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| Gregg Hammer photo by Reg Madison Photography |
by Gil Benbrook
Gregg Hammer knows a thing or two about Johnny Cash, having played Cash in not only the local premiere production of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at The Phoenix Theatre Company, which runs through January 2, but also in past productions of Million Dollar Quartet, including the one at The Phoenix Theatre Company two seasons ago, and also played him in Ring of Fire at The Phoenix Theatre Company last season.
In addition to his portrayals of Cash, Hammer also played another iconic singer, Buddy Holly, in Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story, as well as performed in over 50 countries while appearing in various tours, including Jesus Christ Superstar!, Million Dollar Quartet, and Burn the Floor. Hammer is an accomplished guitarist, as he demonstrates nightly in Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, a vocalist who has performed at many top venues across the country, including The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, and he's also co-written a new original musical, Hymon & Parfunkel: Behind The Musical, which recently received an industry reading in Los Angeles.
Hammer sat down between shows to answer some questions about Million Dollar Quartet Christmas and Johnny Cash.
For someone who isn't aware of this sequel to Million Dollar Quartet, what would you tell them it's about?
"It picks up right where Million Dollar Quartet left off. It really gets deeper into who these icons are as men as they use their memories of Christmas to take stock of their lives and careers. "
How familiar were you with Cash before you started playing him in your first production of Million Dollar Quartet?
"I would say I was very familiar with Johnny Cash, the performer, but unfamiliar with Cash, the man. "
What kind of research did you do on Cash before playing him?
"I watched as much footage of him performing as I could. That’s where he came alive. I read his autobiography as well, but didn’t want to know much beyond his life in 1956, since that’s when these musicals take place. I didn’t want to know anything more than he did at the time. "
What is the most interesting thing you've discovered about Cash, either in preparing for your first time on stage playing him or in the last few years in portraying him in these other productions?
"He was hilarious. Most people have this image of a serious, stoic figure, but he loved to joke and laugh with his friends. "
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| JP Coletta, Sam Sherwood, Gregg Hammer, Daniel Durston, and Amanda Valenzuela photo by Reg Madison Photography |
What is your favorite song to sing in the Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, and why?
"I love 'Silent Night' because it involves a very specific memory Cash has from his time in the Air Force while he was stationed in Germany. "
Why do you think this show, and these men, resonate so much with audiences today?
"It transports people to a special time in music. It’s very easy to take rock n’ roll for granted now, but all of these men had a hand in its creation. Seeing that come to life on stage brings smiles to nearly every face in the audience. "
What do you hope audiences take away from seeing Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at The Phoenix Theatre Company?
"This show is truly about the music. I hope people are so moved that they stand up and start dancing in the aisles!"
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