Written by Bill Culp and Dave Tufford

Starring Kevin Jollimore, Dave Tufford, Bill Culp, Djino Le Francois and Jim Yorfido

London City Music Theatre

October 16-18

***/4

On December 4th 1956, at a storefront studio at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis Tennessee, fate brought four young legends-in-the-making together for an impromptu recording session that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock and roll jam sessions of all time. Good Rockin’ Tonight! is the story of that fabled occurrence and the Louisiana Hayride radio broadcasts that helped introduce Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley to a multitude of adoring fans. Many of the classic rockabilly hits from the formative years of Rock and Roll are featured as the five talented multi-instrumentalists on stage act and sing their way through this exciting moment in the history of popular music hosted by Sam Phillips at his Sun Records location.

The stage is set with a recording booth, tape machines, microphones, appropriate signage and musical instruments including a large double bass. After a voiceover introduction, we meet Sam Phillips (Kevin Jollimore) and his resident trio as they support the fledgling efforts of Presley, Perkins, Cash and Lewis who are all as eager find that new sound as Phillips is to find his fortune.

The record producer never makes a million dollars and the acting in the show never really gets beyond the level of impersonation as many of the characters are played by the same three or four musicians returning in different coats and hats. Much of the schtick and informational banter between songs is amusing and occasionally corny but the musical numbers are authentic and excitingly raw in their delivery. Elvis’ That’s Alright Momma and Carl Perkins’ Blue Suede Shoes are cooked to perfection as served up by Djino Le Francois and Bill Culp respectively.

Dave Tufford shows his virtuosity on guitar, as Sun sideman Scotty Moore, doubles up on upright bass then blows the house down on piano as Jerry Lee Lewis performing Great Balls of Fire. Johnny Cash lives in the voice of JimYorfido who comes the closest to mimicking the genuine article but the gyrations and exuberance of the young Presley embodied by Djino Le Francois wins the day during his rendition of Don’t Be Cruel.

A live radio broadcast from K.W.K.H. Shreveport, Louisiana provides the background for the second act complete with commercials, phone requests and audience participation whipped up by host, Horace ‘Six Gun’ Logan. Highlights include a crooning Elvis getting close and personal with Love Me, a rousing refrain from the audience during Carl Perkins’ My Gal Is Red Hot, and a visit from Roy Orbison.

Shows like Good Rockin’ Tonight! may not provide the greatest depth in acting, but the lesson in popular culture, the recreation of the excitement of an era-gone-by and the stirring musical numbers certainly add up to solid entertainment. Check out the coming attractions at London City Music Theatre.

Dean Hall is an actor, director and retired theatre educator with over forty years experience on the stage.