As an official bio-musical, Heartbreak Hotel, now onstage at the Marriott Theatre, doesn’t dig for revelations about the life of Elvis Presley. It hits the familiar beats, glosses over the affairs and frames the story as Elvis surveying his rise to fame and fall into irrelevancy as he prepares to take the stage for his triumphant 1968 comeback TV special. Dramatic limitations aside, this is a fun night at the theater, complete with slick dance moves, a strong Elvis (Broadway veteran Tyler Hanes) and hit after hit from the King’s stellar catalog.
Directed and choreographed by Deidre Goodwin, with music direction by Ryan T. Nelson, the show tends toward an earnest recounting of Presley’s life: devotion to his mom, early fascination with the blues and other “race” music, rise with Sun Records, transition to Col. Tom Parker’s ruthless management, Army service, and marriage to Priscilla.
But Heartbreak Hotel also features a very funny extended sequence in which we see Elvis taking on increasingly ridiculous film roles at the Colonel’s behest. That’s also when we get a spirited cameo by Alexandra Palkovic that reminds us why Ann-Margaret was such a Hollywood whirlwind and every bit the match for a high-octane Presley.
The music is the real star throughout, with catchy performances of dozens of Elvis hits, ranging from “That’s All Right,” “All Shook Up” and “Heartbreak Hotel” to “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Suspicious Minds.” Just when you think you’ve heard all the big songs, up pops “Burning Love” or “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
By centering the music, Heartbreak Hotel takes its cue from the lyric “a little less conversation, a little more action,” and we’re all the better off for it.
Heartbreak Hotel runs through May 31 at Marriott Theatre.
For a full roundup of reviews of this show, visit Theatre in Chicago.
Photo by Justin Barbin.
