For a second summer, South Coast Repertory departs its indoor stages and travels some 20 miles south to set up on the outdoor plaza at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Under the seasonal presenting title “Outside SCR,” the theater’s al fresco attraction is “Million Dollar Quartet,” a musical hit on Broadway a decade ago.
SCR artistic director David Ivers offered a succinct explanation of this offering’s appeal: “It’s sheer-driven entertainment.”
The energetic show is a largely fictionalized telling of the real-life impromptu gathering of seminal rock progenitors Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for a Memphis recording session on the night of Dec. 4, 1956.
Beyond the fun, Ivers finds the piece to be “uniquely American.”
“I’m always interested in people’s stories and if those stories intersect where we are and the universality of the American experience, that’s promising algebra for me every time.”
To deliver on this upbeat equation, Ivers has made a seemingly wise calculation, bringing in director James Moye to helm the production.
With Southern roots from Virginia, Moye has not only directed the piece a few times, but also has acted in it on Broadway and on the road. Moye played the lynchpin character Sam Phillips, the original Sun Records impresario and producer who brought together the quartet to record largely gospel music.
Moye’s knowledge about the principals of the period is a likely key to the show succeeding.
While older readers may well recall the likes of Presley or Cash from yesteryear, the 48-year old Moye notes that across the past decade the collective memory of these early rock giants has waned.
Sounding a bit puzzled at even making the remark, he said during a recent phone interview, “even Elvis has now sort of faded from the cultural lexicon.”
Moye is well-versed, too, pointing out the differences among the foursome. In December 1956, he said, there was a definite pecking order.
“Elvis was basically a rocket,” Moye said. “He’d left Sun and was with (the national record company) RCA and already had No. 1 hits like ‘Hound Dog,’ ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and ‘Don’t Be Cruel.’ His first movie — ‘Love Me Tender’ — was out. His status was stratospheric.”
Still with Sun Records, the other artists were at different career points.
“Johnny (Cash) was probably the most profitable of the three at this point; “I Walk the Line” had been a No. 1 hit,” Moye said. “Lewis was starting out; he was basically a session piano player.”
“And Perkins was already declining. He was a one-hit wonder, and his major song ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ (which Presley would record and make into a bigger hit) was behind him.”
While “Million Dollar Quartet” has a narrative, Moye said he feels what makes the show work is tapping the vitality through performances of the 20-plus rock, country and gospel songs of the time. Casting — Moye’s responsibility, with SCR’s casting director’s help and Ivers’ final say — is crucial.
Asked what challenges he faced in filling the four roles with the right chops Moye seized on two of the characters.
“Man, it’s tough finding a good Jerry Lee Lewis! Jerry Lee’s requirements here, you need someone with a lot of energy, but not just a singer, also a piano player. Plus, on the acting end he handles a lot of the comedy in the show.”
Finding an Elvis is both essential and essentially impossible.
“If you never saw him, go on YouTube to see the real Elvis performing in the late ’50s, and in a minute you never forget him! So, I’m charged with finding someone in their mid to late 20s with a starting awareness of who Elvis was, so they can tap his presence.”
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Moye doesn’t have a great deal of experience with outdoor stagings, but he said “Million Dollar Quartet” is suited for the environment.
“I think the audience can be a much more active participant because there is a real music festival kind of feel. And this is just the perfect show for folks to be up and dancing all night long.”
Informed that Moye may be directing the best smelling “Million Dollar Quartet” ever, with breezes possibly wafting the fragrant smells from the day’s cook on acclaimed Heritage Barbecue’s outdoor smokers across the street, he cracked up.
“If you’ve ever been down on Beale Street in Memphis, there’s the same thing going on. This is definitely going to help transport the audience … boy, you bring some dry-rub ribs in to picnic on, this could be fantastic!”
‘Million Dollar Quartet’
When: Regular performances through Aug. 21; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays
Where: Mission San Juan Capistrano Central Courtyard, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano
Tickets: $25-42
Information: 714-708-5555; scr.org
COVID-19 protocols: No proof of vaccination/negative PCR test required. Masks are recommended, but not mandatory