Elvis comes alive in show at New Theatre in Overland Park, Kansas

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Victor Trevino Jr. headlines “Elvis in Concert” at Overland Park’s New Theatre and Restaurant. Photo courtesy of New Theatre and Restaurant.

One for the money. Two for the show. Three to get ready. Now, go, cat, go. While you don’t want to step on Elvis’ blue suede shoes, you do want to see the King in action. And, you can as part of the nation’s best Elvis Presley tribute show.

The New Theatre and Restaurant in Overland Park, Kan., hosts “The King in Concert” through Sept. 12. With Victor Trevino, Jr., headlining as Elvis, the 2.5-hour show takes you down a musical path from Presley’s audition for Sam Phillips at Memphis’ famed Sun Studios through his NBC “comeback” special in 1968.

Disclaimer: Thank you to the New Theatre for the complimentary tickets. However, as always, all views and opinions are ours.

Trevino is considered the world’s top Elvis tribute performer and has been endorsed by the Presley estate. Realizing what an honor it is, Trevino, who sounds just like Presley when he sings, doesn’t pretend to be the King of Rock-and-Roll on stage.

“There’s only one Elvis,” he told the sold-out crowd of about 500. The theatre has a capacity of 640, but it is restricting seating because of the pandemic.

Popular with all ages

People of all ages, from seniors to young adults, enjoyed listening to, moving along with, and even dancing to Presley’s hits, such as “Jailhouse Rock,” “Teddy Bear,” “Blue Suede Shoes” and “That’s Alright.”

“Elvis in Concert” covers several of Presley’s hit songs. Photo courtesy of New Theatre and Restaurant.

Trevino, who looks amazingly a lot like Elvis, uses his own voice when talking with the audience, as he’s a tribute singer, not an imitator. He discusses key periods and events during Presley’s life and career during the performance.

The tribute singer is backed up by a small band featuring guitars, bass, drum, keyboards and a horn section, and The Lovettes, a trio of women singers.

The Lovettes back up Trevino as Elvis. Photo courtesy of New Theatre and Restaurant.

While watching Elvis come to life on stage is exciting, “Elvis in Concert” also features Dominique Scott as Jerry Lee Lewis. Scott dazzles the audience with his keyboard skills as he performs some of Lewis’ greatest hits, including “Great Balls of Fire.”

While we can no longer watch the actual great artists perform live on stage, tribute shows offer an impressive alternative to keeping their memories and music alive. As Trevino moves and sings like Elvis on stage, it’s easy to travel back in time and believe you’re watching the King live in concert.

Dominique Scott performs as Jerry Lee Lewis. Photo courtesy of New Theatre and Restaurant.

Upcoming shows

Besides the great show, an evening at the New Theatre and Restaurant includes a delicious buffet dinner. The theatre has taken precautions during the pandemic to help ensure people’s safety by providing plastic gloves for diners to use when dishing their food.

While you’ll want to hurry and catch “Elvis in Concert” before ending its run on Sept. 12, the New Theatre’s upcoming show schedules are also impressive. Beginning Nov. 17, “Johnny and June” – a Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash tribute show – runs through January (we’re planning to attend). An actress performs as Minnie Pearl for some country comic relief.

Other shows star Morgan Fairchild in “Don’t Dress for Dinner,” and Trekkies may want to beam into the theatre for “The Play that Goes Wrong.” It stars Armin Shimerman, Quark from “Star Trek Deep Space Nine.”