Million Dollar Quartet prequel, Heartbreak Hotel, opens tonight

Chicago, IL - Heartbreak Hotel, follows the tender story of Elvis Presley in the early years of his career as he and Sam Phillips create the music that will forever change their lives. As Elvis's career skyrockets, both lifting and shattering the lives of those he loves, a secret love story is revealed, a betrayal is discovered, and "Colonel" Tom Parker changes the course of history, all in just 18 short months.

To musical features hit songs from the King himself as well as the legends who influenced his iconic music, with chart-toppers including "Blue Suede Shoes," "That's All Right," "Shake, Rattle and Roll," and, of course, "Heartbreak Hotel." This is where the story begins... "take a walk down lonely street."

The musical premieres today, Sunday, July 15, at Broadway In Chicago's Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut) and runs through September 9th.

Eddie Clendening, who originated the role of Elvis in the acclaimed production of Heartbreak Hotel at the Ogunquit Playhouse, plays Elvis in this Chicago production. Broadway World called Clendening's performance at the Ogunquit "spectacular." The Portland Press Herald remarked, "Clendening channels Elvis's unforgettable vocals with an uncanniness that brings thrilling goose bumps..." and the Boston Post Gazette hails, "[Clendening] is able to rock out with the raw energy of Presley while always retaining that shyness that made him so charming."

Heartbreak Hotel is written and directed by Floyd Mutrux (Million Dollar Quartet) whose screenwriting and directorial credits include American Hot Wax, The Untouchables, Urban Cowboy, Up In Smoke, American Me, Ford Fairlane, Blood In Blood Out, Mulholland Falls, and Hillside Strangler. The show's creative team will include Birgitte Bjorum (Choreography), Adam Koch (Scenic Design), Jason Lyons (Lighting Design), Drew Levy (Sound Design) and Daniel Brodie (Projection Design), John R. Banister and Keith Harrison (Orchestrations and Arrangements) and Tom Vendafreddo (Music Direction).

The full company includes Jerry Kernion as Colonel Tom Parker, Matt McKenzie as Sam Phillips, Geno Henderson as Jackie Wilson, BB King, Ike Turner and others, Matt Codina as Scotty Moore, Colte Julian as Dewey Phillips, Zach Lentino as Bill Black,

Jamie Pittle as DJ Fontana/Drums, Erin Burniston as Dixie Locke, Darcy Jo Wood as Marion Keisker, Katherine Lee Bourné as Rosetta Tharpe and others, Takesha Meshé Kizart as Ruth Brown and others, Andrea Collier as Sally Wilbourn and others, Alicia McCracken Morgan as Gladys/ensemble, and Chuckie Benson, Briana Bower, Tommy Malouf and Zach Sorrow as understudies/swings.

Individual tickets for HEARTBREAK HOTEL at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut) range from $35-$75 with a select number of premium seats. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.