Million Dollar Quartet marks rock milestone

Toronto stage show Million Dollar Quartet is the story of a one-of-a-kind recording session in 1956 that brought together rock n roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.

But it also marks another milestone for Toronto theatre goers the final show by Dancap Productions.

Founder Aubrey Dan, who launched the commercial theatre company in 2007, announced earlier this year that he was re-evaluating his involvement in the theatre business.

"In the absence of good quality musical theatre shows for next year," Dancap is planning no new shows after the end of the current season, Dan said in May.

The company had brought touring shows from Broadway, such as Million Dollar Quartet, and produced hits such as Jersey Boys, which ran for two years.

CBC News talked to cast members of Million Dollar Quartet about the show, whichasks the lead actors who play Presley, Cash, Lewis and Perkins to play and sing in the style of the rock n roll greats.

Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records and a man often described as the father of rock n roll, had called Carl Perkins, who wrote and recorded Blue Suede Shoes, to his Memphis studio to play with Elvis, who would make the song into an even bigger hit.

They were joined by Cash, already a country star, and Lewis, then just a session player who was hired to tinkle the ivories, in a memorable jam session.

The show features a string of early rock and country hits, including That's All Right, Sixteen Tons, Great Balls of Fire, Walk the Line, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, Who Do You Love? and Hound Dog.

Million Dollar Quartet plays at the Toronto Centre for the Arts until July 29.