Governor Quinn Proclaims 11/6 As MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET DAY

Million Dollar Quartet, which recently announced its spring plans for a Broadway production, proudly announces its one year anniversary in Chicago. Million Dollar Quartet will host a celebratory press performance on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. The following day, Governor Patrick Quinn is expected to present the cast with a "Million Dollar Quartet Day" proclamation prior to a free Million Dollar Quartet concert at 12:30 p.m. at the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago.

Million Dollar Quartet has recently been extended and tickets are currently on sale through January 3, 2010. An additionAl Block of tickets, through March 28, 2009, will go on sale to the general public on Friday, November 6, 2009.

Note to media: Please contact Cathy Taylor Public Relations to cover the Thompson Center event or the 7:30 p.m. performance at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.

On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll," who discovered them all. The four legends-to-be united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time.

Featuring a treasure trove of the greatest rock 'n' roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these music legends, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Riders in the Sky," and "Whole Lotta' Shakin' Goin' On," Million Dollar Quartet captures the infectious spirit, freewheeling excitement and thrilling sounds of a singular moment when four of the music industry's most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history. The production has recently added new, hit songs, including "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," and "Hound Dog."
"We are thrilled to announce we are celebrating one year of performances in Chicago with no sign of slowing down," said Gigi Pritzker, John Cossette and Ted Rawlins, co-producers of Million Dollar Quartet. "From the very first preview performance, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, exceeding our expectations and confirming our hopes."

Directed by Eric Schaeffer and Floyd Mutrux, with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. Million Dollar Quartet is produced by Relevant Theatricals and John Cossette Productions.
Million Dollar Quartet features a stellar group of performers, equally adept as musicians and actors. The Chicago production stars Levi Kreis as Jerry Lee Lewis; Lance Guest as Johnny Cash; Rob Lyons as Carl Perkins; and Eddie Clendening as Elvis Presley. Chicago's own Tim Decker plays the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll" Sam Phillips, and Chicago-based actress Kelly Lamont plays Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne.

Million Dollar Quartet had its world premiere at Florida's Seaside Music Theatre, and was subsequently staged at the Village Theatre in Washington, breaking box office records. In Chicago, the production moved to the Apollo on November 5, 2008, following its sold-out, limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Plans for a spring 2010 Broadway opening were recently announced.

TICKETS

Million Dollar Quartet has recently been extended and tickets are currently on sale through January 3, 2010. An additionAl Block of tickets, through March 28, 2009, will go on sale to the general public on Friday, November 6, 2009.

Tickets to Million Dollar Quartet at the Apollo Theater are currently on sale and available through the Apollo Theater box office, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave, (773) 935-6100. Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for the regular run are $25-$70. Rush student tickets are available 2 hours before each performance for $20 with valid student ID.

For groups of 15 or more contact Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at 312-977-1710 or groupsales@broadwayinchicago.com.

The Apollo performance schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
The schedule for the week of Thanksgiving follows:

Tuesday, November 24 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 25 2:00 p.m.

Friday, November 27 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 28 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 29 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The schedule for the weeks of Christmas and the New Year follows:

Tuesday, December 22 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 23 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 24 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 26 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 27 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Monday, December 28 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 29 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 30 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 31 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 2 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 3 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

FAMILY NIGHTS

Million Dollar Quartet will offer special family discounts at the 6:30 p.m. shows on select Sundays. The next Family Night is scheduled for November 15, 2009. Tickets to Million Dollar Quartet Family Nights are buy one, get one free. (One child under 17 will be admitted free with each adult ticket purchase.) The evenings will feature giveaways with special gifts from Million Dollar Quartet. Check www.milliondoallarquartetlive.com for upcoming Family Nights.
Million Dollar Quartet is a 90-minute, family-friendly production. Audience members of all ages are invited to laugh, clap-and even dance-during the show. Audience members are welcome to leave their seats at any time during the production to use the restrooms and purchase concessions.
For more show information, visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com.

CREATIVE TEAM OF MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

Director Eric Schaeffer is the acclaimed co-founder and artistic director of the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, where his work has been honored with numerous Helen Hayes Awards including Outstanding Direction. He directed Putting it Together and Glory Days on Broadway, the first national tour of big, The Musical, and the West End debut of The Witches of Eastwick. He also served as artistic director for the Kennedy Center's recent Sondheim Celebration.

Floyd Mutrux is also the co-author of the book to Million Dollar Quartet, sharing writing credits with noted Grammy award-winning author and music historian Colin Escott. Mutrux has written, directed or produced numerous films, including the classic biopic of early rock 'n' roll American Hot Wax, Dick Tracy and Mulholland Falls. Escott, the author of numerous books including Good Rockin' Tonight - Sun Records and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll, was awarded a Grammy for producing The Complete Hank Williams, and was nominated for a Grammy for producing B.B. King - King of the Blues.

Musical Director Chuck Mead, with multiple hit records, has stood at the forefront of the alternative country music explosion as founder and lead of BR549, the three-time Grammy Award nominated country band.

Levi Kreis reprises his role as Jerry Lee Lewis after starring in the original Seattle production of Million Dollar Quartet. Kreis recently released his new album, "Where I Belong" and completed a 251 city tour promoting his last two albums, One of the Ones and The Gospel According to Levi. As a musician, Kreis has opened for such famed artists as Chaka Khan, Deborah Gibson and shared the stage with Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and Snoop Dog, among others.
Lance Guest's career spans stage, film and TV with previous appearances on House and NYPD Blue, Screech for the Sci-Fi Channel, lead roles in Plan B, Jaws IV and the cult sci-fi classic The Last Starfighter. Guest played Johnny Cash in the Seattle production of Million Dollar Quartet and reprises the role for the Chicago premiere.
Rob Lyons reprises his role as Carl Perkins after starring in the Seattle production of Million Dollar Quartet. When not acting, Lyons' band, Megaphonic, is in high demand playing at Los Angeles' hottest nightclubs. He is currently composing for their upcoming album.
Eddie Clendening's previous musical credits include performances alongside rock 'n' roll greats such as Scotty Moore, James Burton, Billy Lee Riley, Jimmy Lee Fautheree, Eddie Bond and Little Richard and The Crickets, among others. Clendening's own band Eddie Clendening & The Blue Ribbon Boys have been in demand all across the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Longtime Chicago actor Tim Decker stars in the role of Sam Phillips. He has appeared at Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Next, Milwaukee Rep, Touchstone, Shattered Globe, Stage Left, Famous Door, American Theatre Company, and American Blues (where he received a Principal Actor Jeff for his work in Toys in the Attic), among others.

Kelly Lamont, playing Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne, is a native of Chicago's south suburbs. She previously appeared at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Shakespeare and L.A.'s Fullerton Civic Light Opera, among others.

Relevant Theatricals (Producer) is a commercial Production Company headed by Gigi Pritzker and Ted Rawlins, dedicated to developing new work for the stage. Current projects include: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, which premiered at the Guthrie Theatre and is on course to open in London next year; Snapshots, a new musical with book by David Stern and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; and a new musical version of Dennis The Menace. Relevant's sister company, Odd Lot Entertainment, develops and produces outstanding new film properties. Current Productions include the feature "Rabbit Hole," based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, starring Nicole Kidman and Dianne Wiest, and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Relevant Theatricals is proud to be part of the producing team that developed Million Dollar Quartet.
John Cossette's (Producer) more than 30-year career in the entertainment and music industry has earned him a respected reputation as an innovative and creative producer of large scale television shows and events. With John Cossette Productions, Cossette has produced Grammy Awards for the past 17 years and is the Consulting Producer on the Latin Grammy Awards. Cossette also produces five annual event specials for BET, including The BET Awards, which have become the premier event in Urban Music. Cossette has spearheaded a variety of corporate marketing events. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Cossette produced a series of 20 concerts for AT&T, which were attended by more than 2.5 million people. Cossette helped launch the American Express Blue Card with "Central Park In Blue with Sheryl Crow & Friends" featuring Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and The Dixie Chicks, among others. Among his numerous additional producing credits, Cossette is heavily involved in a number of charitable events. The winner of two NAACP Image Awards, Cossette has produced benefits for the House Ear Institute, The Concern Foundation for Cancer Research, MusicCares, The NARAS Foundation and the Society of Singers. He also helps to underwrite the E.J. Jackson Foundation to feed the homeless in South Central L.A., helping to feed over 15,000 people on Thanksgiving.