The Orange Curtain Review Praises Million Dollar Quartet at South Coast Repertory

Million Dollar Quartet is now playing at South Coast Repertory (September 13–October 19, 2025), and The Orange Curtain Review praises the production as a high-energy tribute to Sun Records and the independent artists who helped shape early rock ’n’ roll.

The review highlights how the musical avoids relying solely on nostalgia, instead grounding the story in a real historical moment: the legendary meeting of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis at Sam Phillips’s Memphis recording studio. Framed against the pressures of a music industry increasingly dominated by larger corporations, the production emphasizes the risks, ambition, and creative drive behind Sun Records’ unlikely success.

According to The Orange Curtain Review, the show does not gloss over the complicated realities of music history, including the economic and racial inequities surrounding the commercialization of Black artists’ work in a segregated society. These themes add weight and relevance to the story, allowing the musical to resonate beyond its jukebox format.

The review singles out several standout performances, including Ana Marcu’s sultry rendition of “Fever,” described as a moment that commands the room with vocal precision and presence. Chris Marsh Clark’s portrayal of Johnny Cash is praised for capturing the singer’s iconic depth and gravitas, while JP Coletta brings explosive energy and musical prowess to the role of Jerry Lee Lewis. Together, the cast delivers performances that support the show’s seamless blend of live music, storytelling, and historical reflection.

As The Orange Curtain Review notes, Million Dollar Quartet succeeds as both an electrifying musical experience and a thoughtful look at a pivotal chapter in American music history—one defined by creativity, exploitation, ambition, and the enduring power of song.