A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On

Heartbreak Hotel – Broadway in Chicago

 

In early January of 1956, a young Elvis Presley recorded a song entitled “Heartbreak Hotel.” He was backed by his band, The Blue Moon Boys, with Chet Atkins on guitar and Floyd Cramer on piano. The song was the first on Presley’s new recording label and it became popular enough to occupy Billboard’s Top 100 chart for seven weeks. This fledgling pop singer originated a new style of music called rockabilly, by fusing together the r&b of gospel, the twang of hillbilly country music with good, old rock and roll. 

Flash ahead to 2017, when Floyd Mutrux, the playwright who created such theatrical hits as “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Baby, It’s You,” created another biographical jukebox musical, advertised as “the prequel to record-setting, Chicago favorite, “Million Dollar Quartet.”’ This new show, set primarily in Memphis, Tennessee, focuses on the early career of Elvis Presley, from 1954-57. We meet a shy, young singer as he’s first discovered, managed and recorded by Sun Records’ Sam Phillips. Elvis becomes so popular that “Colonel” Tom Parker, another far more mercenary recording manager, cons Phillips into selling him Presley’s contract, in return for paying off his old debts. The young singing sensation, who would later be nicknamed The King, rose to fame and fortune in just 18 short months, under Parker’s guidance. But in doing so, Presley lost his privacy, his girlfriend and some of his personal identity as he was groomed to become an international recording, TV and movie star.

Not nearly as engaging as “Million Dollar Quartet,” writer/director Mutrux’s book could use much more structure and tightening. The plot languidly strolls along between musical numbers, which are all sensational and the real star of this show. Presley’s hits, such as the title song, “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and many others, make this show an exciting piece of musical theatre.  

The story is narrated by real life Memphis disc jockey, Dewey Phillips, who’s played with energy and charismatic likability by Chicago’s Colte Julian. However, this multitalented young actor seems to be unfortunately wasted in this thankless storyteller role. Another likable actor, Matt McKenzie plays Sam Phillips with so much care and sincerity. In direct contrast, Jerry Kernion, an actor with a long list of film and TV credits, brings his own brand of bombastic bluster to his portrayal of Colonel Parker. Lovely Erin Burniston wins the heart of the audience as Dixie Locke, Elvis Presley’s longtime high school sweetheart. She particularly impresses when, finally Ms. Burniston belts out her gorgeous rendition of “Blue Moon.”

Geno Henderson is simply fantastic in the roles of Chuck Berry, Roy Brown and others. Takesha Meshe Kizart and Katherine Lee Bourne play multiple singing roles and all but steal the show from its star with their brilliance and vocal power. Alicia McCracken Morgan, Andrea Collier, Darcy Jo Wood, Matt Cordina, Zach Lentino and Jamie Pittle also bring their A-game to this production with their boundless energy and musical talents.  

As Elvis Presley, Eddie Clendening certainly has all the right moves, facial expressions and sounds almost exactly like The King when he sings. Clendening’s weakness, however, is his acting; he tries too hard to mimic Presley’s quiet, unassuming vocal pattern to the point where the he’s almost impossible to hear, let alone understand. His indulgent, slow pacing often bogs down the book scenes, and the audience grows restless until he delights with another of Presley’s classic musical numbers.

A jukebox musical stuffed with so many classic hits is bound to be entertaining and toe-tapping. This show is all that, and more, when the music is playing, but its narrated style of storytelling makes it feel choppy and disconnected. Some judicious reworking of the book and a shot of adrenalin for its star and this could be another hit musical, with “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”

Somewhat Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas  

 

Presented July 12-September 9 by Broadway in Chicago at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 East Chestnut St., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayinChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.