By Andrew Gans
06 Jun 2007
Doug Grissom's Elvis People begin previews June 6 at 8 PM at Off-Broadway's New World Stages/Stage 1.
The creative team also includes Cameron Anderson (scenic design), Teresa Squire (costume design), Robert Robins (lighting design), Graham Johnson (sound design), Erin Kennedy Lunsford (wig, hair and make-up design), Maya Ciarrocchi (video and projection design) and Lorelei Esser (properties design).
"No performer before or since," read Elvis People press notes, "has had the impact of Elvis Presley: from that first groundbreaking appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' to Las Vegas to Graceland; American Demographics reports that 84% of all Americans say their lives have been touched by Elvis in some way. Now, in this new play . . . you will meet some of the funny and touching cast of characters whose lives were forever changed by 'The King' as [playwright] Grissom traces the influence of Presley on our culture."
Elvis People plays Tuesday-Saturday evenings at 8 PM, with matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. Tickets, priced $41 (previews) and $65 (after opening), are available by calling (212) 239-6200.
A special performance will be held Aug. 16 on the 30th anniversary of Presley's death. The evening, priced $99, will also include a post-show reception and talkback.
Jordan Gelber created the role of Brian in the Tony-winning musical Avenue Q. He was also seen Off-Broadway in the world premiere of The Polish Play.
New World Stages is located in Manhattan at 340 West 50th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.
