Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash were brought back to life Saturday night at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center to perform as the “Million Dollar Quartet.”

In 1956, these four famous rock-and-rollers met for the first and only time at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, and the recordings from that night have become something mythical in stature.

“Million Dollar Quartet” is as close to seeing these four performers as you will ever get. And this rings true for a lot of young people who love the music of these iconic men.

The show itself is interesting and thought-provoking for a music lover — it takes the story of that famous night in 1956 and interjects it between and during some of the most iconic songs popular culture has ever seen.

“Million Dollar Quartet” opens with Lewis, Perkins, Presley and Cash tearing through a rendition of “Blue Suede Shoes,” a song written by Perkins that made Presley a national phenomenon.

This is also where the conflict of the show begins. Perkins and Presley start feuding, with a rambunctious Lewis sitting at the corner of the stage throwing verbal punches.

At least some credit must be given for even attempting to impersonate and recreate men as iconic as these four on stage. Even more must be given when it is done well, with a confidence and gusto that is not always seen in touring company musical actors.

This group of actors put on one of the greatest shows you will ever see.

Christopher Wren took on the whole persona of Carl Perkins, twitching and jumping with the music. Wren is also one of the best Rockabilly guitarists, playing iconic songs with his own sense of flair almost perfectly.

Evan Buckley Harris brought the booming bass of Johnny Cash’s voice flooding through the auditorium. While his portrayal of the “Man in Black” may not have been as close to perfect as other performers, he definitely brought the voice and the attitude that was necessary.

Skip Robinson had the task of reincarnating the king of rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis Presley. Robinson nailed everything from Presley’s voice to his walk and his dance. It was entertaining watching Robinson work as Presley and he got a lot of love from the Luhrs’ audience.

Jason Cohen was a man on the brink of implosion, performing as the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis. Lewis was known for his incredible energy while performing and Cohen brought that to the stage, laying backward across his piano, playing with his feet and kicking a bench across the stage.

The real “Million Dollar Quartet” would have been one of the most amazing live shows in rock ‘n’ roll history.

Unfortunately, the world will never know what kind of debauchery these four men could have caused together, but thankfully, those who love this music have actors like Cohen, Robinson, Harris and Wren to bring our favorite performers back to life and back into the spotlight.

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