Players Guild move to KSU Stark opens with 'Million Dollar Quartet' and jukebox musical

JACKSON TWP. ? The "Million Dollar Quartet" quickly came to life during a rehearsal on the Players Guild stage at Kent State University at Stark.

Moments after the character of record producer Sam Phillips narrated the scene, four music icons stepped beneath the lights: Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.

And it was showtime, a jukebox in motion as the foursome tore into "Blue Suede Shoes."

Elvis quaking his hips and singing into a vintage microphone. Jerry Lee setting the piano keys ablaze with his fingers. Perkins strumming a guitar and singing with gusto. Cash joining in with his cool country boy aura.

Even while practicing out of costume, the actors teased at the '50s-era rock 'n' roll spectacle in store for the audience on opening night Friday.

More:Players Guild Theatre leaving Canton's Cultural Center for Kent State Stark

"Million Dollar Quartet" will mark the inaugural production of the Players Guild Theatre since its move in August from the Cultural Center for the Arts in downtown Canton to the KSU Stark campus at 6000 Frank Ave. NW.

Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. "Million Dollar Quartet" also will be shown at those times on the weekends of Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 28-30. Tickets are $34 to $45 each and available online through Etix and at https://www.playersguildtheatre.com/million-dollar-quartet.

The performances will be in the Mary J. Timken Theatre in the Fine Arts Building on campus. Parking is free.

"Million Dollar Quartet," a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, is set in 1956, and tells the story of a historic jam session among the legendary musicians and singers at Sun Studio in Memphis.

Ready to rock at new location

Joshua Erichsen, producing artistic director of the Players Guild Theatre, and Kent State Stark Dean Denise Seachrist both expressed excitement for opening weekend and the new partnership.

"I am so thrilled, and I have my ticket already," Seachrist said last week. "I'm going to opening night, and I think it's so great to start out with this musical that people know the characters, because they're part of the popular culture, and it's a fun show and it's an accessible show."

Faculty and others have been "so welcoming and so helpful," Erichsen said. "I think they are as excited having us as us being here."

Erichsen, however, admitted there's an unknown aspect to the move.

"I can't deny there's a little bit of anxiety," he said of leaving the Cultural Center after decades. "But the hope is we'll maintain an audience of people who know our work, (while attracting new theatregoers from the North Canton and Jackson Township area)."

Seachrist said she realizes that some fans of local theater are sad to see the Players Guild leave the Cultural Center because of the history.

"But I've heard from many more people saying how wonderful this will be for the Players Guild and for campus," she said, noting convenient parking will be among the advantages.

Students will be involved in future productions

Seachrist said "Million Dollar Quartet" is only the beginning of the expanded theatrical offerings.

Future productions will be integrated into the student theatre program, she said, noting the move also may result in an influx of younger theatergoers.

"It's a true collaboration," Seachrist said of partnering with the Players Guild, noting KSU Stark will now have more performances annually compared to when productions were presented by students and faculty.

Other shows will include: "A Christmas Carol" in December; "The Elephant Man" in January and February; "The Toxic Avenger" in March; "Misery" (based on the Stephen King novel) in April;" and "The SpongeBob Musical" in May and June.

Given the logistics of relocating so quickly, it wasn't possible to involve students with "Million Dollar Quartet," Erichsen said. Production work, including casting, also had occurred prior to the move, he noted.

Erichsen, however, said students will assist with future productions. Efforts are being made with faculty and the administration to build student interest and engagement, he said.

"We plan to offer practicum opportunities along with shadowing and mentorship programs," he said. "In addition, with open auditions now taking place on campus, all students will be able to audition for our productions. We are excited about our partnership for many reasons, but student involvement is one of our primary goals."

The Players Guild had initiated the proposal to become the resident theater on campus, Seachrist said. Under the agreement, the Players Guild leases space while the college is responsible for upkeep and maintenance.

Benefits will include opportunities for students in the music technology program to participate in theatrical productions, she said.

Possibilities also include offering a dinner with "A Christmas Carol" prior to the show at the KSU at Stark conference center, Seachrist said.

"Million Dollar Quartet" is an exciting way to launch the season at the new venue, Erichsen said.

"It's a fun show," he said during an interview before a recent rehearsal.

Leading roles are: Ben Arrington as Cash; Jordan Potter portraying Perkins; Jonathan Gruich as Presley; Olan Domer in the role of Lewis; Mike Burke as Phillips; and Kayla Arrington as Dyanne.

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Finding actors for the iconic roles was challenging, Erichsen said.

"There's an expectation," he said of the recognizable musicians. Actors also had to be able to sing and play guitars, too.

"There's no faking it," Erichsen said with a smile.

'It's a lot like going to a concert.'

Most of the actors already have been in Players Guild productions, including Potter, who had a leading role in "Ghost: The Musical" earlier this year. Kayla Arrington co-starred in "Ghost."

Domer, however, is a newcomer in his role as Lewis.

"It's a good mix," Erichsen said. "They're all veterans of theater, but there's a nice mix of new faces."

Actors honor the famous personalities without being a mere tribute act, he said.

Potter admitted the audience won't be as familiar with the character of Perkins.

"They don't have as clear of an image in their mind necessarily how he sounds," said the 27-year-old Green resident. "So that allows me to play around with it a little more."

Singing and guitar playing never let up throughout the entire show, he promised.

"It's a lot like going to a concert," Potter said.

Songs include "(There'll Be) Peace in the Valley, " "Down By The Riverside, " Great Balls of Fire," "Hound Dog," "Folsom Prison Blues" "Matchbox" and "That's All Right."

'An iconic moment in an iconic show'

The 31-year-old Ben Arrington is portraying Cash.

"I think it's challenging because people know Johnny Cash," the Mogadore resident said. "They know his voice, it's iconic. So people have their expectations, and I think there's a little bit of anxiety there to meet those expectations."

But he's also excited about the performance at the new home of the Players Guild.

"It's a little bit of an iconic moment in an iconic show," Arrington said.

Domer, 21, a music major at the University of Mount Union, played the lead role in the school's production of "Pippin."

Domer admitted to being a little nervous when he first took on the role of Lewis.

"The jazz and improvisational style were not something I was used to," the Carrollton resident said.

While the show is loaded with more than 20 songs, "Million Dollar Quartet" also tells the story of the individual artists and develops their characters, including exploring the business pressures Elvis faced while others endured personal losses , Domer said.

Presley, Lewis, Cash and Perkins are humanized, and "we've got some tough moments through the show as well," he said.

'They have to say, 'That's Elvis.'

Gruich, 28, of Cuyahoga Falls, said he has spent many hours researching the persona of Elvis, including his electric performance style and distinctive singing.

"My dad is a huge fan of Elvis, so he's kind of my motivation to deliver on stage," he said.

Gruich said he's only become a bigger Elvis fan while learning the role.

"That's all I listen to right now," he said with a grin.

"That twang and just timbre I had to get," said Gruich, whose previous roles include the lead in the Players Guild production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Learning dance moves came more naturally, he said, citing his background and work as a personal trainer.

"But it's such an iconic voice," Gruich said. So when people close their eyes, "they have to say, 'That's Elvis.'"

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and [email protected]

On Twitter @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Players Guild premiere at KSU Stark sizzles with Elvis, Jerry Lee