Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Actually, the individual scenes with Phillips aren't bad at all for the genre - in fact, the show gives useful prominence to Phillips' assistant, Marion (the excellent Darcy Jo Wood), credited here with persuading her overly purist (and indebted) boss to take a chance on a new sound - or, more accurately, an appropriated sound. You can thoroughly enjoy all the Elvis hits (and you'll hear at least 30 of them here) and still be ready and willing to better understand that all-American origin story."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Starring as Elvis, Eddie Clendening (he portrayed Presley in the initial Chicago run of "Million Dollar Quartet") has the voice and mannerisms of the "King of Rock n' Roll" down pat. He swivels his hips and curls his lip as he sings and plays guitar through Presley's earliest songs. Clendening has a rocking duet with Geno Henderson (as Chuck Berry) on the Berry classic "Maybellene," matching Henderson's energy and intensity, while his vocal work on "All Shook Up" was filled with an energy that was infectious. His depiction of Elvis' off-stage persona is also captivating: Polite, loyal and humble, Elvis never seems to be truly in control of what is happening around him."
Daily Herald - Somewhat Recommended
"..."Million Dollar Quartet," which enjoyed a record-breaking seven-year run in Chicago, functioned as a self-contained celebration of Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis showboating their musical skills in the Memphis studios of Sun Records. "Heartbreak Hotel" doesn't reach those same levels of joy, even if it does share the distinction of featuring supremely talented actor/musicians such as original "Million Dollar Quartet" cast member Eddie Clendening returning to embody Elvis."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...But unlike MDQ's one-night concert format, Heartbreak's chronological rundown of relationship and rehearsal room dramas bogs down perfectly decent-if not particularly rousing-renditions of Elvis's greatest hits with humdrum if educational contractual developments."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Heartbreak Hotel, which has officially opened at the Broadway Playhouse, is an absolute gem of a show. Its simplicity of both story and design allow for an evening of pure enjoyment. For those who may not know a lot about the life of Elvis, even those who might think they know all there is, there is plenty to take away from this show."
Chicago On the Aisle - Not Recommended
"...“Heartbreak Hotel” scarcely hints at what was so special about this talented, visionary kid in the formative years 1954-57: how he thrilled the imagination of young people across the divides of race and social class."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...At the heart of Heartbreak is Clendening's born-again Elvis, reinventing "Are You Lonely Tonight?" from the inside out amid the delirious bewilderment of a truck driver turned national monument. More than a spin-off from Million Dollar Quartet, this "play it again" romp takes us on a "Mystery Train" to some "Good Rockin' Tonight." Grateful crowds will leave "All Shook Up.""
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...In 1954, a humble truck driver checks in to Sun Records to record a song for his mother and leaves with the chance at a career that skyrocketed to stardom. Heartbreak Hotel journeys through Elvis Presley’s rise to fame and the growing pains of showbiz. Tony nominated writer and director Floyd Mutrux gives fascinating insight to the music industry with this prequel to the hit musical Million Dollar Quartet, also written by Mutrux."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Somewhat Recommended
"...When touching the life of a legend like Elvis Presley, you have to get a person that can channel the life and spirit of that character, and this production missed the mark."
Around The Town Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...Playing Elvis in this 2 hours-15 minutes ( with an intermission) of story-telling is Eddie Clendening. He has the look of the youthful Elvis but to be honest, while he is a good singer, he does not hit the sensational range that the man created and his lower extremity does not even come close to being as alarming as Ed Sullivan (Colte Julian plays several roles and does each with a great touch) prior to THE television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show!"
WTTW - Somewhat Recommended
"...But what about the wildly charismatic Elvis? Eddie Clendening, a rockabilly singer and guitarist who played Elvis in the New York productions of “Million Dollar Quartet,” bears a fine resemblance to the man in face and build as well as vocal quality. And he is effective in suggesting the melancholy and essential sweetness of the insecure country boy plunged into the world of brutal pop music commerce. But he never quite explodes in the way that is so crucial to capturing the force of nature that Elvis became, and often fails to clearly enunciate the song lyrics."
Chicago Theatre Review - Somewhat Recommended
"...A jukebox musical stuffed with so many classic hits is bound to be entertaining and toe-tapping. This show is all that, and more, when the music is playing, but its narrated style of storytelling makes it feel choppy and disconnected. Some judicious reworking of the book and a shot of adrenalin for its star and this could be another hit musical, with “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Somewhat Recommended
"...Moral of the story, if you’re looking for a musical with actors playing instruments onstage and a compelling storyline, go see American Blues’ Buddy (Read our review here). Heartbreak Hotel can’t hold a candle to that magnificent production."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...“Heartbreak Hotel” isn’t only a jukebox musical with wonderful reprises of Elvis’ hits. It places the early part of the “King’s” career within the confines of a racist America that had, until recently, seemed to belong to the past."
Chicago On Stage - Recommended
"...There's a way to love Heartbreak Hotel. Much like its iconic, complicated subject, this musical is, at the same time, probably destined to be a runaway hit and a little difficult to take seriously. But, like Elvis, if you're willing to listen, there's a way to love it. And, let's be honest, you probably already know what I mean-you know it in your bones-but stay tuned if you're curious."
Picture This Post - Recommended
"...If you love Elvis music THIS IS YOUR SHOW!!! You will find nothing lacking in Elvis look-alike and sound alike Eddie Clendening and you will bathe in the oldies and goldies so Elvis trademarked."
Splash Magazine - Somewhat Recommended
"...HEARTBREAK HOTEL features some really fine/fun production numbers, memorable and beloved hit songs from the King of Rock and Roll, including “Jailhouse Rock”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “That’s All Right”, “All Shook Up”, “Shake Rattle and Roll” and naturally “Heartbreak Hotel”. Frankly, abandoning the cobbled-together side story altogether and just showcasing the truckdriver turned rock and roll sensation and singing his heartthrob heart out along with his generational colleagues would’ve packed a much greater audience-pleasing wallop."
