October 2, 2024 / Modified oct 3, 2024 2:23 p.m.

"The Million Dollar Quartet": Meet four performers filling some very big blue suede shoes.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Film Fest Tucson returns with independent and international cinematic gems; and "Stories that Soar!" explores the meaning and versatility of love.

million dollar hero 2 From Saguaro City Music Theatre's production of "The Million Dollar Quartet": Wyatt Andrew Brownell as Jerry Lee Lewis, Joel Dunst as Fluke, James Gallardo as Jay Perkins, Colton Sims as Elvis Presley, Tarif Pappu as Carl Perkins and Michael D. Potter as Johnny Cash.
Maria Gawne

Arizona Spotlight

October 3, 2024

NPR
(Download MP3)

Featured on the October 3rd, 2024 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • One legendary day in 1956, four of America’s leading music stars met and recorded a session together for the only time in history. Now the musical stage play “The Million Dollar Quartet” dramatizes the chemistry between Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, and it is being presented in Tucson by the Saguaro City Music Theatre. Meet the four young performers who will be filling some very big blue suede shoes.

million dollar hero 3 From Saguaro City Music Theatre's production of "The Million Dollar Quartet": Andrew Brownell as Jerry Lee Lewis,Tarif Pappu as Carl Perkins, Colton Sims as Elvis Presley, Michael D. Potter as Johnny Cash and Crystal Stark as Dyanne.
Maria Gawne

million dollar hero 4 From the "Million Dollar Quartet" Wyatt Andrew Brownell as Jerry Lee Lewis, Tarif Pappu as Carl Perkins, Colton Sims as Elvis Presley and Michael D. Potter as Johnny Cash recording a song in AZPM's studio.
Ray Frieders

  • This weekend, Film Fest Tucson returns, two days of film presentations representing some of the best in independent and international cinema. Mark talks with the Fest co-director about what audiences can expect.

film fest tucson logo hero Film Fest Tucson brings an international roster of shorts and features to Tucson every year.
courtesy Film Fest Tucson

memoir snail hero Oscar-winning stop-motion "Memoir of a Snail" will be shown at Film Fest Tucson.
courtesy Film Fest Tucson

last rifleman hero Pierce Brosnan wears prosthetic makeup to appear older in "The Last Rifleman", which will be screened at Film Fest Tucson.
courtesy Film Fest Tucson

  • Plus, film essayist Chris Dashiell shares his enthusiasm for two of Film Fest Tucson’s standout selections, which both have local roots.
Film Essays with Chris Dashiell spot Chris Dashiell is a regular contributor to Arizona Spotlight.

space cowboy hero "Space Cowboys" a story about Joe Jennings' skydiving cinematography will be featured on the opening night of Film Fest Tucson.
courtesy Film Fest Tucson

the wall hero Filmed in Southern Arizona, "The Wall" stars Vicky Krieps as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. The film will be screened at Film Fest Tucson.
courtesy Film Fest Tucson

  • And, the Tucson non-profit Literacy Connects sponsors a group of performers and musicians called “Stories That Soar!”. They help young writers realize the power and potential of bringing their stories to life, for the stage, video, and radio. We are now presenting these stories on the first Thursday of every month here on Arizona Spotlight.

This month’s Stories That Soar! was written as a collaboration between an entire 2nd grade class. When asked "What does the word love mean to you?,” the students shared that love is something that can be found anytime, in everyday moments with their family, friends, pets and the world around them.

Aspiring student-age writers can submit their stories to The Magic Box Story Portal now!

AZILL Stories that Soar! hero An important aspect of the Tucson non-profit Literacy Connects, "Stories That Soar!" wants aspiring school-age writers to realize the power and possibility of bringing their stories to life across all mediums.
Arizona Illustrated

Web page by Sophia Hammer.

Arizona Spotlight
Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Saturday at 3:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.
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