The full lineup for the London production of rockabilly nostaligia-fest musical Million Dollar Quartet has been announced. The show, helmed by Eric Shaeffer, will begin performances at the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre on February 8 with an official opening February 28.
In addition to the previously announced Bill Ward in the role of Sun Records producer Sam Phillips, the cast will feature Ben Goddard as Jerry Lee Lewis, Derek Hagen as Johnny Cash, Michael Malarkey as Elvis Presley, Broadway vet Robert Britton Lyons as Carl Perkins and Francesca Jackson as Dyanne. Adam Riley and Gez Gerrard will round out the show’s band, and the show’s alternates are Kevin Mains, Matthew Empson, Oliver Seymour-Marsh, Justin Brett, Sharon Cox and Steven Bor.
Inspired by the famed December 4, 1956, recording session that brought together rock icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, Million Dollar Quartet recreates the legendary session and the story of the men who made it happen. With a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Muntrux, the production features a roster of classic rock and country hits, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”
Goddard has been seen on stage in Martin Guerre at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury and in Sunset Boulevard at both the Watermill Theatre and on the West End.
Hagen’s London theatre credits include ENRON, Carousel, Gone With the Wind and Wonderful Town. His television and film appearances include D-Da; Amazing Grace and The Tiger and the Snow.
Lyons created the role of Carl Perkins in the original and Broadway productions of Million Dollar Quartet. A singer-songwriter from Seattle, Rob has shared the stage with musicians including Pearl Jam; Harvey Danger; Santana and others.
Malarkey has appeared on stage in Eugene O’Neill’s Beyond The Horizon and Tennessee Williams’ Spring Storm at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton, which transferred to London's National Theatre.
Jackson starred as Petra in A Little Night Music at Le Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and other theatre appearances include Dreamboats and Petticoats, Can’t Smile Without You and Tonight’s The Night. She was one of the finalists in the BBC’s reality show I’d Do Anything.