Endstation Theatre brings Million Dollar Quartet to Randolph

Preview performance Thursday in the Hampson Commons at Randolph College

When Randolph music professor Randy Speer dreams, sometimes the soundtrack to his unconscious state is the music he’s directing for an upcoming show. Since he is spending part of his summer as music director for Endstation Theatre Company’s production of Million Dollar Quartet, his head has been filled lately with the greatest hits of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash.

Million Dollar Quartet opens at Randolph on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Thoresen Theatre. Speer has been rehearsing the music with Endstation actors for the last several weeks.

Randy Speer

“Probably what I’ve enjoyed most is getting to know the individual actors,” Speer said. “This is an immensely talented cast, and in rehearsal process I’ve been able to just take time and observe each one of them specifically and watch what they bring to the table, and it’s a lot.”

The production follows the story of December 4, 1955, when each of the legendary rockers found themselves together in the studio at the same time and unwittingly produced a piece of rock n’ roll history. The show features some of the artists’ greatest hits, opening with Blue Suede Shoes and ending with a mini-concert.

Speer has witnessed the actors get more and more into character with each rehearsal and has been impressed with their musical abilities.

“I’m working with some fantastic musicians,” Speer said. “I’ve never worked on a show before where about two-thirds of the cast has already done the show before and has this kind of talent. It’s been a real pleasure to be able to move at such a fast pace during rehearsals.”

Endstation is Randolph’s theatre-in-residence. The partnership, begun in 2015, brings productions like Million Dollar Quartet to the College and the Lynchburg area and also provides students apprenticeship opportunities, workshops, and access to Endstation’s nationally known specialized designers, technicians, and artists.

To purchase tickets, or to find more show times or information about the Million Dollar Quartet, please visit https://www.endstationtheatre.org/million-dollar-quartet.