Elvis Goes to the Circus
Elvis has left the building...and joined the circus.
CKX Inc., the parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises, has announced a long-term partnership with Canadian-based circus troupe Cirque du Soleil, which plans to produce a series of shows based around The King's life and music.
Cirque du Soleil, known for its extravagantly artistic displays of acrobatic feats, will also work with CKX to develop a number of multimedia, interactive museums known as Elvis Experiences, CKX said.
"The partnership promises to not only keep Elvis alive but also to bring a new perspective and vibrancy to Elvis that only the people at Cirque du Soleil could do," CKX head honcho Robert F. X. Sillerman said Friday.
The first Elvis-themed productions are expected to begin touring in Europe and Asia in about 18 months, while the first Elvis Experience museum is slated to open in 2008, Sillerman said. Production schedules and museum sites have not yet been nailed down.
It's not the first time Cirque du Soleil has taken inspiration from a musical legacy. Next month, the company begins staging Love, a production based on the music of the Beatles, at Las Vegas's Mirage hotel and casino.
CKX took control of all things Elvis in December 2004, after Lisa Marie Presley sold the bulk of her father's estate for about $100 million in cash and stock.
The company claimed it did not plan to make many changes to the Graceland experience, stating that its intent was merely to maximize Presley's earnings from beyond the grave.
Even so, Sillerman recently got Elvis impersonators all shook up when he suggested in an interview with the New York Times that he might crack down on "unauthorized" Presley doppelgangers.
He has since backed down, stating this week that going after impersonators is "not even on the radar screen right now."
"The only comment I have made about the future of Elvis impersonators was simply an answer to a reporter's hypothetical question," Sillerman said in a statement. "In truth, the issue is not something we at CKX are actively looking into."
It seems Presley imitators can stop shaking in their blue suede shoes--at least for now.
The Big Picture
All Growed Up Guess Zac has officially adopted the smoldering look, 'cause we haven't seen a smile in weeks
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (916)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (673)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Rob Flies Back to L.A. With Kristen (462)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (446)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (436)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (423)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (362)
- Bitch-Back! Is There Drama on the Gossip Girl Set? (345)
Top 10 Stories
- Dancing With the Stars: A New Winner Raises the Disco Ball
- J.Lo's Ex: There's "Maybe One Spanking," but I'm Not Selling a Sex Tape
- Nicole Richie Back in Her Own Bed
- GMA Doesn't Want Adam Lambert's Sloppy Seconds...Cue The Early Show!
- Goodbye or Good Riddance to Jon & Kate Plus 8?
- Oprah's Mom Settles Clothes Call Lawsuit
- Rihanna Sings Threesome, Avoids Going Naked on GMA
- Michael Lohan Runs Out of Family Members to Alienate, Starts Leaking Jon Gosselin Tapes
- It's a Sexy Job, but Adam Lambert's Gotta Do It!
- Donny Discovers Parts He Never Had Before for Dancing With the Stars Finale
Fashion Police
Sloppy SuitingGwyneth dares to experiment with hard-to-wear satin, but the result is dull and unpolished
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
0 Comments
Now loading...