Beneath the red glow of a recording sign, eight people stand surrounded by their instruments and the music they have built their dreams upon.
Four of the most famous musicians of their time — Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins — come together in a miraculous jam session of “Million Dollar Quartet”, which rounds out the 2025-2026 season at the Hippodrome, a performing arts theater in downtown Gainesville.
The musical, which debuted in 2010, has enjoyed resounding success across the country, in part due to its connection to an era of music many people are familiar with. The Hippodrome last did a production of “Million Dollar Quartet” in 2019.
"Million Dollar Quartet" uses music to expand on the events of one of the most influential collaborations in music history. The show is based on a real event that took place in December 1956, which brought the four musicians together for a once-in-a-lifetime recording.
"I care a lot about this period of history and just what this music and time did to future generations of artists and musicians," said Brady Wease. He plays Jerry Lee Lewis and directs the music for the show.
Contained in the recording studio of Sun Records, the small cast of eight actors creates an intimate feeling throughout the musical, as if the audience is privy to the lives of the real people the story is about.
What makes the show special is the music, with the instruments played live by the actors themselves rather than an outside band or recording. Chris Bailey, the marketing director at the Hippodrome, said this aspect of the performance is “part of the magic,” with small slip-ups helping make the characters feel authentic.
Much of the set is kept simple, primarily relying on changes in lighting and the actors’ choices to tell the story and set the mood. Caroline Hanks, who plays the character Dyanne — a woman accompanying Elvis Presley to the recording — said the main component of the set is the instruments, a choice that emphasizes the importance of music to the characters and the history that accompanies them.
The show focuses heavily on the characters, spotlighting their interactions with one another and the music industry they work in. The actors create tension and touching moments throughout the show through conversations about their art, life and careers.
“You’re kind of pulled into the moment yourself when you come here and enjoy it,” said Jason Chambers, the lead electrician for the production.
This sentiment seems to be shared by the audience, with people standing and dancing during certain songs and even interacting with the actors in a few scenes. Eric Loscheider, who plays Sam Phillips, emphasized the importance of the audience to the overall feeling of the show.
The actors’ direct interaction with and proximity to the audience make the experience feel as much like a concert as it does a musical, he said.
“It's great to have people in the house,” he said. “It helps sustain the entire thing.”
The show offers a spot of fun coming into the summer months and promises to keep audience members engaged throughout its two hour run time.
The musical is set to run Wednesday through Sunday until May 24.
Contact Brandy Sumner at bsumner@alligator.org.
