The King and his fans: ‘Elvis People’ at Waubonsee

You might know a lot about Elvis Presley, but how much do you know about the lives he has touched?

Waubonsee Community College’s Theatre Department will present the comedy “Elvis People” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the auditorium of the college’s Sugar Grove Campus.

“Since this is a community college, I try to give students the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the college life,” said Maria Bakalis, director of “Elvis People.”

The play is a series of 13 stories about how Presley touched the lives of everyday people.

While not a musical, the play features Presley’s music, along with footage and clips from his acting career. Each skit shows how society was impacted by the impact Elvis made with his introduction to rock and roll.

“Elvis himself stands out so much in this play,” Bakalis said. “He was a strong icon in the ‘50s to the ‘70s, so he is a part of our culture.”

When casting for a play, Bakalis doesn’t just pick students who have had experience in theater; she also tries to pick students who have a desire just to try it.

“This play really made me realize how crazy fans were about Elvis,” said Nicole Hambly, 20, of Leland, Ill.

Hambly, a student at Waubonsee, has performed in community plays since she was 5 years old. Her character is a 16-year-old girl who is crazy about Elvis and is committed to moving to Memphis to be near her role model.

Hambly also has the role of assistant director of “Elvis People,” making sure every character is prepared and that the show does go on.

“Even though there are some tragic moments in some skits, I really enjoy the funny comedic aspect of it,” said Hambly.

Other students in the cast include Dan Bach, Katie Billing and Andrew Myers, of Batavia; Alex Cantalupo of Oswego; Krystina DiCristofano and Mick LaRocca of Geneva; Sabrina DiGiovanni of Montgomery; Rey Elizondo, Erick Maldonado, Rachel Osburn, Nestor Ramos, Rebecca Restagno, Ryan Roberts and Rosie Torres of Aurora; Lavinia Garrison of Plano; Seth Jensen of Yorkville; and Kevin Modaff of Lisle. Associate Professor of English Gary Clark also has a role in the play.For details, visit www.waubonsee.edu or call (630) 466-7900. Waubonsee Community College#146;s Sugar Grove Campus is on Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive in Sugar Grove. Admission is $5.