A CMT television show inspired by the Tony Award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet will be shot in Memphis.
The show will tell the story of Sun Studio alums Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ike Turner and the man credited with making them famous, producer Sam Phillips.
The Tennessee General Assembly approved $4 million to incentivize Thinkfactory Media to produce <i>Million Dollar Quartet</i> in Memphis. That effort was led by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris and backed by Senator Reggie Tate, Representative Steve McManus, and Representative Curry Todd.
“The work resulting from the alliance between the Tennessee Entertainment Commission and the Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission convinced Thinkfactory Media Executive Producer Leslie Greif and Co-Executive Producer Barry Berg to shoot here,” said Memphis and Shelby County Film Commissioner Linn Sitler.
Filming will begin in late March. There will be a casting call on Saturday, February 13th at Humes Preparatory Academy Middle School (the alma mater of Elvis) at 659 North Manassas from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They’re hoping to cast all the leads — Elvis, Trixie Dean (Elvis’ girlfriend), Jerry Lee, and Ike — as well as supporting roles and extras. Those who attend the casting call are asked to come in 1950s hair and wardrobe.
