SASKATOON — Experience the music of legends like never before. Audiences will be shaking, rattling and rolling as the remarkable vintage setting depicting Sun Records in 1956 sets the stage for the Million Dollar Quartet, running April 22-May 11 at Saskatoon’s Persephone Theatre.
Based on the book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, this Tony Award-nominated musical is set on Dec. 4, 1956, where an extraordinary twist of fate brought four top artists together at the legendary Sun Records in Memphis.
Performed with soulful insight into the characters they are portraying and believable musical charm, the production is a celebration of famed artists from years gone by.
The energy of the cast easily draws in the audience as they depict Sun Records producer, Sam Phillips, along with artists Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley in one of the greatest jam sessions in the history of rock and roll.
The set, costume and characters throw the audience back into the 50s depicting an unforgettable December night with a tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebration, delivering both poignant realism and throwback humour.
SaskToday spoke to cast member, Frankie Cottrell, who plays the iconic Elvis Presley. Cottrell is a visiting artist from Vancouver. The multidisciplinary Indigenous artist from the Taltan Nation grew up tap dancing in Gibsons B.C. His resume includes a number of productions including Shrek the Musical and Grease. The actor also performs original music as a solo artist and with his band.
Asked how the actor feels about portraying Elvis, Cottrell responds, “It’s so much fun, I had an opportunity to do this role twice before with the last time 小蓝视频 about seven years ago.”
Cottrell adds that when he was 12, he used to lip-synch and dance to Elvis’s music. His mom was a big Elvis fan while his dad was a big Johnny Cash fan so he grew up learning to love their music.
The actor watched video footage to incorporate some of Elvis’s moves, as the era in this production is when the king wasn’t quite into his karate moves and dramatic stage presence.
“I do one karate kick near the end but I incorporated more of his earlier loose style with his lower body movements.”
Cottrell said he did not know about this epic recording session before trying out for the part.
“Having an audience brings in the energy we need. The actor playing Carl says having an audience is like having the final cast member. It’s a party every night with this show. The cast has gelled really well and it’s so much fun.”
