After numerous tours through the state, not to mention club and concert appearances by members of the original New York cast, “Million Dollar Quartet” is now rocking the state’s smaller theaters, with fresh productions that draw from the legacy of this historical musical about the superstar summit of rock and roll pioneers Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.
Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theatre has amassed a cast of “Million Dollar Quartet” veterans for its rendition, which runs Oct. 26 through Nov. 26. Dominique Scott has played Jerry Lee Lewis in Florida, Missouri and elsewhere. The single-named Cole was Elvis in the show’s Las Vegas cast. You may have seen Jeremy Sevelovitz play Johnny Cash this past summer at the Ivoryton Playhouse, but at Seven Angels he’ll be Carl Perkins, a role he’s rocked previously at the Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina.
So who’s Johnny Cash? Sky Seals, who’s walked the line in Rochester, N.Y. and Montreal, Canada among other places. Sun Studios owner Sam Phillips is played by Jason Loughlin, who played the part at the famed Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. Teresa Danskey is Dyanne, the only woman in the show. The locally rooted rhythm section consists of Hartt School alum Perry Orfanella on bass and WCSU alum Mark Ryan, who’s drummed for numerous Seven Angels shows.
“The Million Dollar Quartet” has a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on Oct. 26 through Nov. 26 at Seven Angels Theatre, 1 Plank Road, Waterbury. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $42-$58. 203-757-4676, sevenangelstheatre.org.
A Light In The Darkness
It’s “Rocky Horror” season. The midnight adventures of straight-laced Brad and Janet, caught in the leather-and-lace clutches of Frank N. Furter — began as a British stage spectacle before becoming the cultiest of all cult movies.
There are film screenings throughout the state, most with floor shows or costume contests (see ctnow.com/horrormovies). But some theaters are still dusting the cobwebs off the original stage version —”The Rocky Horror Show” as distinct from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
The stage musical is at the Bradley Playhouse, 30 Front St., Putnam for three performances, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m.; and Oct. 28 at 8 and 11:59 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $24. 860-928-7887 and thebradleyplayhouse.org.
Playing ‘The Game’
The Ivoryton Playhouse is awash in “The Game’s Afoot” from Nov. 1 to 19. The mystery comedy by Ken Ludwig is set just across the river from the theater, at the castle-like East Haddam home of William Gillette, the actor best known for playing Sherlock Holmes onstage and in silent movies over a century ago. At Ivoryton, the crime-solving Gillette will be played by Craig McDonald.
Performances at the playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton, are Wednesdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $50, $45 for seniors, $22 for students and $17 for children. 860-767-7318 and ivorytonplayhouse.org.
