Everybody knows about Elvis Presley, but not everyone has been lucky enough to see him perform, since the King of Rock-n-Roll died of heart disease in 1977 at the age of 42.
Now, Elvis-lovers will have a chance to get a little closer to "The King" through a live show called "Elvis Story."
Even those who do not care so much for Elvis, but would still like to see a Broadway style musical, can go to the Poly Theater where the show will run from November 25 to 28.
In 1995, Le Capitole de Quebec produced and premiered the two-act show which features the best moments of Elvis Presley's life and career, from his discovery at Sun Records in Memphis to his swinging Hollywood heyday to his final years as a Vegas icon.
Act One tells of Presley's early career. His first recording contract with Sun Records brings him immediate and widespread success.
It is during this time that Presley met his manager Colonel Tom Parker, who becomes instrumental in paving the road to fame, catapulting him to super star status and forcefully managing his career.
Hollywood film makers also begin to approach him and he appears in 33 films over the course of his lifetime. His career in music and film is cut short when he is drafted by the US army and stationed in Germany.
In Act Two, Presley meets Priscilla Beauilla in Germany and later marries her in the United States.
With the arrival of his daughter and his worldwide fame both on stage and screen, his life is almost picture perfect.
The British music invasion, however, takes its toll on him. Presley begins to feel bored and frustrated with his films and records and withdraws from the prying eyes of the public.
His album "Comeback" in 1968 and a string of Las Vegas concert performances mark the resurgence of Presley on the American music scene.
But soon the controversy and disbelief surrounding his mysterious and premature death shock the world.
In two hours, French Canadian singer Martin Fontaine who takes the title role, sings 41 of the King's most popular songs, including the very popular Good Rockin' Tonight, Baby, Let's play House, Heartbreak Hotel, Love Me Tender and I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.
When the producers of "Elvis Story" started auditioning candidates for the leading role, Fontaine thought: "This role belongs to me."
Confident and determined, he came to a rehearsal studio in Montreal and made a strong impression on the producers and the artistic director right from the start, thanks to his more than convincing interpretation of Love Me Tender and My Way.
Le Journal de Quebec learned that the producers originally thought of having more than one person play Presley, but Fontaine's performance was so impressive and convincing that they decided then to build the entire production around him.
(China Daily November 15, 2004)
