Dollar Quartet. Photo by Mark Garvin.
Last night, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending opening night of Million Dollar Quartet at the Walnut Street Theatre—and what a night it was. From the very first chord, the energy in the room was electric, and by the end of the evening, the entire audience was buzzing with excitement.
This spectacular production tells the story of the legendary night in 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis came together at Sun Records for a once-in-a-lifetime jam session. Under the direction of Fran Prisco—making his Mainstage directorial debut while also stepping into the role of Sam Phillips—the show captures not only the music but also the tension, camaraderie, and sheer joy of that historic evening.
The cast brought these icons to life with remarkable authenticity and charisma. Matteo Scammell’s Elvis had the swagger and charm you’d expect, Ken Sandberg’s Johnny Cash carried that deep, resonant gravitas, Paul Harrold’s Carl Perkins delivered fiery guitar licks, and Brian Michael Henry’s Jerry Lee Lewis was a whirlwind of energy at the piano. Add in Kathryn Brunner as Dyanne, with her powerhouse vocals, and the stage was overflowing with talent.
What made the night even more special was the crowd itself. You could feel the collective joy in the theatre—people clapping along, laughing at the playful banter, and erupting into cheers after each number. That shared energy elevated the entire experience, making it not just a performance but a celebration.
In a time when the headlines are often dominated by negativity, I find myself deeply grateful for the Walnut Street Theatre. Their productions never fail to lift my spirits, fill me with hope, and inject me with a healthy dose of positivity. Walking out of the theater last night, I couldn’t help but smile—reminded once again of the power of live performance to bring people together and leave us feeling lighter than when we walked in.
If you’re looking for a night of high-energy music, incredible performances, and pure joy, Million Dollar Quartet is not to be missed.