Blue Suede Shoes: A Tribute to the King

Written by Dave Ferguson

By Colin Stewart and Chris McHarge
Played by Roy LeBlanc
Port Stanley Festival Theatre
May 19-June 5, 2010

**** / 4

Crowds Still Captured By The King

The songs, stage presence, charisma, mannerisms and a larger than life persona of Elvis Presley still shake, rattle and roll as it was presented on stage at The Port Stanley Festival Theatre.

Blue Suede Shoes: A Tribute To The King by Colin Stewart and Chris McHarge starring none other than St. Thomas local musical phenom Roy LeBlanc who in 1999 entered the world's largest Elvis contest held yearly in Collingwood to win the entire event. Roy repeated this success once again in 2001. One of the major pinnacles in his career was being named “The World’s Finest Elvis Impersonator” at the annual Elvis Extravaganza in Las Vegas in 2003.

Blue Suede Shoes: A Tribute to the King travelled through time narrated by none other than Colonel Tom Parker, played exceptionally well by Mike Miller. However if it weren’t for the cast of musicians backing up Roy’s remarkable Elvis-like vocal resemblance, this show wouldn’t have delivered the authenticity it produced. The band deserves just as much credit as Mike and Roy for making the entire packed playhouse feel part of this magical journey from the very beginning of Elvis Presley’s career with That’s Alright Mama to closing out the show with an encore number Blue Suede Shoes.

The Gospel tunes of Peace In The Valley and How Great Thou Art were wrapped in so much emotion by Roy that I’m sure it made everyone in the audience feel a special connection to The King all over again. Elvis himself would have given a standing ovation to such a heart wrenching Gospel set.

It is hard to believe that Elvis has been gone since August 16, 1977 at the age of 42. Roy does Elvis proud and I’m sure if he was here today not only would he congratulate Roy but say, “Thank you, thank you very much.”

Elvis was very much alive at the colourfully charismatic and intimate Port Stanley Festival Theatre that was home to a winter of successful concert series and now reveals an engagingly enjoyable set of summer productions. This local area playhouse is a shining star in Southwestern Ontario that is worth the drive to this lakeside community that has so much more to offer. Be sure to see their other productions this summer like Love Shack, BBQ King, Knickers and Made For Each Other. Should you need further information and ticket information check out their website http://www.psft.on.ca/

Dave Ferguson resides in Aylmer and has been writing for the past 15 years with works appearing in Relish Elgin, The Beat, Readers Digest, Owl Magazine, Canadian Sports Magazine, Canadian Hockey Parent, Rinkside and a myriad of newspapers. He is also the Chairperson and contributing member of the St. Thomas Creative Writer’s Workshop, a member of the London Writer’s Group, PWAC (Professional Writer’s Association of Canada, a radio broadcaster at CHRW and a Board member for Canvas and Quill Studios in St. Thomas.

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