Many keen to play Elvis

Press, 30 March 1987, Page 4

Many keen to play Elvis

PA Wellington Telephones have been running hot since the announcement of a national search for two performers to play Elvis Presley in the musical tribute, “Are You Lonesome To night?” Encore Productions, Ltd, announced last week the national tour of the show, and said it would use only New Zealand performers and production crews. The production, which will open in Wellington on June 18 for 3 l / 2 weeks and then tour for four months, is the story of Presley’s last few hours. It uses flashbacks to show him throughout his 20-year show business career. The tour manager, Dianne Moffat, said the chance of playing the part of Presley had lured Elvis hopefuls, with 25 inquiries

each day. Auditioning will begin Auckland on April 4 for three days, then a day in Christchurch on April 8, Dunedin on April 9, and Wellington on April 11, 12 and 13. The auditioning panel is looking for two. performers, one to play Elvis aged 22 at the beginning of his career and the other to play Elvis at 42, just hours before his death. The panel will also cast four adult female roles, and five main adult male roles. The show has 25 No. 1 hits including “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “All Shook Up.” The older Elvis will perform “All My Trials Lord,” “Give Me a Mountain” and “If I Can Dream.”