Review: HEARTBREAK HOTEL at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL

How great to be known by one name…. Dixie Locke (Anna Louise Bramlett) says that to Elvis Presley about Marlon Brando before Elvis becomes one name. The current production at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre is Heartbreak Hotel. This tells the story of Elvis’ rise up to the 1968 Christmas (Comeback) Special. The story includes young Elvis (Charles Adler Bischoff in his professional debut), Colton Sims as teenage Elvis and as adult Elvis Tyler Harris. This gives some insight into the adult that Elvis would become. It also shows the unconditional love between Elvis and his parents, Gladys (Elizabeth Telford) and Vernon (Karl Hamilton). Rob Lindley portrays Col. Tom Parker.  Jackson Evans as Sam Phillips of Sun Records and Leah Morrow portrays Marion Keisker at Sun as well. What many people may not know is that Marion was very instrumental in getting Elvis on the Sun label. When Elvis returned from his Army tour, he famously performed with Frank Sinatra on Frank’s tv special. The duet they sang was performed. As the story moves through the timeline, we see the personalities of each of the principal players in Elvis’ life.  At one point, you might actually feel sorry for the Colonel. In another scene, Elvis’ treats his musicians horribly (due to drugs). As everyone pulled him every way, his marriage to Priscilla (Amanda Walker) disintegrates. A very touching moment occurs when Elvis is center stage alone holding “baby” Lisa Marie and sings Can’t Help Falling In Love With You. They got me. There are vignettes regarding Elvis’ movies. Viva Las Vegas has to include Ann-Margaret (Alexandra Palkovic). He made these movies because he needed money. The Colonel was the one who steamrolled Elvis to do the 1968 Christmas Special. Elvis didn’t want to sing Christmas songs so he made several changes. Think iconic leather suit.

Director/choreographer Deidre Goodwin brought all the pieces together. She even changed the Marriott circle by extending a performance area in front of the orchestra. This gets the performers out front into the house a great deal more. Musical director Ryan T. Nelson presents these classic songs with some incredible harmony and orchestrations in ways you wouldn’t expect. At the end of the show, designs from Collette Pollard, Jesse Klug and Tony Churchill are stunning. Will Elvis ever leave the building? I don’t think so especially with Marriott’s presentation of his rise. Will Elvis fans enjoy? Yes. That’s all right.