You may have put your “Blue Christmas” 45 away, but devotees of the King remain all shook up this new year. Playhouse Square hosts its annual Elvis Artist Tribute Spectacular Jan. 12 at Connor Palace, this year honoring Presley’s 85th birthday. The show features three celebrated Elvis re-creators: Cody Ray Slaughter, Ryan Pelton and Shawn Klush.
The impersonators pay tribute to the King of Rock by guiding the audience through each era of Presley’s fame with live singing and intricate costumes, from his ’50s hip-swingin’ (captured here in a shot from a 1956 concert at Cleveland Arena) to his ’70s Las Vegas shows. Klush, a winner of BBC1’s The World’s Greatest Elvis Competition, re-creates Presley’s later comeback years — complete with a studded white jumpsuit and swagger to spare.
“We’re paying homage to a guy who started all this with natural abilities,” says Klush. “He didn’t even realize he was shaking the earth.” Klush is looking forward to doing some shaking of his own in the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “I feel like I’m home when I’m there,” Klush says. “Cleveland rocks, no doubt.” playhousesquare.org
Celebrate Elvis Presley's 85th Birthday at Playhouse Square
At the annual Elvis Artist Tribute Spectacular Jan. 12, three renowned re-creators lace up their blue suede shoes.
