‘Heartbreak Hotel’ Is Music-Filled Tribute With Star Power
An energetic look at the rise of a cultural icon, Heartbreak Hotel brings Elvis Presley’s story to life with standout performances, familiar historical moments, and a dynamic stage presence.
I have to admit, I don’t know very much about Elvis Presley. He rose to fame before my time, so I know what most people know. He became a sensation as a young man, liked peanut butter and banana sandwiches, married a young Priscilla, had a daughter, developed a drug problem, and died in a bathroom. Now, Graceland celebrates his life and legacy. With this opportunity, I was looking forward to learning more about him.
The new production of Heartbreak Hotel at Marriott Theatre centers around the life of Elvis Presley. Receiving a guitar as a gift from his parents at age 11, young Elvis frequently ran down to the record store where he controversially asked for records by black artists. As a teen, accompanied by his high school sweetheart, Dixie, he was discovered by record producer Sam Phillips, who had some trouble marketing Elvis because he had a different sound from mainstream white artists. Eventually, he became popular, contracted with Colonel Tom Parker, and exploded onto the music scene, followed by films.
There is a lot of great music in this show, including favorites like “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “All Shook Up,” and “Jail House Rock.” With over 40 songs by Elvis or his contemporaries, you will have a bit of difficulty not singing along with all of the words that you know.
The show begins with projections, making it clear the time period you are in. With snippets of John F. Kennedy, the space launch, Martin Luther King, The Beatles, and screaming girls in an audience, Elvis is a perfect fit for what you might see next.
The ensemble is fantastic, but the clear standout is Tyler Hanes as Elvis. Embodying the larger-than-life superstar on stage and a more vulnerable man in his personal life, Mr. Hanes takes up much of the room when he is “on,” and sizzles through every encounter. The way he walks, dances, shakes his body, gyrates, moves his arms and legs, curls his lip, and spins on his toes all contribute to the impression of a man memorialized in countless pictures and videos.
With 60s and 70s-style costumes and attractive color combinations, you see everything from gorgeous church robes to country-western pastels to red and black performance ensembles. And then there’s Priscilla’s hair, high and long, enjoying some standout moments of its own.
Outside of Marriott Theatre’s control, I have some issues with the script’s flow. The way the structure is laid out, although full of talented performers and artistic choices, it doesn’t really ignite for about 20 minutes. I am sure that is purposeful, as “Elvis Presley the product” is what one would be waiting for, but the narrative and dialogue lag a little. And by the end of the show, there are still major questions for anyone who isn’t as familiar with Elvis. When did he marry Priscilla? When did he have a baby? Did he cheat with Ann Margaret, or what was that about? I found myself running to search for the answer to those questions afterward.
On an entirely different note, the actors were clearly having fun on stage. I love it when a singer spits a bit while singing, because it shows they are so involved in the moment and their performance that it’s just a side effect. In addition, in the performance I watched, there were a few other excellent mishaps. In one hilarious moment, Zac Richey, in character as a saucy businessman, found that the gum he was chewing had fallen on the floor. Knowing what his character would do, he picked it right back up and kept chewing, evoking amused reactions from everyone who noticed.
In another sequence, Trevor Lindley Craft’s Frank Sinatra and Elvis were performing on stage together. Tyler Hanes had to cough, and staying in character, he did, apologizing to Sinatra. Craft immediately followed this with his own cough, and the men laughed (both in and out of character), eliciting laughter from the audience, and continued with the scene. This is the bonus stuff, and I am always here for it.
Heartbreak Hotel is full of immensely talented performers, lovely lighting choices, period costumes, and great music, not to mention a star-making performance by Tyler Hanes. If you are familiar with Elvis, you’ll coast through the story; if you aren’t, I recommend looking into him afterward. Either way, though, you’re going to enjoy yourself.
Heartbreak Hotel runs for approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including one 15-minute intermission. This show is rated for all ages.
Marriott Theatre: Heartbreak Hotel – Heartbreak Hotel is playing at Marriott Theatre through 5/31/2026. Tickets can be purchased through the Marriott Theatre website or by calling (847) 634-0200. Marriott Theatre is located at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, IL.