"Million Dollar Quartet" Reviewed

Above, the Sun Studio Cafe with the "Million Dollar Quartet". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last November, I took a tour of the famous Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. It was the studio where Elvis Presley was discovered.

At the studio, several large photos of the "Million Dollar Quartet" decorated the inside and outside. It was of a jam session that included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.

In Edinburgh, Scotland, there is currently a musical play about this historic jam session and it is reviewed by The Edinburgh Reporter.

They wrote:

1956 was a memorable year. Not only did Hearts win the Scottish Cup (come on, I need something to lift my spirits) but at the end of the year there was a chance meeting of four of the greatest musicians ever to grace this planet. 

Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley were all in the studios of Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. The owner of Sun Records, Sam Phillips was desperate to keep many of his rising stars under his wing although he sold the rights to Elvis to RCA Records the previous year. Thus, on a December day in 1956, they all played an impromptu set at Phillips’ studio. It was the only time these four legends played together. 

Based on the book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, Million Dollar Quartet tells the story of this incredible meeting This fabulous musical is on at the Edinburgh Playhouse all this week and is, quite simply, brilliant.

When I spotted the title of the review, I thought the review was for the CD recording of the jam session. I bought a copy at Sun Studio. The CD has been available for several years and it is fascinating to listen to.

To read more, go here.

Jim Beaver's "Verdigris"

Above, Jim Beaver at last summer's Superman Celebration luncheon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A nice note was received this evening from actor/writer (and George Reeves fan) Jim Beaver (Deadwood):

I don’t know if you’re aware that my play VERDIGRIS is running at Theatre West. We’ve played 5 weeks and only have 2 left (we close April 26). The reviews have been rather extraordinary, and I’m deeply, deeply proud of this production.  In addition to writing it, I’m in it, too.

I should have sent this weeks ago, but I’m always running behind.  I hope, though, that you can manage to see this.  It’s something I would be deeply grateful for.  We have particular need of a strong audience this weekend, especially Sunday the 19th at 2 pm.

I wasn't aware of Jim's play until I received his note. In checking the website for Theatre West, I found the play to be interesting and I am going to try to attend Sunday's performance.

If you are in Los Angeles and would like something to do and have a good time doing it, you ought to head over to Studio City (the theater is across the 101 Freeway from Universal City).

For details, go here. 

"Burai - Standing All Alone" Opening April 25

Three friends of mine, Kyoko Okazaki, Yuu Asakura and Masa Kanome, will be in a new Japanese samurai play starting in April:

Looking for a unique theatre? Interested in Japanese Katana, Samurai, Kimono, Geisha, Sword Fight, or all of the above? If so, this is the place to be! 

BURAI -Standing All Alone-
an original scripted drama, is a Japanese Samurai Play performed in English.

 "There once was a young man who had never held a sword before.
 Now it is time for him to face his destiny..." 

 We will take you to Japan in the 1840s, where samurais still existed. Experience the authentic sword fighting right in front of your eyes. Time travel with us and witness the world of BURAI! 

 At: Theatre Theater
 5041 W. Pico Blvd,
 Los Angeles, CA 90019 

 April 25th (Fri) 8pm
 April 26th (Sat) 8pm
 April 27th (Sun) 2pm
 May 2nd (Fri) 8pm
 May 3rd (Sat) 8pm
 May 4th (Sun) 2pm
 May 9th (Fri) 8pm
 May 10th (Sat) 8pm
 May 11th (Sun) 2pm
 Tickets at the Door：$25
 Online Pre-sale (Eventbrite): $20 + Fees

 http://www.eventbrite.com/e/burai-standing-all-alone--tickets-9456583897?aff=es2&rank=1&sid=9b328a1c607311e3aa181231381b30f6

 Writer, Director, Producer: Naoki Fujiyama
 Assistant Director: Masa Kanome
 Assistant Producer: Kohki Watabe
 Choreographer: Keiya Tabuchi
 Stage Manager/
 Light and Sound: Mai Kobayashi
 Music: Mali Matsuda
 Costume Designer: Sueko Oshimoto
 Assistant Costume Designer/
 Photographer: Kentaro Terauchi
 Hair&Make Up Supervisor: Akiko Matsumoto
 Camera: Doug Ito, Tatsuya Suzuki
 Organizer: Kyoko Okazaki 

CAST 

Masa Kanome
Takuma Anzai
Richard Lee
Hiro Matsunaga
Toshiya Agata
Eiji Inoue
Toshi Toda
Sachiyo Kanbayashi
Nobuo Inubushi
Moeko Yamazaki
Miho Ando
Steve Huang
Naoyuki Ikeda
Akiko 亜希子 Katagiri
Yuu Asakura
Tatsuya Shirato
Ryota Tatsumi Keiko Ki-ki
Mika Santohi
Kyoko Okazaki

I will try to attend a performance. I usually work the nights it is being performed, perhaps I can swap shifts with someone.

Above, from left are Kyoko Okazaki, Armand and Masa Kanome in 2010.

Above, Yuu Asakura and Armand in 2010.