Million Dollar Quartet Orlando Debut Filled with Dancing, Stobe Lights, and that 'I wish it was us' type of feeling

By Ken Storey

Just blocks away from Lou Pearlman's former office where so many artists dreams were crushed last night was a celebration of four artist, from another time and place, who with a small town record exec, one that actually seemed to care about his artist, made it big.  This is the story that Orlando dreamed of one day telling, though those dreams now seem about as likely as successfully hiding from the U.S. government at a beach resort in Bali.

Last night was the opening that everyone seems to be talking about.  Million Dollar Quartet made it's Orlando debut with a rock and roll party of a show.  The musical, in town through Nov 4th, is based around a now infamous recording session where the legends of rock and roll all gathered for one and only time.  

An actual photo of that historic night in 1956 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On December 4th, 1956 four legends gathered in the Sun Records recording studio for a jam session that has since become one of the greatest evenings in music history.  Elvis Presley (played by Cody Ray Slaughter, the 2011 ‘Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist), Johnny Cash (played by Scott Moreau), Jerry Lee Lewis (played by Martin Kaye) and Carl Perkins  (played by Lee Ferris of the former duo Freddy and Francine) gather with the man who made them famous.  The musical is filled from start to finish with all the great rock and roll hits you know, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "That's All Right," "Great Balls of Fire," "Walk the Line,""Who Do You Love?," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Hound Dog."

At points during the show the audience rose from their seats and the entire thing became more of a dance party.  Between this show and Halloween Horror Nights down the road I've got to wonder if there are any strobe lights left in Orlando.  The Memphis theme of the show begins even before the musical itself does with BBQ sandwiches and beer for sale in the lobby. 

The party continued last night with an after party, see the pictures below, at The Abbey on the other side of downtown.  The cast and crew seemed excited to be there and all had great things to say about the 'energy' of the audience.

Actor Martin Kaye, who plays Jerry Lee Lewis, with his wife, a former UCF student.

Scott Moreau shows his passion for Johnny Cash with his Cash inspired outfit.

Cody Slaughter and Lee Ferris.  This is actually Ferris's second Orlando visit, he also appeared in the pre-opening ads, which were filmed in Orlando, of Universal Studios that were shown nationwide in the late 80s.