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Yes, we are. Yes, we were. And even better, we're Elvis People, people!
The origins of Elvis People, opening Off-Broadway at the New World Stages this June are intricately interwoven with the Hippodrome State Theatre and its artists. Some years ago, veteran Hippodrome actress Nell Page gathered some of her fellow performers at her home to read aloud some material written by her brother-in-law, University of Virginia playwriting professor Doug Grissom. Doug had been working on many scenes, monologues and vignettes revolving around Elvis Presley and the people who knew him, had contact with him, or were otherwise affected by the Legend that was and is, Elvis.
Those of us who were there that night fell in love with Doug Grissom's collection of playlets, were bent double by its humor, moved by its drama and awed by its variety. Subsequent readings followed, with the playwright adding, deleting editing and revising various parts of the then, overwhelming amount of material.
Soon afterward there was a staged reading at the Hippodrome attended by local attorney and long-time Hippodrome patron Robert Rush. Rush became enamored with Elvis People and eventually became attached to the property as its chief promoter and producer.
There followed a professional production of the play at the Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, Virginia, in February of 2006. At about that same time Robert Rush aquired the services of Hippodrome actress/asst. stage manager/patron relations manager/development director, you-name-it-she-did-it-@-the-Hipp Emilee MacDonald to facilitate the mounting of a production of the play in Gainesville.
Elvis People, featuring Hipp actresses Nell Page & Susan Moring, with set design by Hipp alumnus Timothy Dygert, Lighting Design by Hipp resident designer Bob Robins, properties by our Lorelei Esser and Sound Design by frequent Hipp designer Graham Johnson opened in the Black Box Theatre of the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in May of 2006 (review).After that production, there were more rewrites, additions and deletions, and two more readings were staged, with the participation of Hipp actors Nell Page, Rusty Salling, Bryan Garey, Cady West Garey, & Cameron Francis.
And now, at long last, Robert Rush and Emilee MacDonald are mounting the New York production of Elvis People, opening June 21st, 2007, with previews beginning June 6th. The show boasts the following credits:We at the Hippodrome are thrilled for our friends and colleagues involved in this exciting production, and you can bet there will be a Hippodrome contingent of supporters there on opening night. We wish everybody involvedProducer: Robert Rush Associate Producer: Emilee MacDonald Featuring: Nell Page Lighting Design: Robert P. Robins Poperties Design: Lorelei Esser Sound Design: Graham Johnson
So, from the Hippodrome people, to the Elvis People, BREAK A LEG!!!
Planning a trip to NYC this summer? See the the show and say hi to the hometown folks in the big city. Reserve advance tickets here.
Friday, July 30