Press Release: Million Dollar Quartet

Rock Out Under the Stars with South Coast Repertory's Outside SCR Production of Million Dollar Quartet at Mission San Juan Capistrano

Popular Summer Offering Returns July 30-Aug. 21

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Mar. 14, 2022)—Back by popular demand, South Coast Repertory (Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Paula Tomei) announces the return of Outside SCR at Mission San Juan Capistrano this summer, July 30-Aug.21. This year’s production ofMillion Dollar Quartet, book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, original concept and direction by Mutrux, chronicles a momentous day in December 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis played a jam session for the ages.

Directed by Broadway veteran James Moye, Million Dollar Quartet is the sole Outside SCR production in this second summer of partnering with the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.

“In Mission San Juan Capistrano, we found an ideal partner that shares SCR’s passion for community and culture,” Tomei said. “As we head into our second summer of this initiative, we are excited to collaborate with them once again to share this extraordinary musical theatre experience with audiences.”

Million Dollar Quartet tells the story behind a seminal moment in rock history, when four rock-and-roll legends met by pure chance at Sun Records in Memphis. That spur-of-the-moment meeting turned into one of the most memorable jam sessions in the history of music. The Memphis Press-Scimitar newspaper chronicled the session the next day under the headline “Million Dollar Quartet”.

The music in Million Dollar Quartet transports audiences back in time to the dawn of rock-and-roll, with more than 20 celebrated classics such as “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Sixteen Tons”, “Long Tall Sally”, “I Walk the Line”, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Hound Dog” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”.

Moye’s directing credits include three productions of Million Dollar Quartet, and he appeared as music impresario Sam Phillips in the 2011-12 off-Broadway production. His acting credits also include the Broadway or off-Broadway productions of Tootsie, Dear Evan Hansen, Aladdin, On the 20^th Century, Bullets Over Broadway, Ragtime, A Tale of Two Cities, The Full Monty and Urinetown.

“To experience this inspiring story, bursting with the energy and music of four rock-and-roll legends, in the beautiful surroundings of Mission San Juan Capistrano will be truly special,” Ivers said. “Outside SCR was born last year out of the need for families to experience world-class theatre in a safe, engaging setting and to connect with one another—and for SCR to engage with communities outside our Costa Mesa home. After an enthusiastic response to our first Outside SCR in 2021, we are elated to return to the Mission and the Southland communities that welcomed us so warmly.”

Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, the Executive Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano said, “Patrons of SCR will be enthralled with the Mission San Juan Capistrano’s unique setting and members of the Mission will be captivated by South Coast Repertory’s incredible theatrical production of Million Dollar Quartet. Together, we will marry our best assets to create something magical and worthy of experiencing. We can’t wait to welcome theatregoers who are discovering our partnership for the first time and seeing them leave with an experience to remember always.”

Outside SCR received generous support from Honorary Season Producers Michael Ray and Apriem Advisors, Honorary Producers Carolyn & Bill Klein, and Associate Honorary Producers Judy and Wes Whitmore.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $42, with special pricing for those age 25 and under. Single tickets may be purchased beginning March 14, either online at www.scr.org or by phone at (714) 709-5555. More information is available at www.scr.org.

Million Dollar Quartet
Book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
Original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrux
Inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins
Directed by James Moye
Running July 30-Aug. 21 at Mission San Juan Capistrano. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

On Dec. 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins gathered for one night to play music and ended up making history. This Tony Award-nominated musical takes us inside one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions ever recorded with four legendary musicians doing what they loved most: expressing life’s joy and sadness through song. Described as “dazzling” by New York Magazine and “wildly entertaining” by Hollywood Reporter, Million Dollar Quartet will have you rocking down memory lane with more than 20 chart-topping hits like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line” and “Who Do You Love.”