Austin Butler is a performer and singer who takes on the role of Elvis Presley in his show, “Elvis The Show.” From his costume and set to his vocals and dance moves, everything about Butler’s performance is meticulously planned out. In this article, we ask the question: is it really such a daunting challenge to tackle the role of Elvis Presley?
Austin Butler: Background and Biography
Austin Butler has been playing the role of Elvis Presley for the past several years and he has said that it is a daunting challenge. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Butler started singing and dancing at an early age. He was trained by teachers who specialized in show business and was able to perfect his skills quickly. By the time he was 16, Butler had started touring with a gospel group. After a few years of honing his craft, Butler decided to make the switch to music theater and landed a role in “The Color Purple” on Broadway. From there, Butler went on to play roles in “Dreamgirls” and “Chicago.” In 2006, Butler made his feature film debut as Dion in “The Great Gatsby.” In 2009, he took on the role of Elvis Presley in the stage production of “Elvis: The Man who Sold America.” The show traveled throughout the United States for two years before finally making its way to Austin Butler’s home town of Memphis where it closed out its run in 2015.
Butler says that playing Elvis is a challenge because he wants to capture the soul of the singer and create an emotional connection with his fans.
How Austin Butler Plays Elvis Presley
While playing Elvis Presley on stage is a daunting challenge, Austin Butler manages to bring his A-game to the stage each and every time. Here are five things you might not know about the singer.
Challenges of Playing Elvis Presley
When Austin Butler was cast as Elvis Presley in the Broadway play “The King and I” he knew that the task at hand was a daunting one. “It’s definitely a challenge to portray someone who is so iconic,” he says. “But I think it’s also really rewarding to be able to do something that people know and love so well.”
Though Butler doesn’t have any musical training, he has studied Presley extensively in preparation for the role. He has watched concert footage and listened to recordings of the singer’s performances. He has also read scripts of some of Elvis’ most famous movies, including “Blue Hawaii” and ” Girls! Girls! Girls!”
Butler knows that fans of Elvis will be scrutinizing his every move. He takes the criticism seriously, but remains adamant about keeping his performance true to the character of Elvis. “I want people to come away from the show feeling like they’ve seen Elvis,” Butler says. “That’s my goal.”
Future Plans for Austin Butler
Austin Butler is set to tackle the role of Elvis Presley in a new play this fall. The young actor has done a lot of research into the life and career of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and is excited to bring his unique interpretation to the stage. “It’s daunting, but I’m looking forward to it,” Butler tells ABC News. “I have a real respect for Elvis and his music.”
Butler’s casting as Elvis was announced last month alongside that of Soul Train dancer Margie Gill, who will take on the role of Michelle Phillips in the play based on Presley’s life. The show is set to premiere at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles in September 2019. “Elvis” marks Butler’s first major theatrical role and he says he’s learned a lot about himself while preparing for it. “There have been times when I’ve been really down or struggling with something and watching Elvis’ life story has helped me get through those tough times,” he says. “His story is just so inspirational.”
