'Million Dollar' chronicles rock history.

Byline: Paul Kolas

'Million Dollar Quartet'

Book by Coin Escott Floyd Mutrux, original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrux, directed by Eric Schaeffer, musical arrangements and supervision by Chuck Mead. At The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Performances Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Jan. 11 at 1 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Regular single ticket prices: $38-$68, group ticket prices for 50+: $32.30-$57.80, group ticket prices for 10+: 34.20-$61.20. Reservations at (877) 571-7469, or info@thehanovertheatre.org With Gabe Bowling, Scott Moreau, Colte Julian, Jacob Rowley, Bryan Langlitz, Laura Obenauf, Chuck Zayas and Patrick Morrow.

WORCESTER -- The jukebox musical is the fast food of American musical theater. It may not be good for you, but it sure tastes great, or in the case of "Million Dollar Quartet,'' which shook, rattled and rolled its way into Worcester's palatial Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts last night, sounds great. For all the nostalgia addicts still in severe withdrawal, in the wake of last year's triumphant production of "Jersey Boys,'' cheer up. Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott's cunningly fabricated entertainment is just the fix you need to get you through another cold New England winter.

On Dec. 4, 1956, a historic jam session took place in Memphis, Tennessee, at Sun Records Studio. It was one of those destined events that seemed to materialize out of pure luck. The recording impresario of Sun Records, Sam Phillips (Bryan Langlitz), forlorn over being forced to sell the contract of one of his former rising stars, Elvis Presley (Jacob Rowley), to RCA Records, in order to keep Sun Records afloat, is looking to revamp Carl Perkins' (Gabe Bowling) "Matchbox,'' by beefing it up with the piano- playing chops of newcomer Jerry (Colte Julian), whom Perkins puts down with country boy sarcasm. During the day, Elvis stops by for what was to be a casual visit, accompanied by his girlfriend, Dyanne (Laura Obenauf), followed by Johnny Cash (Scott Moreau) dropping in during a break from Christmas shopping with his wife.

What evolves from this combustible mingling of talent and personality is a pleasing mix of good natured ribbing, mutual admiration and, near the end of the show, a touch of wistful, sad melancholy, and, of course, great music. Bowling played Carl Perkins at Chicago's Apollo Theatre in 2008, and he is an exciting musician, ripping through his guitar with rockabilly gusto on "Matchbox,''...