A divorced woman is home on Christmas Eve. Whil she is drinking alone, she gets a voicemail from her ex saying he is getting married to the woman she met in rehab. She puts on a record, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis. She sings along to the lyrics:
“Are you lonesome tonight?
Do you miss me tonight?
Are you sorry we drifted apart?
Does your memory stray to a bright summer day
When I kissed you and called you sweetheart?
Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare?
Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?
Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?
Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?”
Suddenly, the lights start to flash and they play the main theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey. A giant cloud of smoke comes from the hallway and Elvis enters! (Fun Fact: Craig Robinson entered to the same song just a month ago). He doesn’t know where he is, but he immediately begins to make himself comfortable by drinking, taking pills from her medicine closet, and ordering pizza. He also sings a few songs. One with an acoustic guitar, one on electric guitar, and another on the piano.
Terry Spencer Hesser (Islands Without Cars) has written a very funny and dramatic play about relationships, drinking, and loneliness. The production is excellent with a great set and very impressive projections that show outlines of characters that they interact with. It truly makes it feel much bigger than a two person show.
Brenda Barrie (Six Corners, United Flight 232) is superb as the lonely woman who is full of self pity at the start. Victor Holstein (Chicago PD) is fantastic as Elvis, who is full of joy and teachers her to love life again.
Cost of a ticket: $54.50
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother
Get tickets now for Christmas with Elvis through January 7th!
Quinn Delaney
PlaylistHQ 