The life of Elvis Presley is a source of many books, TV shows, and movies. The latest production by the Riverside Center For The Performing Arts, “Heartbreak Hotel” is a portrait of the late singer’s life from early childhood to his 1968 Comeback Special.
While the show has some issues with pacing and is somewhat loose with historical details, fine performances by the cast, superb choreography, and a kicking live band make for a very enjoyable experience.
The musical and dance numbers feature not just Elvis, but also the Black artists who inspired him such as Roy Brown (played by Leo Jasper Davis) and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (played by Tayandra Allan). Some of Elvis’ early hits are sung by the ensemble, with fine choreography directed by Jacques Linder-Long and Stephanie Wood.
Grayson Lewis, Luke Purcell, and Elliott Litherland portray Elvis as a young boy, teenager and adult, respectively, and each turns in an excellent performance.
All three actors have singing parts that help move the plot. Lewis is a student at T. Benton Gayle Middle School and is appearing in his debut acting performance. His rendition of “Peace In The Valley” in the finale of Act One shows that he has great singing as well as acting chops.
Luke Purcell feels like he was born to play the teenage Elvis. The freshman at Louisa County High School is a self-proclaimed superfan, having been inspired by the 2022 biopic starring Austin Butler.
“I think he’s the most charismatic man who ever lived,” Purcell said. “I’ve always just loved his music… I think it’s just fascinating how one person can have the world in the palm of their hand like that.”
“It was pretty funny because I had coincidentally been studying for this role for the past three years,” he added. “I’ve heard almost every Elvis song. I can sing almost every Elvis song. So there really wasn’t that much preparation needed because I’ve just loved him for such a long time. It was like the stars were aligning. I just went out there and showed all the work and practice I’ve been doing for the past two and a half years.”
Elliott Litherland carries the most dramatic scenes, showing Elvis’s fraught relationships with wife Precilla (played by Kiley Ernest) and his manager “Colonel” Tom Parker (played by Ian Lane).
This is Litherland’s first appearance at Riverside. He played the part of Gerry Goffin in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” in several regional theaters and submitted an audition video for the Riverside production last year, but was not selected for that role.
“That one didn’t work out but then I was doing a show in California, I got an email from my agent in early October,” said Litherland. “It was like ‘hey they want to throw you on tape for Heartbreak Hotel’. So I did the tape and then I had another interview, call back situation with Patrick [A’Hearn] and Jacquez [Linder-Long] and here I am.”
Although not familiar with “Heartbreak Hotel,” Litherland had played Elvis in another musical “All Shook Up” where he learned Elvis’ moves and singing style. He makes a distinction between playing Elvis as an actor versus being an Elvis impersonator.
“I’m doing some things to be him but I have my own vocal cords,” Litherland said. “I have my own hips and arms and knees. So we’re really just trying to capture the essence of him and give a good representation… I’m doing my best to give Elvis but at the end of the day, it’s me up there doing a show and I hope you all have fun during the numbers.”
Judging from the audience response at one of the first performances, the show succeeds in that aim. Some scenes include piped-in sound effects of crowds cheering — but the live theater audience nearly drowns out the recording.
“That’s why we’re here, Litherland said. “At the end of the day, if these people can hear these songs they grew up with and they’re having fun, the music always can always take yourself back there. It’s a special thing.”
If you go
“Heartbreak Hotel” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg
Runs until March 2. Tickets are $55-$82
