Displaying items by tag: Hound Dog
Trent Carlini Brings The King to Life
When you think of Las Vegas many things come to mind – gambling, bright lights, monstrous hotels and casinos to which one can easily get lost, glamorous showgirls, dry heated air, the Bellagio fountain, The Rat Pack, Bugsy Segal and Seigfried and Roy. But maybe the largest association one has with Vegas is none other than the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley himself. After flopping in Las Vegas during the 1950s (they just weren’t ready for rock n’ roll), Elvis returned with a vengeance in the late 1960s and had several highly successful years as a residency and touring act until his death on August 16th, 1977.
Since the King’s passing there have probably been more Elvis impersonators than one can count, and though most may go unnoticed, Trent Carlini does not. Formerly known as the Las Vegas Hilton where Elvis performed with regularity, Carlini currently performs an amazingly inspired tribute at what is now called Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Known as one of the best Elvis impersonators in the business, Carlini does not disappoint.
Set in the Shimmer Cabaret, a 350-seat theatre, fans are treated to a very intimate Elvis experience that is a true celebration of Elvis’ life and music. Trent Carlini packs an accurate, and highly entertaining, musical chronology into his 75-minute show that starts with Presley’s earliest hits like “Blue Suede Shoes” and keeps on rolling through the 1970s. Touching on the movie years, we hear classics like “Rock-A-Hula”, “G.I. Blues”, and of course “Viva Las Vegas”, before Carlini appears in that famous leather suit for some ’68 Comeback Special action. Carlini also dons Elvis’ legendary white suit for an emotionally stirring rendition of “If I Can Dream”.
“The King starring Trent Carlini” gives audience members a taste of Elvis Presley’s music in a way many thought could not be done. Carlini’s vocal ability to sound like Presley is haunting, his likeness almost uncanny at times, his movements right on and he even captures some of the late legend’s renowned charm whether it be in joking with the crowd or letting off a simple impish grin. Band members play along with Carlini but are not exposed until a few songs in, adding another dimension to the show. Expect a good amount of audience participation, as Carlini prods the crowd to sing along on occasion (or on their own!), invites the ladies to step up to the stage for a kiss, personally greets a good amount of the crowd during “Love Me Tender” and later passes out scarves to the adoring women in true King fashion.
With each period of Elvis’ life, Carlini sports the proper attire from Presley’s Lansky collection to his well-known jumpsuits (complete with karate demonstrations). We get a little history lesson along the way though the main focus is on the music, as it should be in a tribute show. Pumping out the Elvis faves like “Hound Dog”, “Jailhouse Rock” (one of Carlini’s self-proclaimed top choices), “Burning Love”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “The Wonder of You”, fans leave the theater feeling as though they got their full dose of Elvis-mania. The show concludes on an apropos note with Carlini’s powerful version of “American Trilogy” that really gets the goose bumps going. Carlini hits the song’s final note with precision and might – a note that so many other tribute artists substitute with a lower octave.
There is a huge variety of shows to see in Las Vegas, but this is one that should be on your must see list, Elvis fan or not. It is a show for all ages and one that anyone who likes to rock can enjoy. “The King starring Trent Carlini” is completely entertaining and thoroughly engaging. Trent is one of the best in the business and what better place than to relive, or get a taste of, the musical performance of Elvis Presley.
“Thank you. Thank you very much.”
32C This Weekend: Ballet, Opera, and Mythic Theatre Light Up Chicago
18 March 2026 in Now PlayingChicago is bursting with theatrical imagination this weekend, and three standout productions are redefining what live performance can be. At…
Citadel Theatre announces RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL, April 15 – May 17
18 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreCast and production team have been announced for Citadel Theatre's 2025-26 season closing production of RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL. It's a…
PARA.MAR Dance Theatre Debuts First-Ever Full-Length Ballet "MUJERES" April 17-18
18 March 2026 in Upcoming DanceThis April, the Chicago-based contemporary ballet company PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, debuts the world premiere of the company's first ever ballet, "MUJERES" choreographed by company…
LIVE AT THE SECOND CITY! COMEDY DANCE CHICAGO joyful show HAPPY DANCE!
18 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreComedy Dance Chicago is bringing their family-friendly show to The Second City! (Fun fact: this group was born out of…
The Ally begins at Theater Wit Monday, March 30 at 7 pm
17 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFrom the Tony Award-winning author of The Band's Visit comes a provocative new play about identity, loyalty, and the complexities of unity.A…
Drury Lane Theatre Presents Father of the Bride April 8 – May 31, 2026
17 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreDrury Lane Theatre cordially invites you to the wedding of the season as it opens its 2026/2027 season with Father of the…
Cast announced for Open Space Arts Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, April 3 – 19, 2026
17 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts has announced casting for its Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, a sharply funny, deeply compassionate new play…
Skokie Theatre to present A Streetcar Named Desire
17 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMadKap Productions is pleased to present the Tennessee Williams' classic play A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE for 13 live performances at the Skokie Theatre, 7924…
Joffrey Ballet completes major refresh of its Joffrey Tower
16 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Joffrey Ballet has completed a major refresh of its Chicago-based home, The Joffrey Tower (10 E. Randolph Street), featuring interiors…
Reimagined Madama Butterfly at the Lyric a Masterpiece in its Own Right
16 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewCreated in 1904, Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly has become one of the world’s greatest and most popular operas. New York’s…
Riverdance 30 - The Next Generation taps into Irish heritage March 27-29 at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre
16 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe magic of Irish dance will electrify Paramount Theatre’s iconic stage in downtown Aurora when Riverdance 30 - The Next Generation arrives…
In Lookingglass' White Rooster, Yee Conjures an Intriguing World Where Old and New Collide
15 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWhite Rooster arrives at Lookingglass Theatre with the kind of wild, genre‑bending confidence that reminds you why this ensemble has…
National Hellenic Museum's Trial of Odysseus: Hero or Criminal?
14 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewKing Odysseus returns home to Ithaca after twenty years’ absence: ten years’ fighting the Trojan War (it takes time to…
Reservation Mayhem, One Man, Forty Voices: Mike Newquist Ignites 'Fully Committed' at The Den
14 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewGet ready - those phones are about to explode, and Sam is already spinning like a top trying to catch…
A Winning Combination: Winning Works at the Museum of Contemporary Art
13 March 2026 in Dance in ReviewIt was the flippant statement heard round the humanities. An errant comment, a sweeping generalization, and another dismissive remark towards…
Grelley Duvall Best Actress - The Chopin Theatre - Through April 12th
13 March 2026 in Now PlayingThe Grelley Duvall Show returns with the world premiere of Grelley Duvall Best Actress, written and conceived by Alex Grelle with Jesse Morgan Young, directed by Kasey…
Larkspur Productions Opens World Premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana March 20th- April 5th at The Den Theatre
13 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreLarkspur Productions is pleased to announce the world premiere of The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana. Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass, The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana will…
Tuesdays with Morrie - Overshadowed Theatrical Productions - Through March 28th
12 March 2026 in Now PlayingWith stage adaptation of Mitch Albom's powerful New York Times Bestseller, Overshadowed Theatrical Productions will present Tuesdays with Morrie, a stage…
Bluebird Improv brings legendary comedians and improvisers, including two-time Emmy Award nominee Matt Walsh to Chicago's historic Studebaker Theater One night only: Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
12 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago's Fine Arts Building is excited to bring the legendary comedians and improvisers of Bluebird Improv to the historic Studebaker Theater (410 S. Michigan Avenue) for…
32C! Our Top Weekend Picks includes Cats, The Play That Goes Wrong and Changing Channels
11 March 2026 in Now PlayingChicago theatre is firing on all cylinders right now, and this weekend lines up three productions that each showcase a…
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2026 “EFFERVESCENT”
10 March 2026 in Upcoming DanceIdentity Performing Arts presents “Effervescent” with two original dance premieres: “Enthralled" created by Artistic Director, Ginny Ching Yin Lo, and…
World Premiere BOTH from Teatro Vista Productions & Steppenwolf Theatre Company
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, and Teatro Vista Productions are pleased to announce the world premiere…
IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE THREE MUSKETEERS, MARCH 26 - APRIL 25 AT THE EDGE OFF-BROADWAY
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreIdle Muse Theatre Company launches its 20th anniversary season with The Three Musketeers, March 26 - April 25, written by…
Physical Theater Festival Chicago Announces 2026 Lineup and Companies for its 14th season, June 1 - 7
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatrePhysical Theater Festival Chicago is proud to announce the full lineup for its 13th anniversary celebration, June 1 - 7. The Festival…
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND BLUEY’S BIG PLAY RETURNS TO CHICAGO THIS YEAR!
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreWackadoo! Following a highly successful global tour, Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are bringing Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show back to…
Northlight Theatre announces the inaugural season in the company's new home in Downtown Evanston
10 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzNorthlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, proudly announces its inaugural…
Static, Signals, and Surprises: City Lit’s Changing Channels Tunes In
09 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe year is 1952. Television is rapidly gaining popularity over radio, to the delight of some and the disgust of…
Beautifully Produced 'Two Sisters and a Piano,' But Script Misses the Mark
09 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIn “Two Sisters and a Piano” written by Nilo Cruz and directed by Lisa Portes, we soon learn these two…
CHUCK SMITH AND HARRY LENNIX REUNITE FOR A MAJOR REVIVAL OF MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, AUGUST WILSON'S ONLY PLAY SET IN CHICAGO, APPEARING AT THE GOODMAN STARTING MARCH 28
09 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreNearly 30 years after its box-office-record-setting 1997 Chicago premiere production, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom returns to The Goodman, helmed by Chicago…
Open Space Arts' Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, begins Friday, April 3
09 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts has announced casting for its Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, a sharply funny, deeply compassionate new play…
Latest Articles
-
32C This Weekend: Ballet, Opera, and Mythic Theatre Light Up Chicago
Written by Ken PayneChicago is bursting with theatrical imagination this weekend, and three standout productions are redefining what live performance can be. At the Museum of Contemporary Art, Joffrey Ballet’s Winning Works transforms the stage into a kinetic playground where emerging choreographers experiment… -
PARA.MAR Dance Theatre Debuts First-Ever Full-Length Ballet "MUJERES" April 17-18
Written by Buzz Center StageThis April, the Chicago-based contemporary ballet company PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, debuts the world premiere of the company's first ever ballet, "MUJERES" choreographed by company founder and artistic director Stephany Martinez at the Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, located at 915 E. 60th St.,… -
Citadel Theatre announces RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL, April 15 – May 17
Written by Buzz Center StageCast and production team have been announced for Citadel Theatre's 2025-26 season closing production of RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL. It's a gleefully twisted satire that skewers Broadway classics like GYPSY and MAME, as well as cult films such as THE BAD…
-
LIVE AT THE SECOND CITY! COMEDY DANCE CHICAGO joyful show HAPPY DANCE!
Written by Buzz Center StageComedy Dance Chicago is bringing their family-friendly show to The Second City! (Fun fact: this group was born out of a Second City Training Center class back in 2014). The show is a high-energy laugh-riot for ages 5 to 95. Comedy…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.