Beef and Boards continues its 2025 season with Heartbreak Hotel, a tribute musical, directed by Jeff Stockberger, which frames the life and career of Elvis Presley. Through flashbacks, his story is unwound with featured scenes of his formative steps, his early musical development and his huge successes followed by his waning years. Elvis’s meteoric rise is portrayed not just as a triumph, but as a burden.
Based on a concept by Floyd Mutrus, who co-wrote Million Dollar Quartet, the wandering script by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti takes the audience on a sometimes-uneven episodic narrative through those years and events.
Luckily, it is the performances of Elvis’ vast catalog of hits that make this production a memorable experience. The absolute highlight of the show is the fantastic portrayal by Nicholas Voss of Elvis as an entertainer and a man. Presley’s look, his style, his mannerisms are all aptly captured here. Voss handles the many musical numbers with energetic style and true-to-The-King vocals. Elvis fans, and the audience seemed full of them, will be much pleased with what is offered here.
Sgt. Presley (Nicholas Voss) teaches Priscilla (Isabella Agresta) to play guitar. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)
Voss is joined on stage by an impressive array of performers. Outstanding work is done by Henry Kirk as Kid Elvis. Young Mr. Kirk shows off his fine vocal, acting, and dance talents in the many flashbacks to Elvis’ childhood. Multi-talented Sarah Hund is sweetly solid as Elvis’ mother, Gladys, Isabella Agresta nails the complicated Priscilla Presley role, and Reagan Cole Minnette swings through her Ann-Margret with a wonderful styling of the actress’ dance moves. Eddie Curry is perfect as Colonel Tom Parker.
A rather large ensemble of actors and dancers take up the myriad of roles in the story, all nicely polished by choreographer James Patton, with tuneful coordination at the hands of musical director Debby Myers and vocal music director, Michael Ray Fisher. The Act One finale of a graveside “Peace in the Valley” was moving and grand.
The scenic design by Shaun A. McIlquham – augmented by many projection touches works very well, while costumes by Kathy Henry and wigs by Andrew Elliot complete the picture.
Chef Larry Stoops extends the Memphis mood with a buffet including Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Black-Eyed Peas, and Collard Greens. Ess real goood!
Bottom line: Any shortcomings in the story structure are trumped by the cast’s fine performances. Mr. Voss’ rendition of Elvis alone is worth the admission price. But don’t delay – tickets for this one are dear!
Heartbreak Hotel continues at B&B through Oct. 12. Dates and times for performances can be found by calling (317) 872-9664 or by visiting BeefAndBoards.com.
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