Heartbreak Hotel Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...The other reason for picky old rockers to show up is that this company achieves some very powerful harmonics on many of those songs, utilizing Marriott’s immersive capabilities. Goodwin, alongside musical director Ryan T. Nelson, clearly spent a lot of time focusing on how this show sounds when the company sings and the result is very pleasing indeed. I like the vocal arrangements in the show and Goodwin, who actually dares to break Marriott’s famous circle and create a little staging area in front of the orchestra, gets performers out into the house as much as she can."

Daily Herald - Somewhat Recommended

"...Diedre Goodwin’s zesty staging and choreography and her perky cast keep things moving. And the show sounds good thanks to music director Ryan T. Nelson, whose vocally robust ensemble remained undeterred when some of their body mics intermittently cut out on opening night."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...But even with three Elvi, Heartbreak Hotel falls short. Some of the music is great. Most of the book is not. If you’re a die-hard Elvis fan, Hanes delivers. He deserves a better show."

Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Recommended

"...Goodwin's direction employs a "bio-musical" approach, using Kid Elvis and Teen Elvis to inspire adult Elvis, portrayed by Tyler Hanes, through key moments of crisis and triumph. Many Elvis impersonators around the world might express a desire for vocals closer to Elvis, but overall, the rendition of Heartbreak Hotel is certainly an experience worth enjoying."

Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"... My job, as a reviewer, is to advise my readers and listeners ( WCPT820 every Sunday 1-2 p.m.) if what they are about to purchase a ticket for is worth the ticket price. I may not love a production that I see, but I will always report the total picture, in order to make sure that my readers and listeners get the whole story. If you are a big “Elvis” fan, I would expect you to love the current production at Marriott Theatre. I am not an Elvis fan, although I did like some of his songs and enjoy listening to his music, but I must say the production of “Heartbreak Hotel”, directed and choreographed by Deidre Goodwin is near perfect in every way. Again, if I were a true Elvis fan, this would be a “must see”!"

Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended

"...Elvis Presley created a musical style that was infused with elements of R& B, gospel and the Blues. All of these elements were part of the young boy’s childhood and, thus, heavily influenced Presley’s own pop music. Elvis Presley introduced a fusion of sound, creating the rockabilly rage and the new genre called rock and roll. The show sparkles with musical numbers made famous by The King, such as “Viva Las Vegas,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “A Little Less Conversation” and, of course, the titular “Heartbreak Hotel.” With this new jukebox musical, Marriott’s season of polished, profession productions continues to positively Shake, Rattle and Roll."

Buzz Center Stage - Highly Recommended

"...Marriott Theatre’s Heartbreak Hotel takes on the tricky task of charting Elvis Presley’s early ascent, walking the line between the mythic figure we think we know and the unpolished young man still figuring out who he was becoming. What emerges is a brisk, music?driven portrait that leans into the volatility of those formative years - the industry pressures that boxed him in, the personal crossroads that pushed him forward, and the creative sparks that hinted at the cultural earthquake to come. It’s a show less interested in polishing the legend than in capturing the restless drive of a talent on the verge of rewriting American music."

Entertaining Chicago - Highly Recommended

"...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."

Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended

"...Everything from Tyler Hanes as the adult Elvis and Charles Adler Bischoff as Kid Elvis was very “All Right” opening night of Heartbreak Hotel at Marriott Theatre, Wednesday."

Chicago Culture Authority - Recommended

"...As an official bio-musical, Heartbreak Hotel, now onstage at the Marriott Theatre, doesn’t dig for revelations about the life of Elvis Presley. It hits the familiar beats, glosses over the affairs and frames the story as Elvis surveying his rise to fame and fall into irrelevancy as he prepares to take the stage for his triumphant 1968 comeback TV special. Dramatic limitations aside, this is a fun night at the theater, complete with slick dance moves, a strong Elvis (Broadway veteran Tyler Hanes) and hit after hit from the King’s stellar catalog."

Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended

"... It is thoroughly entertaining, but more than that. It is not just a romp through Elvis greatest hits. It is a highly dramatic, sometimes dark, powerful rendition through timed snippets of Elvis’ life. We are engaged witnesses to his conflicts, depicting an artist tortured despite his mega-star status. This is an awesome show that grabs at your heartstrings."

BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended

"...Director/choreographer Deidre Goodwin brought all the pieces together. She even changed the Marriott circle by extending a performance area in front of the orchestra. This gets the performers out front into the house a great deal more. Musical director Ryan T. Nelson presents these classic songs with some incredible harmony and orchestrations in ways you wouldn’t expect. At the end of the show, designs from Collette Pollard, Jesse Klug and Tony Churchill are stunning. Will Elvis ever leave the building? I don’t think so especially with Marriott’s presentation of his rise. Will Elvis fans enjoy? Yes. That’s all right."