The king comes to Arcade Theater

Sam Jones

Published Thursday, September 25, 2008

Having grown up watching the real Elvis Presley perform, it’s sometimes difficult for me to get excited about watching someone impersonate him. After all, anybody with dark enough hair can put on a high-collared, sequin-strung white shirt and call themselves Elvis.

The King had a lot of looks; the hip-grinding, greasy-haired, edgy rocker, the fresh faced kid in the bit-too-tight army uniform, the cool, womanizing movie guy, the ’68 Comeback black leather and of course, that high-collared, sequin-strung white pants suit of the 1970s.

Most Elvis impersonators I’ve ever seen can pull off one or two of these, but Todd C. Martin, the actor/singer coming to the Arcade Theater today, does them all — and he’s impressive.

Todd (what kind of name is that for an Elvis impersonator?) has been performing his “Tribute to Elvis” for 10 years. In August, the “Images of the King” Elvis competition in Memphis, Tenn., found his act so extraordinary they voted him No. 3 in the world!

He has performed to accolades in Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Casino, Legends Nightclub in Memphis, and the Rhodes, Greece Hilton. Todd has even performed his high class act in Las Vegas — with The Jordanaires, Elvis’ legendary vocal group.

Todd’s show usually includes several costume changes, as he covers every era of Elvis’ career. The show at Ferriday’s Arcade Theater will cover two of those changes.

Which two I don’t know yet, but personally, I’m hoping for the ’50s rocker, my favorite of the different eras.

By the way, Todd’s costumes are tailored by the same company who dressed Elvis Presley.

Elvis (Todd) will be accompanied by his own live band, and British comedian Mary Simpson will open the show.

The entire show is free and open to the public.

Once again, Amanda Taylor and the Concordia Parish Library bring outstanding entertainment to the community at no charge.

All the more reason to get there early and get a seat in the brand new, state-of-the-art Arcade Theater, next to the Delta Music Museum in Ferriday.

Again, Todd performs at 7 p.m. tonight.  Don’t be late, or you’ll be standing in the back of the auditorium.

I’m not giving up my seat.

Sam Jones is a supporter of the Concordia Parish Library.