Becoming The King (Derby Dinner Playhouse)

Pictured: Taylor Thomas, Lars Haffel, Zamar Malik Griffin, Donnalesly Fondjo (back), and Bryant Cobb as Elvis (front)

Heartbreak Hotel Created by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti, with a concept by Floyd Mutrux Directed by Tina Jo Wallace

Review by Brian Kennedy

Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Brian Kennedy. All rights reserved.

A fun, energetic romp through the history of the King of Rock’n’Roll is to be seen as Derby Dinner Playhouse presented Heartbreak Hotel.

Bryant Cobb had the Elvis voice and the swagger down during the Tina Jo Wallace-directed Heartbreak Hotel. Thankfully, Cobb didn’t perform Elvis in the way many impersonators do. Cobb found Elvis’ soul and bared it for the audience to see. He showcased Elvis caring deeply for his mother Gladys (Rita Thomas, who had wonderful chemistry with Cobb) and then-girlfriend Dixie (Katelyn Webb, also showing great chemistry with Cobb). Even as he became famous, Elvis attempted to be a “regular guy”, including walking to get the mail as well as accepting being drafted into the Army.

Eventually, Cobb showed Elvis as human, beaten down from the constant pressure of fame, competing to stay on top, and, mostly, his manager Colonel Tom Parker’s (Gregory Maupin) insistence that Elvis keep going. Maupin deployed controlling, stardom-focused, money-grubbing tactics that made Parker an excellent antagonist.

All is not lost for the older Elvis, thankfully. Kid Elvis (Axel Luce on Wednesday night) acts as a reminder of his past life. In flashbacks, Luce infused Elvis with the appropriate excitement at getting his first guitar and listening to early rock-n-roll records. Luce was a joy to watch.

As the show goes back and forth between the kid and adult Elvis years, the stage is lit to show what time and place it is. For those in the front rows, it’s good to see. For those sitting further back, these are nearly impossible to see without standing up.

Other characters came in and out of Elvis’ life, bringing forth the appropriate choices for each scene. Sam Phillips (Drew Jacobson), Elvis’ early record producer, was hilarious with his sarcastic comments, especially when they were directed at Parker. Vernon Presley (J.R. Stuart), Elvis’ father, was very caring and supportive of his son, especially in the early years.

Of course, being an Elvis bio-musical, there were Elvis songs and plenty of them. Dozens of songs from Elvis’ career up to 1968 were performed, most importantly the Act I closer "Peace in the Valley" and a later song "Can’t Help Falling in Love." Cobb gives the right emotional tone to these songs, especially when the ensemble powerfully backs him on the former. Cobb also brought the necessary hip-shaking swagger to songs like "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock," making those brief performances easy highlights of the show.

Then, there was a scene between Elvis and Ann-Margaret (Kaitlyn Sage). The two performed a sultry version of "You’re the Boss," a song cut from its parent movie Viva Las Vegas but saved for the Derby Dinner show. Their obvious chemistry made a later argument between Elvis and Priscilla (Eliza Hallal, who also had genuine chemistry with Elvis) all the more believable.

Heartbreak Hotel doesn’t tell the whole Elvis story. However, the musical is a sometimes fun, sometimes emotional, but always entertaining look at the King that should delight his still many adoring fans.

Heartbreak Hotel

Derby Dinner Playhouse August 12- September 27, 2026 525 Marriott Drive

Clarksville, IN 47129

812-288-8281

www.derbydinner.com