Elvis People, with Avenue Q's Gelber, Begins Off-Broadway Run June 6

By Andrew Gans
June 6, 2007

Doug Grissom's Elvis People begin previews June 6 at 8 PM at Off-Broadway's New World Stages/Stage 1.

Directed by Henry Wishcamper, the production will officially open June 21. The cast features Jordan Gelber, Jenny Maguire, David McCann, Nick Newell, Nell Page and Ed Sala.

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.