Summer Theatre Under the Stars Returns to Historic Mission San Juan

Mission San Juan Capistrano and South Coast Repertory (Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Paula Tomei) announce the return of Outside SCR at Mission San Juan Capistrano this summer, July 30-Aug.21. This year’s production of Million Dollar Quartet, book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, original concept and direction by Mutrux, chronicles a momentous day in December 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis played a jam session for the ages.

Directed by Broadway veteran James Moye, Million Dollar Quartet is the sole Outside SCR production in this second summer of partnering with the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.

“Patrons of SCR will be enthralled with the Mission San Juan Capistrano’s unique setting and members of the Mission will be captivated by South Coast Repertory’s incredible theatrical production of Million Dollar Quartet. Together, we will marry our best assets to create something magical and worthy of experiencing. We can’t wait to welcome theatregoers who are discovering our partnership for the first time and seeing them leave with an experience to remember always.” says Mission San Juan Capistrano’s executive director Mechelle Lawrence Adam.

Million Dollar Quartet tells the story behind a seminal moment in rock history, when four rock-and-roll legends met by pure chance at Sun Records in Memphis. That spur-of-the-moment meeting turned into one of the most memorable jam sessions in the history of music. The Memphis Press-Scimitar newspaper chronicled the session the next day under the headline “Million Dollar Quartet”.

“In Mission San Juan Capistrano, we found an ideal partner that shares SCR’s passion for community and culture,” Tomei said. “As we head into our second summer of this initiative, we are excited to collaborate with them once again to share this extraordinary musical theatre experience with audiences.”

The music in Million Dollar Quartet transports audiences back in time to the dawn of rock-and-roll, with more than 20 celebrated classics such as “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Sixteen Tons”, “Long Tall Sally”, “I Walk the Line”, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Hound Dog” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”.

Moye’s directing credits include three productions of Million Dollar Quartet, and he appeared as music impresario Sam Phillips in the 2011-12 off-Broadway production. His acting credits also include the Broadway or off-Broadway productions of Tootsie, Dear Evan Hansen, Aladdin, On the 20th Century, Bullets Over Broadway, Ragtime, A Tale of Two Cities, The Full Monty and Urinetown.

“To experience this inspiring story, bursting with the energy and music of four rock-and-roll legends, in the beautiful surroundings of Mission San Juan Capistrano will be truly special,” Ivers said. “Outside SCR was born last year out of the need for families to experience world-class theatre in a safe, engaging setting and to connect with one another—and for SCR to engage with communities outside our Costa Mesa home. After an enthusiastic response to our first Outside SCR in 2021, we are elated to return to the Mission and the Southland communities that welcomed us so warmly.”

Outside SCR received generous support from Honorary Season Producers Michael Ray and Apriem Advisors, Honorary Producers Carolyn & Bill Klein, Lisa & Richard de Lorimier and Susan Shieldkret & David Dull, and Associate Honorary Producers Judy & Wes Whitmore.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $42, with special pricing for those age 25 and under. Single tickets may be purchased beginning March 14, either online at www.scr.org or by phone at (714) 709-5555. More information is available at www.scr.org.

Running July 30-Aug. 21 at Mission San Juan Capistrano. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

Summary

On Dec. 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins gathered for one night to play music and ended up making history. This Tony Award-nominated musical takes us inside one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions ever recorded with four legendary musicians doing what they loved most: expressing life’s joy and sadness through song. Described as “dazzling” by New York Magazine and “wildly entertaining” by Hollywood Reporter, Million Dollar Quartet will have you rocking down memory lane with more than 20 chart-topping hits like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line” and “Who Do You Love.”

ABOUT MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that features exhibits, five-language audio tour, festivals and public programming. As Orange County’s only mission, the site is home to Serra Chapel, the Ruins of The Great Stone Church (circa 1796) and original padres’ quarters. Founded on November 1, 1776, by Saint Junipero Serra as the seventh of 21 California missions established by Spain, Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and receives no church or state funding. The Mission Preservation Foundation, comprised of business and community leaders, is its fundraising entity committed to ensuring education, preservation and its long-term historic and religious significance.

ABOUT SOUTH COAST REPERTORY

Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964, is led by Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Paula Tomei. SCR is widely recognized as one of the leading professional theatres in the United States. While its productions represent a balance of classic and modern plays and musicals, SCR is renowned for its extensive new-play development program—The Lab@SCR—which includes one of the nation’s largest commissioning programs for emerging, mid-career and established writers. Of SCR’s more than 500 productions, one-quarter have been world premieres. SCR-developed works have garnered two Pulitzer Prizes and eight Pulitzer nominations, several Obie Awards and scores of major new-play awards. Located in Costa Mesa, Calif., SCR is home to the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, the 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage and the 94-seat Nicholas Studio. www.scr.org

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