Sons of Sun - Elvis, Jerry Lee, Johnny and Me

Sons of Sun is a musical play about Sun Records, featuring songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and many more.

 

 

Much like the famous Sun Records label itself, the Australia rock and roll play, Sons of Sun – Elvis, Jerry Lee, Johnny and Me has become the little music dream that roared. 

 

In two years this play travelled from its debut at the humble Sandringham (Sando) Hotel in Newtown, Sydney to sold out shows and standing ovations at the Sydney Opera House. Sons of Sun is a musical play about Sun Records, Memphis, and the famous artists that started their careers there.

 

Told through the character of its founder Sam Phillips, his assistant Marion Keisker, and the famous musicians that Sam recorded, this Australian show features a three piece live band fronted by John Kennedy, performing thirty-five songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and many more. The tenacious Sam Phillips is played by Sydney actor, Matt Charleston, with co-stars Victoria Beck and Ben Maclaine taking on multiple roles from Sam’s assistant Marion Keisker to Howlin’ Wolf.

 

Sydney’s weekly The Music magazine described the show as, “An impressive troupe of professionals developing a rarely heard narrative with enthusiasm and simple creativity.” The show seamlessly blends the narratives and songs to produce a compelling, original and heartbreaking blend of rock’n’roll theatre. 

 

Sydney musician John Kennedy, of Love Gone Wrong fame began developing the Sons of Sun idea in 2011 with the release of his Sons of Sun Vol 1 CD. Award winning Melbourne playwright Kieran Carroll (The Giraffe’s Uncle, 3XY OR I DIE!) has written an accompanying script to Kennedy's beautiful renditions. 

 

Written by Kieran Carroll from an original idea by John Kennedy Directed by Louise Fischer. Originating Director: Neil Gooding Starring Matthew Charleston, Victoria Beck and Ben Maclaine. Music performed by John Kennedy, Murray Cook and Paul Scott.