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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Million Dollar Quartet Christmas Also see Gil's review of The Madwoman of Chaillot Million Dollar Quartet Christmas adds festive cheer to the familiar story of four music legends coming together immortalized in Million Dollar Quartet. With a fantastic cast, Arizona Broadway Theatre's production offers a joyful blend of holiday spirit, rock and roll history, and live concert energy. It's not exactly a sequel to the popular Million Dollar Quartet, which premiered regionally in 2007 and then ran on Broadway and around the country and has been presented successfully in numerous productions across the country, including last year at ABT, but more an expansion of that musical. Like its predecessor, the show imagines the actual Christmastime reunion in 1956 at Sun Records, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis crossed paths under the watchful eye of producer Sam Phillips. Fans of that show will recognize the setup and many of the same character dynamics depicted here, but Million Dollar Quartet Christmas is far less concerned with storytelling and conflict. Instead, it leans into nostalgia and seasonal warmth. While there are moments when Elvis is concerned about the Selective Service notification he just received and Johnny talks about the hardships of being on the road for months at a time and Carl questions if he'll ever have continued success, most of the dramatic tension of the first show is replaced here with a relaxed, celebratory tone. That gives the show more of a feeling like being invited into a private holiday jam session than watching a traditional book musical. The narrative still gives each artist space to reflect on their careers, their roots, and the music that shaped them, but these moments are woven into a festive celebration of the season through familiar songs and spontaneous musical moments. The song list reflects that shift in focus. Alongside classic rock and country hits, the production incorporates Christmas standards and gospel-inspired songs. While the song list here, as in the original show, isn't exactly what the quartet performed at the actual event on December 4, 1956, which was recorded and later released, the songs performed feel authentic to the era and the artists. The music flows freely, often bleeding from one song into the next, reinforcing the idea that this is a shared impromptu musical experience rather than a tightly structured narrative or concert. That loose, concert style approach is one of the show's greatest strengths and keeps the energy lively throughout. The cast is great. They are all talented musicians and singers, which elevates the production into a crowd pleaser. Alex Swindle captures Elvis' easy charm and smooth vocals that echo the famous singer, while Brody Wurr's Johnny Cash is given a grounded, thoughtful presence that balances the group with reflective comments. Jared Mancuso's depiction of Carl Perkins comes across as earnest and sincere, and Kevin Lausche's portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis injects the show with explosive piano playing and playful bravado. Sam Phillips serves as both narrator and guiding force, and Austin Shaw anchors the evening with warmth and humor as he reflects on the artists molded into superstars. As Dyanne, Elvis' LA based girlfriend he's brought home for the holidays, Quinn Tierney Vaira adds a welcome touch of heart, particularly in moments that nod to family and faith. Joey Nuhfer and D'Mitri Droban round out the cast as Carl's bass playing brother Jay and the drummer W.S. "Fluke" Holland. All of the cast are gifted musicians and vocalists, and while Swindle's uncanny performance of Elvis is truly the only portrayal that gives you the sense you're actually seeing Elvis in person, Wurr, Mancuso, and Lausche's portrayals all beautifully pay homage to these famous men. Both Wurr and Vaira played their respective roles when ABT presented Million Dollar Quartet a year ago. Staged by Kurtis Overby in ABT's smaller Encore Room, the intimate setting works beautifully for this production. The small scale places the audience right inside the Sun Records studio, creating a sense of immediacy and connection that a larger venue might lose. It truly feels as though you are witnessing something personal and spontaneous and that you're a fly on the wall for this historic meeting of four legends. While it may be very similar to its predecessor, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at Arizona Broadway Theatre succeeds by knowing exactly what it wants to be. It is not a reinvention, but a seasonal celebration that blends legendary music from legendary performers with holiday cheer. Million Dollar Quartet Christmas runs through December 21, 2025, at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 West Paradise Lane, Peoria AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.azbroadway.org or call 623-776-8400. Director/Music Director: Kurtis Overby Cast: |
