Introduction
“Elvis: That’s the Way It Is” is described on msn.com as “the definitive portrait of Elvis the Vegas headliner “. The legendary documentary that was filmed in the summer of 1970 begins by showing Elvis rehearsing with his newly formed TCB band. Relaxed and joking during filming, when it comes to staging the music, it is all business with Elvis who knew exactly what he wanted from his band and backup singers. At his best, both vocally and physically, Elvis commanded the rehearsal room like a king holding court. On the day of his first performance in his new Vegas show, the camera follows Elvis and his entourage as they somberly walk the long hall to the Vega stage in anticipation of an engagement that would be Elvis’s triumphant return to live performance. The film, that covers songs from different shows over the summer engagement, shows why Elvis was, is, and always will be the King of Rock ‘n’ Rock. He was electrifying on stage!
It Was a Night—Oh What a Night
With a dazzling full moon, it really was such a night! Elvis and ETA fans, alike, gathered last night at the Playhouse Cinema in Hamilton to watch a big screen showing of the remastered film “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is”. It was great seeing many familiar faces we know from previous ETA shows. Ingrid Gockert, winner of two tickets generously donated by the Tutt family for SB Mag’s contest, brought her daughter along to enjoy the show that provided the perfect mother/daughter outing. Debbie Curran brought along her daughter (seen sharing a laugh in the third photo, first row, below); and my daughter, Lisa, and I were at the Playhouse Cinema to enjoy the movie portion of our ‘dinner and a movie’ night out. Pre-show, we had a lovely dinner at the Bean Bar in Hamilton’s Westdale area. The Bean Bar, which has been in business for twenty-five years, has an extensive menu that offers a variety of great food. I highly recommend it.
It was my first time at the Playhouse Cinema, but I knew from the photo of the interior posted on Playhouse’s website, that I was going to like the theatre. Jacob Tutt, second generation of the Tutt family that also owns the Princess Cinema and Cafe in Kitchener, was very pleasant during our phone conversation; and with a warm and welcoming staff—specifically Jeff and Liana (in first photo below), a licensed concession that sells wine along side popcorn, tea and coffee, and comfy seats with lots of leg room. the tastefully decorated Playhouse Cinema is a fabulous theatre. Reminiscent of an artsy movie house on King William Street that I frequented in the late ‘80s and ‘90s, Playhouse Cinema offers unique movies as well as recent releases. For a full listing of upcoming shows, and information about ticket pricing, please go to https://playhousecinema.ca/
