​ Million Dollar Quartet Christmas Sparkles Like a Wrapped Present

Stepping into the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre for Million Dollar Quartet Christmas feels a little like opening a time capsule and finding it still humming, practically begging you to turn up the volume. This electrifying production—based on the legendary 1956 jam session at Sun Records—captures the magic of the moment when Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins collided for one unforgettable night of music history.

For this production, they’ve turned it into a Christmas show by adding popular holiday tunes, so it’s really like seeing a whole new production.

From the first strut of the bass to the final, roof-raising encore, this staging thrives on energy, charisma, and extraordinary talent. Director Scott Weinstein once again proves the Marriott’s gift for transforming its intimate, in-the-round space into a full-scale musical playground. You don’t just watch the story unfold—you feel the beat drum under your seat.

The cast is stellar, but especially JP Coletta as Jerry Lee Lewis, whose amazing work on the piano steals the show. Coletta truly captures the physical antics of Lewis as well as his larger-than-life personality and showmanship. Kudos also to Michael D. Potter as Johnny Cash, whose beautiful vocals add depth to the show. The show also stars Trever Lindley Craft as Carl Perkins, Colton Sims as Elvis, and Teah Kiang Mirabelli as Dyanne, an outstanding vocalist in her own right. Ross Griffin plays Sun owner Sam Phillips whose performance is admirable and touching.

Elvis brings a smooth swagger and a golden voice that glides effortlessly from tender to electrifying. Johnny Cash grounds the group with that unmistakable bass-baritone rumble, while Carl Perkins offers virtuoso guitar licks that remind you exactly why he was the “King of Rockabilly.”

Each of the four principal actors performs on guitar or piano, in addition to singing, and they’re joined by Jed Feder as drummer Fluke and Cody Siragusa as bassist Brother Jay.

But the real heart of the story belongs to Sam Phillips, the Sun Records founder whose dream and determination launched all four careers. His narration threads the evening together, giving the musical its emotional center and reminding us how fragile and fleeting these moments turn out to be in the end.

The score is a knockout: “Chantilly Lace,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Don’t Be Cruel” ignite the theater with a nostalgic heat that had audience members tapping their toes. Add to that a whole sleigh of Christmas songs like “Run, Rudolph, Run,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “Jingle Bells.” The choreography mirrors the era and the live band has an authentic concert feel.

Marriott’s stellar production values shine through—crisp sound, period-perfect costumes, and a set that artfully re-creates Sun Studio’s iconic checkerboard floor and wood-paneled walls. It’s immersive without being fussy, allowing the performers and the music to take center stage.

Million Dollar Quartet isn’t just a show—it’s a celebration. A celebration of the birth of rock ’n’ roll, of the artists who dared to change the soundscape, and of the serendipity that brought them all together for one miraculous night.

If you’re looking for an exhilarating, toe-tapping escape that leaves you smiling long after the final chord fades, head to Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre and let this quartet take you back in time. It’s pure musical joy—played loud, played live, and played with heart.

“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” is playing through January 4, 2026, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Running time: 100 minutes no intermission. For tickets, go to https://www.marriotttheatre.com/show/million-dollar-quartet-christmas.