Column: As it nears its one-year anniversary, Paramount's immersive ‘Million Dollar Quartet' still going strong

Chicago Tribune

08-07-2025

As a theater critic for Broadway World, Tina St. Angelo Wetzel has seen more than her share of thumbs-up productions in the Chicago area, which is why she rarely goes back to watch one a second time, 'even if I really like it.'
Then again, there's never been an award-winning hit show at a venue unlike any other until Stolp Island Theatre's grand opening last summer in downtown Aurora.
Which is why Wetzel has enjoyed 'Million Dollar Quartet' multiple times – 11 to be exact.
'It's like my once-a-month show. … I saw it twice in May,' she told me as the Paramount prepares to celebrate Thursday's one-year anniversary of the immersive 98-seat Stolp Island Theatre and its blockbuster musical about the impromptu jam session that took place on Dec. 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
'Everywhere I go I tell people to see it while they can,' said Wetzel. 'You can't beat the story itself … the music is incredible, of course, but the talent of this ensemble is amazing.'
And watching this cast perform in such a unique and intimate setting makes this experience that much more special.
Paramount Artistic Director Jim Corti is delighted but not necessarily surprised by Wetzel's level of fandom. He hears from many people who 'come back again and again' to see 'Million Dollar Quartet.'
Yes, it's that good. Take it from a non-critic like me who has enjoyed this show three times, most recently with my sister from California, who has yet to stop talking about it (and the enjoyable time we spent in downtown Aurora before and after this performance).
'How can anyone not love it?' stated an Aurora woman matter-of-factly as my younger sibling gushed over what she'd just experienced following that Sunday evening show.
It's a sentiment that's spreading, much by word of mouth. Which is why 'Million Dollar Quartet' has been extended through Jan. 4.
'I tell people to go before it's too late,' said Wetzel, who can easily be spotted in the audience wearing her signature keyboard scarf and a pair of good-looking blue suede shoes.
Wetzel is an uber-fan all right. But so are plenty of others. According to Paramount statistics, of the 35,676 tickets issued as of two weeks ago, audience members hail from 574 different ZIP codes in 32 different states. And those who have seen it more than once include a whopping 1,444 households,
Wetzel and I both agree the cast seems to be getting better, too. Rather than grow tired of doing the same show for so long – as can often be the case in theater, according to Corti – these singer/actors are even more energized, feeding off an affectionate familiarity with each other – as well as the audiences – that makes their performances that much more mesmerizing.
'They are honing their craft,' the director told me.
Plus, 'this kind of music never gets old,' Corti said, noting the kick he got out of watching a kid around age 10 'mouthing the lyrics to every song' in the show.
'This kind of rock 'n roll is finding a new audience,' Corti said. 'Families are coming together to share it. It's generational. That's what is thrilling.'
Speaking of new audiences, Corti also pointed out that because the music and the compelling true storyline make 'Million Dollar Quartet' so universally loved, it is 'drawing people into the theater for the first time,' which in turn is building subscribers for the Paramount.
As director of 'Million Dollar Quartet,' Corti has, of course, seen the show even more than 11 times, including last weekend's emotional goodbye performance for two actors: Sam Pearson, who's been playing Sun Studio president (and show narrator) Sam Phillips; and Haley Jane Schafer, whose roles included Marion (the recording booth girl) and understudy for Elvis' girlfriend Dyanne.
'I've never seen a live show so exciting. There were fans who knew it was their last show and wanted to give them such a send-off,' Corti recalled, noting the unique connectivity shared by the audience and performers.
'There was electricity in the air, like nothing I've ever seen.'
Wetzel also was in the audience – teary-eyed herself during that recent goodbye performance and noting lots of sniffles from those sitting around her as the 'cast was crying, trying to keep it together.'
It's no surprise after so many shows that Wetzel, who plans to be in the audience again on Friday when the new Sam Phillips (Max Stewart) and Marion (Maeghan Looney) make their Stolp Island Theatre debut, is so familiar with the cast that's she's even been incorporated into the show in small ways.
Which Wetzel, who does community theater herself, does not mind one bit.
'The running joke is that it took me 50 years to see 'Chorus Line' 15 times,' she said. 'When 'Million Dollar Quartet' ends on Jan. 4, that will be my 15th time.'
If it ends.
While there have been 'periodical' meetings about what would go into that unique specially-designed space once this show is done, 'nothing has yet to be determined,' said Corti.
As long as people want to buy tickets, he added, the show will continue.
Wetzel's advice: Go before it's too late because 'a fourth extension is seldom heard of,' and tickets are selling fast with 'people like me' going back again and again.
'It is not getting old,' Corti agreed. 'Million Dollar Quartet' seems to be 'taking on a life of its own,' he said. 'People keep returning and new people keep coming.'