By Kimberly Rau
The final show for Theatre by the Sea’s 2025 summer season is “Heartbreak Hotel,” a biographical jukebox musical that offers audiences a glimpse into the formative years of the King of Rock, Elvis Presley.
The show opens with a frustrated Elvis. Times are changing, and rock isn’t what it used to be. Worse, Elvis himself has lost the plot, and seems more focused on what money can buy than his art. Things are spiraling quickly when his younger self shows up to remind his adult counterpart of where he came from. Then it’s back to the 1950s, when an impressionable poor boy from Tupelo has nothing but music on his mind. From there, we follow his career from the first self-made record to becoming a major music sensation, including his career’s less-than-stellar moments (so many corny movies).
Elvis’ career may have had its ups and downs, but this production is an overwhelming hit. Though the book is weak in parts (the ending lacks much resolution), Nikki Snelson’s strong directing choices, along with her creative, fresh choreography, make this one of the best TBTS shows in recent memory.
Joe Hebel has Elvis’ mannerisms, vocal inflections and physicality down to a science. It’s clear he’s studied the artist, and his interpretation of the role, combined with a strong voice and talent for dance, goes a long way toward making this show what it is. His chemistry with high school sweetheart Dixie (Julia Fleckenstein) is so natural, you’d swear they were dating in real life. His tension with eventual wife Priscilla (Emma Wilcox) is equally believable, if less enjoyable to watch. (The show also glosses over the fact that their incompatibility was likely due the fact that Priscilla was 14 to Elvis’ 24 when they met, and not very much of an adult when they married seven years later.)
Hebel is blessed with a smooth, deep voice that works well with Elvis’ repertoire. His “Heartbreak Hotel” is as good as you could ask for, and he brought more than one audience member to tears on opening night with a beautiful rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which he sings to his infant daughter.
Speaking of children, the role of young Elvis is split between two actors who alternate performances. On opening night, we saw Laird LaCoste, an actor who is clearly going places. LaCoste can sing, dance and act, and handles the nuances of his role well. Young Elvis was particularly fond of a local Black-owned record store, and LaCoste’s rapport with shop owner Betty (Nia Simone Smith) is great. The scene where he attends church with Betty offers a good look into some of Elvis’ early inspirations.
Often, both Elvises are on stage together interacting. LaCoste’s disgust with some of his older counterpart’s choices is palpable at times, and in turn, Hebel is baffled by his childhood optimism. The two work well together to prove that you can never truly abandon your past (and you probably wouldn’t want to).
Fred Sullivan Jr. and Melanie Souza play Elvis’ parents, Vernon and Gladys. Elvis was especially close with his mother, and the exchanges between both Elvises and the family matriarch are sweet.
As Elvis’ story unfolds, a talented ensemble of strong dancers keep the action moving, literally flipping around the stage and showing off the hottest dance styles from Elvis’ prime. No chorus members standing around here! Everyone has something to do, and they do it well.
This show is a great introduction to one of the most influential musicians in modern music, with enough background to hook the unfamiliar, but plenty of little details for bigger fans. Cassie McKnight’s set is bright and streamlined, the costumes (Travis M. Grant) are just right, and the overall vibe is fantastic. This is a show with lots of talent, and even more heart. Check it out before it closes, and end your summer on a high note.
“Heartbreak Hotel” runs through Sept. 14, 2025, at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield. Tickets may be obtained at the box office, online at theatrebythesea.com or by calling 401.782.8587.
