Feature: TOMORROW, TONIGHT AN EVENING WITH ELVIE ELLIS at The Sooner Theatre

In life, we often ask why things happen the way they do. Elvie Ellis found that understanding through song. A true storyteller indeed found a way to connect with an audience that is all too familiar but different at the same time. Always drawing a connection to home, this home in Oklahoma starts with something we are all too familiar with: tornadoes. 

The first connection in his world was May 3, 1999, the biggest natural disaster we'd ever experienced at the time. "How can something so beautiful (Oklahoma skies) cause so much destruction?" All in the audience who were around at the time could remember exactly where and when we were. Leading into "Beautiful City" from Godspell, the connection Elvie found in figuring out his own loss (in the storm) as a child that day: We come together and rebuild. 

Taking us through his life, our next stop was on the road to where he's currently stationed as a Principal Standby on the Angelica Tour of Hamilton. 

"What does it take to be a leading man?" A very interesting history lesson on Broadway casting and height requirements back in the day. Drawing from his own personal experiences due to this requirement, we all say you should be able to play any part you want, and it doesn't matter how tall or short you are. If you have the talent to back it up, just like he does, put him in, coach! 

Ok...back to the regularly scheduled program. 

The journey on tour behind the scenes is not one many get a chance to experience in our lifetime, and Ellis mentions one of the top questions asked is "what is it like on tour?" He gives us a deeply honest and hilarious take on what his experience has been like in shows like Jesus Christ Superstar, Waitress, or even Hamilton, where even the smallest step on the wrong turntable can land you front and center instead of in the back of the stage. It was a beautiful way to bring us all back in and place us in those moments with him. The hard roads to climb getting that big break after saving enough money, making it to New York finally, but that joy was quickly dimmed for Ellis by March of 2020. That's right, the pandemic. We all knew exactly where we were when the entire world shut down. The light went dark on Broadway, and how an artist in Elvie's case could survive being stuck in that tiny New York apartment, unable to work or see friends and family. He brought us all back into something that caused pain. We survived and turned the lights back on the next year. 

Another major highlight was bringing in students from the Sooner Theatre to sing "Wait for It" from the show Hamilton. Having seen Hamilton quite a few times, you can really understand Elvie's connection to the lyrics of the song. The audience, the students, and Elvie himself waited for that moment until it was time to shine in our respective fields. Despite all the adversity we've faced, it prepares us for something greater in the future. 

A lesson from a storyteller who has already done big things in life, and we can't wait to see you do even more amazing things in life! Keep making Oklahoma Proud, Elvie!

You can catch Elvie Ellis in the North American Tour of Hamilton here in Oklahoma City until Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 7:30 pm in the Civic Center Music Hall.