zach Sorrow returns to TATC after his performance in last year’s production of Big River. This is his second time playing Elvis, after understudying in the Chicago premiere of Heartbreak Hotel. Sorrow played Rolf in The Sound of Music at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. His regional credits include Lucas in The Addams Family at the New Theatre Restaurant and Doody in Grease for Royal Caribbean cruise line.

Michael Kurowski is making his Theatre at the Center debut. He recently appeared as Tootles in Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure at Chicago Shakespeare, and he won a Jeff Award for Best Ensemble in Posh at Steep Theater. His onscreen credits include Gran Torino, The Armed Boy, and Chicago Fire.

Also new to the TATC stage is Zachary Stevenson, a rock ‘n roll guitarist and singer who made his Chicago debut in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and received a Jeff Award for his performance. Select credits include Hank Williams, the Show He Never Gave, Ring of Fire, Hair, Urinetown, and Assassins. Stevenson also served as musical director for Million Dollar Quartet at Arts Club Theatre and Ring of Fire at Chemainus Theatre Festival.

Tommy Malouf is also making his TATC debut as Johnny Cash. He previously played “Man in Black” Cash in Ring of Fire at Metropolitan Performing Arts Center. Other credits include Heartbreak Hotel at Broadway Playhouse, The Light Fantastic at Jackalope and Great Expectations at Remy Bumpo/Silk Road Rising.

Sean Fortuanto returns to TATC where he appeared as the Emcee in Cabaret, Lancelot in Spamalot, Franz in The Producers, and Max in Lend Me a Tenor. Other credits include Malvolio in Twelfth Night, The Diary of Anne Frank and Hedda Gabler at Writers Theatre, Book of Joseph and King Charles III at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Measure for Measure at Goodman Theatre. He has received six Jeff Award nominations and an After Dark award.

Aeriel Williams makes her debut at TATC in the role of Elvis’ gal pal Dyanne. Last May, she starred in Porchlight Music Theatre’s run of Memphis, which is also inspired by actual events. Her favorite roles include those she’s played in hit productions of The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, and Seven Guitars, along with credits on popular television shows like The Chi and Empire.

The creative team

Director Daryl Brooks is making his debut at TATC. In 2018, he directed Memphis at Porchlight Music Theater and received a Jeff Award nomination. His playwright credits include Sammy: A Tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr., Black Pearl: A Tribute to Josephine Baker, and Men of Soul, all of which he also directed at Black Ensemble Theater in Chicago.

Linda Fortunato is in her fourth season as TATC Artistic Director. Her recent credits include directing and choreographing Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical, Ghost: The Musical, and Steel Magnolias, as well as Cabaret and Big River. Fortunato has been nominated for five Jeff Awards for her work as choreographer and director, and she received both Equity and Non-Equity Jeff Awards for Outstanding Choreography in 2013-14. Her Jeff Award for the choreography in 42nd Street was TATC’s first.

Linda Fortunato is teamed with TATC General Manager Richard Friedman and Ann Davis, TATC Head of Production.

The creative team for Million Dollar Quartet also includes Scenic Designer Ann Davis, Lighting Designer Denise Karczewski, Sound Designer Barry G. Funderburg, Costume Designer Caitlin Dalton, Wig Designer Kevin Barthel, and Properties Designer Emily Hartig. Stage Manager is Jessica Banaszak. Music Director is William Underwood.

Showtimes and prices

Following the February 17 Opening Night, performances are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesdays and Thursdays: 2:00pm
• Fridays: 7:30pm
• Saturdays: 3:00pm and 7:30pm
• Sundays: 2:30pm

In addition to the regular run schedule, Theatre at the Center has added the following performances during the final seventh week of the run:

• Wednesday, March 27 at 2:00pm
• Thursday, March 28 at 7:30pm
• Friday, March 29 at 7:30pm
• Saturday, March 30 at 7:30pm
• Sunday, March 31 at 2:30 and 7:00pm

Individual ticket prices range from $42–$46. To purchase individual tickets, call the Box Office at 219-836-3255 or Tickets.com at 800-511-1532. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more. Student tickets are $20 and gift certificates are also available.

Theatre at the Center is located at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, Indiana.