ELVIS ELECTRIFYING CLEVELAND BALLET!

"Jammin' in the aisles" may not be a descriptive that one usually associates with the Cleveland Ballet, but Company Artistic Director Dennis Nahat says that's exactly what he expects to happen beginning May 24 on Playhouse Square.

That's when "Blue Suede Shoes"--it's Elvis Presley music in an 80-minute ballet--opens at the State Theater.

Nahat, after 20 months of work on the production, says, "Everyone's going to be jammin' in the aisles! I'm sure of it! I already am jammin' in the aisles!"

Nahat conceived "Blue Suede Shoes" as a "feel good" production. He choreographed it; he directs it, and he has the musical arrangements of award-winning composer William Ross ("Forrest Gump," "The Bodyguard"), and the expertise of Hollywood costume and set designer Bob Mackie (six Emmy Awards, three Academy Awards) to go with 36 Presley songs and the ballet and gymnastic talent of 49 dancers.

The world premiere of "Blue Suede Shoes" will cover 16 performances between May 24 and June 7, with official opening night scheduled for May 29. It will be the finale of the Ballet's 20th anniversary season.

It's a musical double-banger, as Bob Mackie says: "A lot of poeple will come to the theater who have never seen professional ballet before. But, they'll come because they love Elvis and because they'll be curious. They'll know it can't be 'Swan Lake.' One thing for sure: it won't be your typical night at the ballet!"

And that's for sure!

"The High School - from Blue Suede Shoes
designed by Bob Mackie