Sony/ATV Come on Board for Iconic Elvis Presley Musical Heartbreak Hotel

A prequel to the Tony Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet, Heartbreak Hotel recounts the astonishing early life of the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll whose pioneering recordings with record producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records unleashed a music revolution and propelled Presley to worldwide fame and adulation.

The new musical is written and directed by Million Dollar Quartet co-creator Floyd Mutrux and is a partnership between Heartbreak King Productions, the Tony Award-winning producers behind productions including Rock of Ages and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, and Authentic Brands Group, owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises LLC. It will have its premiere at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago on Sunday, July 15.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing is the world’s leading music publisher with a catalog of more than 3 million copyrights, which include songs by legends such as The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Queen and Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, the Jobete catalog of Motown songs, standards including “Over The Rainbow,” “Moon River” and “Singin’ In The Rain” and a contemporary roster featuring Cardi B, Drake, Pink, Ed Sheeran, Sia, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and many others.

Besides its role as a co-producer and investor, Sony/ATV has also agreed to license to Heartbreak Hotel more than a dozen songs recorded by Presley. These include some of his most-recognized and successful early hits, such as “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Mystery Train,” Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and “Rip It Up” as well as “Heartbreak Hotel ,” which not only serves as the musical’s title but was his first Billboard pop No. 1 and first million-seller in the U.S. and became his breakthrough international hit.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier said: “Elvis Presley is the ultimate music icon who not only totally transformed music but changed the world. I am proud that Sony/ATV is now involved as a co-producer and investor of Heartbreak Hotel, which will not only serve as a fantastic reminder to everyone like me who grew up with Elvis just how unique and special he was, but will be a terrific way for a new audience to discover the music and life of The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

The Heartbreak Hotel deal was overseen at Sony/ATV by Co-President, U.S. Danny Strick and SVP, Business & Legal Affairs Bruce Scavuzzo, as part of their roles on the company’s Theatre Committee.

Heartbreak Hotel producer Scott Prisand said: “We are incredibly excited to have Marty and the Sony/ATV team on board. There is no bigger story in the history of rock ‘n’ roll than Elvis and their support will play an essential role in making HEARTBREAK HOTEL  a success.”

Authentic Brands Group President, Celebrity and Entertainment Corey Salter said: Heartbreak Hotel had a record-breaking world premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse and we’re thrilled to finally launch in Chicago. Having Floyd Mutrux, Scott Prisand and Sony/ATV as our partners gives this one-of-a-kind musical the support to become a fan favourite in theatres around the world.”