Million Dollar Quartet
November 6, 2016 - January 20, 2017 | Gompertz Theatre
Go inside the recording studio of the most famed jam session in recording history. The new smash-hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet, tells the story of legendary music icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins coming together for one unforgettable night. Get ready to rock along with the TONY AWARD WINNING musical that captures the most seminal moment in rock and roll history.
The running time for Million Dollar Quartet is approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes. It is performed without an intermission.
Million Dollar Quartet by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux.
For a large print version of our playbill, click here.
This production is dedicated in loving memory to Vicky Small
Violet Hope Small made her final curtain call, peacefully, on Saturday evening July 23 in the presence of family and loved ones. Throughout her life, as both a guidance counselor in Harlem, NY schools and as a costume designer in Off-Broadway theaters in New Jersey and Florida, Vicky was able to “Mother” literally thousands of young people.
“Vicky Small was a devoted costumer who came to FST as a volunteer and went on to work for Florida Studio Theatre for over twenty years,” says Richard Hopkins, Producing Artistic Director. “A school teacher in her first life, a devoted wife and mother at home, and a true ‘servant of the people’ through the art she loved. She was an example for us all. She was a dear friend, a mother to us all, a tireless lover of the theatre, and one of the many ‘great souls’ who keep this world on its axis. She will be sorely missed.”
Susan Angermann, former Costume Shop Manager, had a very close working relationship with Vicky Small. She says “Vicky’s dining table at home was really an auxiliary costume shop. Long hours and last minute changes never diminished her passion for costuming and FST. When I was new to Sarasota and learning the theatre world here, she was a great supporter. Her caring and commitment made working together on many productions always a pleasure.”
Many guest artists also had the pleasure of working with Vicky. Guest costume and set designer Marcella Beckwith says “During the 25 plus years I worked with Vicky Small as colleague and friend, I encountered a generous, accomplished, proficient, sometimes exasperating woman who was a consummate costumer, a trusted advisor, a good friend but above all else, she was loyal, to her friends, to her family, to the world she believed in; she inspired us all to be the best we could be.”
CREATIVE
Director | Jason Cannon
Music Director | Darren Server
Scenic Designer | Jeff Dean
Costume Designer | Linda Patterson
Lighting Designer | Michael Jarett
Sound Designer | Ryan Kilcourse
CAST
Elvis Presley | Joe Boover*
Johnny Cash | Joe Casey*
Jerry Lee Lewis | Brandyn Day*
Sam Phillips | Joe Ditmyer*
Dyanne | Michelle Pruiett*
Carl Perkins | Ben Williams*
BAND
Fluke/Drums | Hunter Brown
Jay Perkins/Bass | Kroy Presley
* Denotes member Actors’ Equity Association. The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
JOE BOOVER (Elvis Presley) is an actor, singer and songwriter from NYC whose favorite things are bicycles, chess, and eating vegetables. He has performed in several productions Off-Broadway, regionally and aboard cruise lines. Favorite credits include: The Doormen, Minnesota Moon, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Joe is thrilled to be reprising the role of Elvis Presley since doing so at both Theatre Raleigh and Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Joe can also be seen in various films and on television. Joe Loves You! See more @ Joe Boover.
JOE CASEY (Johnny Cash) FST: American Pie and Poems, Prayers, and Promises. Regional: The Crucible (John Proctor), Betrayal (Jerry), Allen Wilder 2.0 (Michael), Nite Club Confidential (Buck Holden), The Great American Backstage Musical (Johnny Brash), ‘57 Chevy (Elvis Presley), Assassins (Czolgosz), Spike Heels (Edward), Wait Until Dark (Mike). National Tours: Joseph...Dreamcoast (Pharoah). TV: The Knick, A Crime To Remember, and The Hunt With John Walsh. Film: My Pain Is Worse Than Your Pain.
BRANDYN DAY (Jerry Lee Lewis) Is thrilled to be part of this incredible show! NYC Theatre: The Pokémusical (Meowth), Madagascar-The Musical (Alex the Lion) Recent Regional Credits: Billy Elliot (Tony), Saturday Night Fever (Frank Jr.) at Ogunquit Playhouse, The Little Dog Laughed (Alex), Les Miz (Feuily) at the Great Lakes Theatre Fest. Music Theatre grad from Baldwin Wallace University, member of The Water Coolers, wrapped a short film in June, and side-gigs as a dueling pianist. @bdayactor
JOE DITMYER (Sam Phillips) Recent regional credits: Butler (Lieutenant Kelly), The Elephant Man (Frederick Treves), On Golden Pond (Bill Ray) starring Mike Farrell, and Harvey (Dr. Sanderson) starring Charles Shaugnessy. NYC credits: War Uncensored, Faustus, Moses My Love, Mim, and A Case is Never Closed. Metropolitan Opera: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, and Carmen. National Tours: Shear Madness (Eddie), Damn Yankees (Joe), and Shenandoah (James). Film and Television: The Family, Blackest Days, Dead Souls, The International, As the World Turns, Law and Order SVU, and Area 51 Declassified.
MICHELLE PRUIETT (Dyanne) Broadway: Ariel u/s The Little Mermaid. Tours: Jersey Boys, Sweet Charity, Beauty and the Beast. NY Theater: York Theater: Lady Thelma Furness (Only A Kingdom), Midtown Int’l Thr Fest.: Louise (Miss Pell Is Missing), and others. Regional: Florida Studio Theatre : Wanda (Beehive), Playhouse on Park: Cassie (A Chorus Line), Tuacahn CPA: Ariel (US Premiere) The Little Mermaid, Alabama Shakespeare Festival: Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Sugar Loaf PAC: Day by Day (Godspell), Sacramento Music Theater: Rumpleteazer (CATS), and others. www.michellepruiett.net
BEN WILLIAMS (Carl Perkins) Roles include Lee Harvey Oswald (Oswald: The Actual Interrogation), Nat Paradis (Last Gas by John Cariani), Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), Hamlet (Hamlet), Steve (Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash), Jim (Pump Boys and Dinettes), Nat Dawson (Honky-Tonk Highway), and Mozart (Amadeus). Ben has been a singer/songwriter for over 15 years, received his actor training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and holds a degree in Philosophy and Performance from Cornell University. www.benwilliams.info
HUNTER BROWN (Fluke/ Drums) is elated to be a part of the cast of Million Dollar Quartet here at FST. He is the proud musical director of FST Improv, and is the co-creator and teacher of their Musical Improv courses. You may have seen him last year in Yesterday on the Goldstein Cabaret stage. He’s worked as a performer and teacher at American Stage, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Sarasota Players and St Stephen’s Episcopal School. Enjoy the show!
KROY PRESLEY (Jay Perkins/Bass) is excited to be joining Florida Studio Theatre for their production of Million Dollar Quartet. His debut as Jay Perkins was at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Hilton Head, SC this summer. He just recently completed his role as Jay Perkins in Carmel, Indiana. Kroy has traveled nationally and internationally with his music playing in some amazing places like Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and France. Kroy is excited to be joining the cast in this high energy rock and roll musical in Sarasota, Florida. www.kroypresley.com
JASON CANNON (Director) is an Associate Artist at FST, where his responsibilities include New Play Development, supervising the Acting Apprentice Program, teaching in Adult Education, and directing and acting in various productions. Most recently at FST he directed The Velveteen Rabbit, Last Rights, Relativity, My Name is Asher Lev, and Butler. His performance in Dancing Lessons garnered him “Best Actor of 2015” awards from both Sarasota Magazine and the Herald-Tribune. He is a seven-time Kevin Kline Award nominee (and one time winner for Outstanding Leading Actor), an alum of DirectorsLab Chicago, co-founder of the GreenHouse New Play Festival, co-founder and former Board President of the Professional Theatre Council of St. Louis, and former Producing Artistic Director of Ozark Actors Theatre. He holds an MFA in Directing from Lindenwood University, an MA in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis, and a BA in Theatre and English from Greenville College. Proud member of SDC, AEA, and SAG-AFTRA.
DARREN SERVER (Musical Director) is thrilled to be back at FST for his second season. Music directing Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves was a very rewarding experience and a great way to start off the 2016-17 season. Last season at FST, Darren music directed One Man, Two Guvnors and Laughing Matters. Also last season, he music directed and arranged the vocals for Ah, Wilderness! at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. This season at the Asolo Rep., he music directed Book of Days. For the past twelve summers, he has been the resident music director at Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville, PA. Here’s an interesting fact about Darren, his grandfather is “Curly” Howard of The Three Stooges and his great-uncles are Moe and Shemp Howard. This has always been a source of pride and inspiration for Darren. Follow him on his family’s website: www.thegrandstooges.com.
ROY JOHNS (Stage Manager) is pleased to be back for another season at FST. He has had an exciting and varied career both on stage and behind the scenes from Tokyo Disneyland to the White House. Past credits at FST include The God of Isaac; The Roommate; The Fabulous Lipitones; Alabama Story; Outside Mullingar; One Man, Two Guvnors; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Chapatti; Hairspray; and Taking Shakespeare.
JEFF DEAN (Scenic Designer) has designed over 200 shows in Florida including Televison/Film. Asolo Repertory, Sarasota Opera Association, America Stage, and Banyan Theatre. For Florida Studio Theatre: Over The River And Through The Woods, Execution of Justice, Invictus, and The Sum of Us. A nationally recognized sculptor and member of United Scenic Artists Local 829, New York, recipient of two Florida Individual Artist Fellowship Awards for Set Design. Jeff recently designed the new theatre spaces in the Gompertz renovation including lobby, cafe, and marquees.
LINDA PATTERSON (Costume Designer) is based in Georgia and pleased to have her first show here at FST. She has designed for Atlanta theatres including Actors Express, Alliance Hertz Stage (City Series), Aurora, Georgia Ensemble, Horizon, Jewish Theatre of the South (Resident Designer), Kenny Leon’s True Colors, & Theatrical Outfit. She is a twice recipient of Atlanta’s Suzi Bass Award: Best Costume Design of a Play and has also designed for fashion, film, & events.
MICHAEL JARETT (Lighting Designer) is glad to be making his FST design debut. His designs have been seen in New York at Theater for the New City, Theatre Row, Dance Theatre Workshop, Pregones Theater, Ailey Citigroup Theater; regionally at Arundel Barn Playhouse, Berkshire Theater Festival, Cape Rep Theatre, Emerald City Opera, Mercury Theatre Company, Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School, Playhouse on Park, Riverside Center, Virginia Musical Theater; and internationally in Sofia, Bulgaria. www.michaeljarett.com
RYAN KILCOURSE (Sound Designer) is pleased to be returning to Florida Studio Theatre after designing recent favorites like Over the River; Hairspray; Pump Boys and Dinettes; Daddy Long Legs; Let’s Twist Again with the Wanderers; and Smokey Joe’s Café. Other recent design work includes: Pirates of Penzance, Atlanta Opera, Oklahoma; Crazy for You; Sweeney Todd; A Light on the Piazza, Merry Go Round Playhouse, The Last Supper, Rising Sun NYC.
COLIN ESCOTT (Book) Born in England, Colin Escott lives near Nashville, Tennessee. He is the author of Good Rockin’ Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the first in-depth account of the Sun Records story. His book Hank Williams – The Biography has been adapted into the movie I Saw the Light, starring Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen. His multi-CD box set, The Complete Hank Williams, won a Grammy, and another of his productions, B.B. King – King of the Blues, was nominated for a Grammy. Million Dollar Quartet received three Tony nominations, including Best Book and Best Musical. Escott was part of the writing/producing team adapting the show for a multi-part/multi-season run on CMT/Viacom. The first season airs in November-December 2016.
FLOYD MUTRUX (Book) worked at Second City, Chicago; attended Columbia University, NY; in LA, conceived, wrote, directed or produced 50 films: American Hot Wax (Best Picture, Director), Scarecrow (Best Picture), Urban Cowboy, Untouchables, Up in Smoke, Dick Tracy, and with his wife Birgitte, is preparing new film Moon Over Memphis (a rock ‘n’ roll Field of Dreams).
SPECIAL THANKS to the Cavanaugh Family and Black Diamond Strings of Sarasota, for their generous gift of guitar and bass strings for the musicians of Million Dollar Quartet.