The downtown streets of Historic Gettysburg are decked out handsomely in anticipation of the Gettysburg Christmas Festival, an annual three-day celebration that drew 15,000 visitors last year to “the Boro’s” small-town charm.
But even before the lovely tree lighting ceremony this Friday (12/5) in Lincoln Square kicks off, or before Santa, carolers, reindeer and a host of delightful street entertainment appears on scene for the weekend, the Caledonia Theatre Company has begun rocking the season with an electrifying Totem Pole Playhouse production of “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” at the Majestic Theater.
A popular spinoff inspired by “The Million Dollar Quartet” jukebox musical (with book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux), “The Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” (with book by Colin Escott) opened to a full house in Gettysburg on Wednesday.
The concept for both “Quartet” musicals — which premiered in 2006 and 2021, respectively — stemmed from a seminal moment in rock and roll history, when (on Dec. 4, 1956) Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins recorded more than 30 tracks during an impromptu jam session at the Sun Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
Directed here by the Caledonia Theatre Company’s Producing Artistic Director Ryan B. Gibbs and Brady Wease, with excellent musical direction by Scott Moreau (appearing as Johnny Cash) and exciting choreography by Alyssa Little, the Caledonia Theatre Company presents a captivating mix of rock, rockabilly, country, gospel and blues performances in a reimagination of the true-life encounter.
Entering the meticulously restored, historic Majestic Theater, it is easy to feel transported back almost 70 years to the day four major talents intersected, likely by pure chance, in a moment that made music history.
The intricate set — beautifully staged with gold records mounted on the wall, a recording booth window, a Christmas tree in the corner, neon stage lights that add glitz and a lit replica of the Sun Studio logo/sign shining bright — adds a powerful sense of place.
The equity actors portraying the quartet are wonderfully convincing visually and vocally.
Alessandro Gian Viviano as Elvis, Sam C. Jones as Carl Perkins, Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash, and Alex Burnette as Jerry Lee Lewis look and sound their character’s public personas to a tee. The sole female character, based loosely on Elvis’s Vegas showgirl paramour at the time (Marilyn Evans), Caroline Hanks as Dyanne holds her own with lovely vocal numbers. Her “Santa Baby” is a standout.
Viviano has perfected the hip gyrations that earned Presley the nickname, “Elvis the Pelvis,” Jones as the “King of Rockabilly” kills Carl Perkins’s unique guitar style, Moreau’s “Ring of Fire” is a nostalgic knockout, and Burnette attacks Jerry Lee Lewis’s piano with incredible signature energy and physicality in songs like “Chantilly Lace” and “Jingle Bells.”
Musicians Michael Lucchetti as Fluke (bass) and Joe Schaefer as Brother Jay (drums) add savvy authenticity to the illusion. And Sam Little as the Hall of Famer Sam Phillips — a pioneer producer known for discovering many legendary 50’s rock and roll artists — delivers a charismatic father figure.
Adeptly costumed, “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” is presented first as a play followed by a concert with stellar performances throughout that can barely be contained in the spacious Majestic Theater. The characters reveal their dreams, their human flaws (June Carter’s name, but not her affair with Cash, is mentioned) and their deep connection to their music in memories of Christmas’s past and dreams for the future.
Throughout the play and the concert, traditional songs such as “Santa Claus is Back in Town,” “Blue Christmas,” “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” “Silent Night,” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree/Jingle Bell Rock” enliven the Christmas theme with pure rock and roll joy.
Familiar nonseasonal hits like “Don’t Be Cruel” (Elvis), “Cotton Top” (Carl), “Chantilly Lace” (Jerry Lee), and “Ring of Fire” (Johnny) remind us of the power of music to evoke memories and tug heartstrings.
One of the most striking aspects of this production is the sheer energy consistently rolling off the performers — this show bursts with musical intensity. Totem Pole Playhouse has stated that it is proud to contribute to the Gettysburg Christmas Festival celebration, and “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” presents a joyful and nostalgic experience for Gettysburg visitors and locals alike.
Continuing through the Festival this weekend and into next week, “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” is a perfectly timed tribute to a season as wild and wonderful as the legacy of four exceptionally talented artists to rock and roll.
“Million Dollar Quartet” continues at 2 p.m. on 12/4, 12/6–7, 12/10,12/13–14; and at 7:30 p.m. on 12/5–6, and 12/12–13.
To purchase tickets, visit Million Dollar Quartet Christmas or visit the Box Office in person at the Majestic Theater, 25 Carlisle St, Mon–Fri, 3–7:30 pm, Sat 12–7:30 pm, Sun 1–5:30 pm. For more information, call (717) 337-8200 during box office hours.
“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide.
Other credits include Isaac Gudgeon (Art Director, Propsmaster, Designer), Corey Goulden-Naitove (Lighting Designer), Jonathan Stiles (Technical Director), Kate Wecker (Sound Designer), Kia Armstrong (Production Manager, Assistant Stage Manager), and Fern-Maire Aames (Costume Designer).
Aligned to the intense preparation typical of Totem Pole Theatre, understudies are prepared to take the stage if/when announced.
Above photo by Andy Smetzer Photography. Caption (from left to right): Alex Burnette as Jerry Lee Lewis, Caroline Hanks as Dyanne, Sam C. Jones as Carl Perkins, Alessandro Gian Viviano as Elvis Presley, Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash, and Michael Luchetti as Fluke.
