It's now or never! Elvis: A Musical Revolution will premiere in Australia later this year, with full authorization from Elvis Presley Enterprises. Unlike many Presley related properties, this is the first Presley biomusical to be licensed by his estate, including access to his vast catalog of hit songs.
Elvis: A Musical Revolution will premiere at the Sydney State Theatre in July, before a Melbourne engagement in September. Tickets for both engagements will be released in March.
Featuring the production team behind Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, The Wedding Singer, and Bring It On: The Musical, Elvis: A Musical Revolution will be led by David Venn. Elvis: A Musical Revolution will feature more than 40 Presley songs from his catalog, the musical will explore the life of Elvis Presley, from his impoverished childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi through his wildly successful 1968 Comeback Special.
Elvis Presley is an American cultural icon, with more than 149 songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100, including 18 Number 1s, which spent a total of 80 weeks on the top of the charts. He holds the record for record for most Top 40 hits at 114, and is the best selling solo artist of all time. "Jailhouse Rock", "Hound Dog", "That's All Right", "All Shook Up", "Suspicious Minds", "Heartbreak Hotel", "Burning Love", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Good Rockin' Tonight", "Earth Angel", "Don't Be Cruel", "Are You Lonesome", "Blue Moon of Kentucky", "See See Rider", "Can't Help Falling In Love", "A Little Less Conversation" and more have been licensed from Presley's catalog for the biomusical.
David Abbinanti and Sean Cercone have written the book for the musical, with Abbinanti also orchestrating and arranging the piece, as well as providing additional music and lyrics.
Presley-themed musicals are nothing new; the classic Strouse and Adams musical Bye Bye Birdie was based on national reaction to Presley's being drafted into the army (with the character of Conrad Birdie serving as a satirical stand-in for the singer), his music has been adapted into a non biographical jukebox musical, All Shook Up, and Presley appears as a main character in the historical musical Million Dollar Quartet.
Information on casting and the creative team will be announced at a later date. A national talent search will be held to cast Presley; interested applicants may find more information on ElvisTheMusical.com.au.
