New Musical Million Dollar Quartet Books Broadway's Nederlander Theatre

Million Dollar Quartet, the hit 1950s rock show that has been running for a year in Chicago, will open at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre in April 2010. Previews are set begin on March 13, directed by Eric Schaeffer. Casting and creative team members will be announced at a later date.

Inspired by the famed December 4, 1956, recording session that brought together rock icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, Million Dollar Quartet recreates the legendary jam session and the story of the men who made it happen. With a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Muntrux, the production features a roster of classic rock and country hits, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”

Million Dollar Quartet originally opened in Chicago on October 5, 2008, extending its critically acclaimed run and receiving three regional Jeff Award nominations, including Best Production of a Musical. The show is still running at the Apollo Theatre. Schaeffer,co-founder and artistic director of Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, had directed Putting it Together and Glory Days on Broadway. Additional helming credits include the first national tour of Big, The Musical, and The Witches of Eastwick on London’s West End, as well as numerous productions for Signature.

Escott is a noted music historian and the author of numerous books, including Good Rockin’ Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll. He won a Grammy Award for his production work on The Complete Hank Williams, and received a second nomination for producing B.B. King: The King of Blues. Muntrux is a director, writer and producer of films, including the early rock ’n’ roll biopic American Hot Wax. His screenwriting credits include The Hollywood Knights, American Me, Bound by Honor, There Goes My Baby and Mulholland Falls.

Million Dollar Quartet is being produced on Broadway by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, Northern Lights Inc., Broadway Across America and James L. Nederlander. The Nederlander Theatre became available after the premature closing of Brighton Beach Memoirs on November 1.