Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together attain to celebrate the holidays.  Sun Records rings with sounds of the season and the chart toppers that made the Million Dollar quartet famous.  The gang is back and up to their usual antics as we journey through stories of Christmas past, present and future!

Ticket prices:  $55 adult; $50 senior; $25 student

DID YOU KNOW?  Ivoryton Playhouse offers discounted tickets on Thursday nights!  On Thursday nights at 6:00pm, tickets for that night’s 7:30pm performance can be purchased for only $25.  Limit four tickets per person.  Tickets available at the box office only, for that performance only.  Subject to availability. It is a mission of Ivoryton Playhouse to bring affordable, professional, high quality theatre experiences to our community.

 

JP Coletta* (Jerry Lee Lewis) is an actor and musician based out of New York City. JP is excited to return to Million Dollar Quartet: Christmas after doing the World Premier at Phoenix Theater Company. Credits Include, Nat. Tour: A Charlie Brown Xmas. Cruise Lines: Grease (Royal Caribbean), Million Dollar Quartet (Norwegian Cruise Line), Broadway Unplugged (Norwegian Cruise Lines). Regional Credits: Million Dollar Quartet (Various), Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, and Godspell (Infinity Theatre Company); White Christmas, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Sound of Music (Lincoln Park Arts Center); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Marion Theater) , Urinetown (Lost Nation Theater), and Sweeney Todd (Carnivale Theatrics). JP is also the creator and star of Rock and Roll Piano Man, a musical tribute to rock and roll piano players from Jerry Lee Lewis to Elton John! Proud member of the Actors Equity Association. For updates about JP, follow along at @jp_coletta on Instagram.

Margaret Dudasik* (Dyanne) is delighted to be back at Ivoryton after playing Reza in 2018’s Once. Nat’l tour: Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret (Texas). Off B’way: A Child’s Christmas in Wales (Irish Repertory Theatre). Select regional: Bright Star (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre), Million Dollar Quartet Christmas (Bucks County Playhouse), Almost Heaven (Riverside Theatre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (The MUNY), Smoke on the Mountain (Flat Rock Playhouse), Ring of Fire (German premiere, Deutsches Theater München).  Margaret is also an accomplished Irish fiddle and tin whistle player, having represented the US at the Fleadh Cheoil World Championships seven times. Proud Pace University MT. MargaretDudasik.com

Daniel Durston* (Elvis Presley) most recently appeared in the CBS reality TV show “Big Brother” and is a professional Elvis Tribute Artist at Legends in Concert in Las Vegas. He originated the role of Elvis in the world premiere of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas and is honored to revive the role here at Ivoryton Playhouse. Other Elvis Presley credits include: Elvis: A Musical Revolution (world premiere, originated), Million Dollar Quartet (AEA national tour) and Adam Ruins Everything (TruTV). Daniel has also created the first and only tribute show featuring Elvis and Marilyn Monroe “The King & Marilyn” and the new rock musical 1996: Lost Without You, an original story told through the music of BLINK-182.
www.danieldurston.com | @danieldurston

Mark Gehret (Brother Jay) is a bassist from Old Saybrook, CT and is thrilled to be performing at Ivoryton Playhouse, where he has also played for musicals including: Burt and Me (2019), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (2022), Jersey Boys (2023) and The Color Purple (2023).  Other notable theatrical credits include local performances of National Tours of 42nd St. (2003), Annie Get Your Gun (2001), Copacabana (2000), Kiss Me Kate (2002) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (2004). From symphony orchestras to musical theatre, from jazz trios to 21-piece big bands, and from all-original music groups to country cover bands, Mark enjoys playing a wide variety of musical styles. He has backed numerous notable talents over the years including: Frankie Avalon, Wayne Burgeron, Petula Clark, Bob Dorough, Fabian, Eartha Kitt, Nellie McKay, David Pittsinger, Don Rickles, Mike Renzi, Patricia Schuman, Donn Trenner, stars of the Lawrence Welk show, and Tom Wopat. For more information, please visit: www.markonbass.com.

Ben Hope* (Sam Phillips) is thrilled to be back in Ivoryton for the next installment of Million Dollar Quartet! Hope, a songwriter, producer, director, and actor, made his Broadway debut in 2012 as the lead in the Tony Award-winning musical Once. He has also traveled the world portraying notable musical greats such as Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, George Jones, Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, and other traditional musical theatre roles. Ben and his wife, Katie, relocated to Connecticut this year to join the staff at Ivoryton Playhouse and are excited to be a part of the Ivoryton family. Ben’s NYC-based Honky-Tonk band Ben Hope & The Uptown Outfit released their debut album ‘Ragged & Rowdy’ in 2015. Learn more at benhopemusic.com.

Scott Moreau* (Johnny Cash) is from Litchfield, ME, and holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University. Ivoryton Playhouse debut! He is pleased to do his first production of MDQ Christmas, having played Johnny in MDQ more than 1,200 times.  TV: Boardwalk Empire (Young Jim Neary) Series Finale. Tours: MDQ 1st National (Johnny Cash) Regional: MDQ (Johnny Cash) Regional Premiere at Ogunquit Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse, STAGES St. Louis; Fantasticks (El Gallo), ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival; Ring Of Fire (Scott) Portland Stage, Actors’ Playhouse, Florida Studio.  Scott’s tribute to Johnny, Home Of The Blues, was recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis and is available for purchase in the lobby.  Thanks to Ben, Katie, and The Collective! Love to his parents, Leonard and Donna, and his wife, Sonia. www.ultimatejohnnycash.com @ultimatejohnnycash

Sam Sherwood* (Carl Perkins) is thrilled to be back in beautiful Ivoryton this holiday season. Previously on this stage, Sam has been in Stand By Your Man, The Road: My Life with John Denver, Once, Godspell and most recently Ring of Fire. Sam was in the world premiere production of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at Phoenix Theatre two years ago and performed it again last year at Bucks County Playhouse. NY Theater: Woody Sez (Irish Rep), Fancy: A Country Musical. Regional: Bright Star (Arrow Rock Lyceum); Escape to Margaritaville (Engeman Theater, Actors’ Playhouse); Almost Heaven (Riverside); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Lost Highway (Flat Rock Playhouse); Many productions of Million Dollar Quartet, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and Ring of Fire. TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Dakota Singerline (Fluke)  is a freelance drummer and percussionist based in Connecticut and New Jersey. He has extensive performance experience in a variety of settings and styles and is a graduate in music from William Paterson University. Dakota has played with a number of theater organizations, bands, concert and orchestral groups live as well as in the studio.




Director:  Katie Barton

Musical Director:  Ben Hope

Stage Manager:  James Joseph Clark*

Scenic Designer:  Martin Scott Marchitto

Lighting Designer:  Jessica Drayton

Sound Designer:  Jonathan White

Costume Designer:  Elizabeth Saylor

* member of Actors Equity

Visit the Brightest Village in Connecticut

Saturday, December 2nd, from 5pm – 8pm

Looking for a different way to celebrate Christmas? Then head down to Ivoryton for the 12th Annual Ivoryton Illuminations on Saturday, December 2nd from 5pm to 8pm. The entire village of Ivoryton will be participating in this Holiday Extravaganza with carol singing, Santa’s Grotto and the lighting of one of the states’ largest living Christmas Trees.  Ivoryton will be lighting up the holiday with over 500,000 lights throughout the village!

The Illuminations will shine brightly through January 5th and visitors can tune their car radios to 101.5FM and watch as the lights dance to the music!

If you want to experience some real Christmas cheer, then come and join the party in Ivoryton, the brightest village in Connecticut!

For more information, visit us online at www.ivorytonalliance.org

Check back here for press releases, photos and video clips!

Whole Lotta Shakin’ around the Christmas Tree!

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS

In 2017, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, celebrating Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, was the hottest show on the Shoreline and a sell out for Ivoryton. The Tony-winning musical brought to life a legendary session that occurred on December 4, 1956 at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.

Ivoryton Playhouse is excited to announce the return of the rock ‘n’ roll legends – Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash – together again to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Sun Records, now decked out in all its Christmas splendor with a Christmas tree, garland, and mistletoe, rings with the sounds of the season and the chart toppers that made these four famous. Follow along with the gang’s usual antics as we journey through a story of Christmas past, present, and future

This jukebox musical, written by Colin Escott brings that legendary night to life with a seasonal score of songs including “Blue Christmas”, “Go Tell it on the Mountain”, “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree”, “Silent Night”, “Jingle Bell Rock” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

This production is directed by Katie Barton and musical directed by Ben Hope, who is also playing Sam Phillips. Katie and Ben are husband and wife who were last seen together on our stage in 2015 as Tammy and George Jones in STAND BY YOUR MAN: THE TAMMY WYNNETTE STORY. Audiences may also remember Katie’s beautiful performance as the Girl in ONCE in 2018. Ben will be reprising the role of Sam Phillips, which he played here in 2017.  Set design is by Martin Scott Marchitto and lighting design by Jessica Drayton. Costume Design is by Elizabeth Saylor and sound design by Jonathan White.

Our production stars: Ivoryton favorite Sam Sherwood* (ONCE; GODSPELL, THE ROAD – THE JOHN DENVER STORY; RING OF FIRE) as Carl Perkins, JP Coletta * as Jerry Lee Lewis, Scott Moreau* as Johnny Cash, Daniel Durston* as Elvis Presley, Margaret Dudasik*(ONCE) as Dyanne, Ben Hope* as Sam Phillips, Dakota Singerline as Fluke, and Mark Gehret (Ivoryton resident bass player now on stage!) as Jay Perkins.

For BIG BROTHER fans out there, Daniel Durston was a houseguest on BIG BROTHER 24. He is generally considered the villain of the season by houseguests and fans but in Ivoryton, Daniel is the much beloved Elvis and a “hunka-hunka burnin’ love!”

Don’t miss the experience of this show live on stage at the Ivoryton Playhouse.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse on November 16^th and runs through December 17^th. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Check our website for specific dates and times – there are no performances on November 22, 23 and 24 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Tickets are $55 for adults; $50 for seniors; $25 for students and children, and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org

(Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

About Ivoryton Playhouse: Ivoryton Playhouse is a renowned small professional theatre in South Central Connecticut. For many years, it has been a beacon of creativity, culture, and intimate theatrical engagement. The theatre is committed to presenting exceptional productions and creating unforgettable experiences for audiences of all ages.

For more information, interviews, and press inquiries, please contact:

Ben Hope, Executive Producer: ben@ivorytonplayhouse.org. 321.303.0110

Looking for something to do? Ivoryton Playhouse was voted best place to see live theatre in 2023 by readers of Shore Publishing Newspapers. Come to Essex and visit our historic, professional theatre – a Connecticut treasure!