-Brenda Hillegas
photo of Lucas Pastrana by Mark Garvin
Walnut Street Theatre’s 215th season kicks off with the North American premiere of Elvis- A Musical Revolution. See The King like you never have before in this entertaining musical that highlights Elvis Presley’s rise to the status of cultural icon. We all know he changed the history of music, and this is a close look at how!
Elvis- A Musical Revolution takes audiences on a journey from his childhood in Mississippi, the music that inspired him, and through his 1968 comeback special on NBC (his first television special). You’ll see the pivotal moments in his life and meet the people who surrounded him- his parents, manager Colonel Parker, actress Ann-Margret, wife Priscilla, and all of the R&B pioneers who influenced his songs. Dozens of his greatest hits like “All Shook Up,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “That’s All Right,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “A Little Less Conversation”, and so many more come to life on the Walnut stage.
Marking his debut at the Walnut Street Theatre as the King himself is Lucas Pastrana- absolutely fantastic. Elvis has been portrayed in so many forms since his death in 1977. It’s not an easy role. But Pastrana is perfect with his voice, mannerisms, style. Audiences will be in awe for the entire show.
Elvis- A Musical Revolution received a world premiere staging in Australia. The Walnut Street Theatre is the first in North America to produce the show. This is such a unique experience with screens on display that remind audiences what year and what event is unfolding in front of them. We go back and forth from his childhood to his rise to fame, hoping to gain more of an understanding of this incredible artist we lost too soon. The show itself doesn’t get into too much heavy stuff, we see much of Presley’s struggles but it does end on a high note- the way he should be remembered. This is actually the first biomusical to be licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises and the first Presley biographical project to be overseen by EPE led by his granddaughter Riley Keough.
Another reason why you must see this show- two-time Tony-nominee Jeff Calhoun makes his Walnut debut as director and choreographer. Calhoun was nominated for as choreographer for the Broadway revival of Grease (1994) and director of the Broadway adaptation of Disney’s Newsies (2012). Elvis- A Musical Revolution is a delight from start to finish thanks to the team behind it.
Elvis – A Musical Revolution runs through November 5, 2023. Open captioning will be available for the Sunday, October 15, 7pm performance. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.
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