S2E16 - In the Spotlight with Million Dollar Quartet

About this episode

The episode explores the musical 'Million Dollar Quartet' and the artists behind the iconic figures of rock and roll.

As You Mic It: In the Spotlight turns its attention to Million Dollar Quartet, the electrifying musical inspired by the legendary night when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis gathered at Sun Records and made music history. In this episode, Artistic Director Jason King Jones sits down with Jeremy Sevelovitz (Carl Perkins) and John Gardiner (Sam Phillips) to explore the people behind the influential figures in the birth of rock and roll. Their conversation looks at the friendships that shape these performances, the real-life relationship between Perkins and Phillips, and the challenge of portraying larger-than-life figures while honoring the humanity that made them remarkable. Later, Connie Behringer speaks with director Jim Helsinger about bringing Million Dollar Quartet to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival stage. Drawing on his decades of experience as a director, actor, and artistic leader, Helsinger reflects on working with a cast of exceptional actor-musicians, the thrill of recreating a pivotal moment in music history, and what makes this production both a celebration of iconic songs and a compelling piece of theatre. Together, these…

People in this episode

Host: Jason King Jones

Guests: Jeremy Sevelovitz, John Gardiner, Jim Helsinger

Topics covered

• musical theatre
• rock and roll history
• artist collaboration
• performance challenges
• creative process

Keywords

• Million Dollar Quartet
• rock and roll
• musical
• Elvis Presley
• Johnny Cash
• Carl Perkins
• Jerry Lee Lewis
• Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
• theatre

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

Books & works: Million Dollar Quartet

Places: Sun Records

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