Interview: Erin Burniston On Capturing Elvis's Legacy Onstage in HEARTBREAK HOTEL

I recently caught up with Erin Burniston, who plays the role of Elvis's girlfriend in HEARTBREAK HOTEL. Envisioned as the prequel to the long-running Chicago hit MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, HEARTBREAK HOTEL charts Elvis's rise to fame. Burniston chatted about the development process for this new musical and the experience of performing the legendary singer's music onstage.

This is a world premiere musical. What has it been like having the chance to develop the role of Dixie?

It has been awesome. Dixie is a real person and was Elvis's first girlfriend. She was about 15. He was about 19. It's been really cool getting to play a character that was a real, living person and researching her life and the 18 months they were together during which Elvis went from a truck driver to the biggest star we've ever known.

At the same time, this is a show that centers on such an iconic public figure. I understand that while you're not, of course, playing Elvis himself, that you sing some of his songs in the show. How do you find that balance between carving out your own unique space as a performer while also honoring this legendary artist?

All the music is played live. All the musicians play live, which I think is a really unique aspect of our show. All of the musicians want to honor the Blue Moon Boys and rockabilly music as best they can. The music is really the priority. Usually in a musical, you have an orchestra with a pit and the performers aren't playing live.

As for me, Dixie wasn't necessarily a singer, but I still do some singing in the show. I've been trying to make sure that all of the music that I sing does justice to Elvis's songs and the music of the era and how all that ties in together.

I know that HEARTBREAK HOTEL had a run at the Ogunquit Playhouse last year. What was that experience like?

First of all, Ogunquit is a beautiful town and an amazing theater. Our production was tremendous. Our sets and our costumes were amazing. It was awesome to work on this show on the grandest scale it has ever been before. We had an amazing time making the show the best it could be for whatever step it took next.

Now that you're about to open here in Chicago, can you tell me more about the development process for the show and how it has changed since its initial run?

We've been rehearsing. We're in our third week of rehearsal right now. We have about half and half returning cast members and new cast members. It's been exciting bringing them in and teaching them the show and seeing how they interpret their roles. It's awesome to see because it brings new life to the show. We've been workshopping some new music and moving some songs around and seeing where everything can fit. I'm anxious to see our new set. I know that has a lot of changes as well. We're excited to get into the theater and put everything on its feet.

I saw you as June in GYPSY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater a few years ago! What excites you most about returning to Chicago?

I probably have to say the food. I'm very excited about the food. Honestly, I just love this town. It's such a beautiful city and it's such an amazing theater town.

I love the theater community here. And the level of talent is just tremendous. Every show I see here I'm always just blown away by the production value. I know we're excited to see all of the shows that are here while we're in town.

What other roles are on your musical theater bucket list?

That's a good one. I would love to play Clara in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. That show isn't produced often. I would love to play Carrie in CAROUSEL and Nellie in SOUTH PACIFIC. I'm an old school gal.

What is your favorite Elvis song?

Before I did this show, I would have said "Suspicious Minds." And now after doing this show, it has opened my whole world to all this music I didn't know. One of my favorite songs in the show is "Baby, Let's Play House." It's so fun. My other favorite is "Trying To Get To You," which I sing with Elvis.

What is it like playing alongside Eddie Clendening, who is very familiar with the role of Elvis after originating the part in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET?

He is the Elvis guy. He is amazing to work with. I know we all love working with him. He's an amazing musician and a great actor. He makes Elvis a regular human. You get to see him as a regular guy and not just the Elvis you see in the white jumpsuit. He brings a level of depth and humanity to the role.

What should audiences expect when they come to see HEARTBREAK HOTEL?

HEARTBREAK HOTEL is the prequel to Chicago favorite MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. You're going to see what happened to Elvis before you knew him. It's this 18-month period where Elvis went from being a truck driver in Memphis to the biggest star in the universe. You'll see how he stumbled into Sun Records and found his sound and how the Blue Moon Boys created rockabilly. [It charts] his complete journey to stardom. It's a story that you've never heard before about a person everybody knows.

See Erin Burniston in HEARTBREAK HOTEL at Broadway In Chicago's Broadway Playhouse from June 30-September 9. For tickets and more information, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

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