The musical Love Me Tender, which is inspired by and features the music of Elvis Presley, comes to Sunderland Empire in July.
In a small town in 1950s America, a guitar-playing, hip-swivelling stranger rides his motorbike into town. Is he The Devil in Disguise or a Hound Dog in his Blue Suede Shoes? The townsfolk are about to be All Shook Up and could be headed for Heartbreak Hotel, but for Natalie, the love-struck, tomboy mechanic, it really is Now or Never.
The show is written by Joe DiPietro who wrote I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and whose Memphis won the Tony for Best Musical in 2010.
Love Me Tender is a reworking of DiPietro's 2005 Broadway debut show All Shook Up which ran for 213 performances (and 33 previews) at the Palace Theatre.
The show is produced by Adam Spiegel Productions, Robert G Bartner and the Ambassador Theatre Group.
Spiegel said, "I’m delighted to be working with such a talented creative team to bring the UK this fantastic feel-good musical featuring some of the best music ever written—the greatest hits of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley."
Love Me Tender is directed and choreographed by Olivier Award Winner Karen Bruce (Saturday Night Fever, Dance ’Til Dawn, Pacific Overtures) with set design by Morgan Large (Flashdance, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof), lighting design by James Whiteside (Never Forget, Footloose) and costume design by Vicky Gill (Dance ‘Til Dawn, Strictly Come Dancing).
Casting will be announced shortly.
It comes to Sunderland Empire from 13 to 18 July as part of a national tour and tickets are now on sale.