To close out its historic 75th season in the Bluegrass, Pioneer Playhouse of Danville, in partnership with Shindig! Productions presents We Three Kings: An Elvis Experience on August 15, 16, and 17.

“Our patrons really love Elvis,” says Robby Henson, artistic director of the theatre his father, Eben C. Henson, founded in 1949. “So we often throw in a play with Elvis as a character, or an Elvis Tribute Artist somewhere in the mix.”

We Three Kings: An Elvis Experience debuted at the Lexington Opera House in October of 2023. The show was the brainchild of Bill Kelly, a longtime entertainer whose Elvis tribute, Dedication to a King, has received both regional and national acclaim. Teaming up with Teg Evans of Shindig! Productions, as producer, We Three Kings received rave reviews at the Lexington Opera House, including a nod from well-known Kentucky radio personality, Jack Pattie.

“This show was done in true Elvis fashion,” Pattie said. “The Elvis artists were spot on and the band was outstanding!”

We Three Kings features three different Elvis Tribute Artists during the nightly show, each representing different eras in the King’s life, from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Live music will be performed by the nine-piece show band, Kashmere, led by Kelly Caldwell, who has opened for big country stars like Leanne Womack and has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Kashmere is widely known for its Classic ’80s Rock Shows.

Along with Billy Kelly, who was born in Japan and moved to Lexington in 1980, quickly establishing himself as an in-demand nightclub performer, the other Elvis Tribute Artists include Todd Boddenheimer and Russell Dennis.

Born and raised in the Louisville area, Boddenheimer has over 21 years of stage experience and has become one of the premiere Elvis Tribute Artists in Kentucky and beyond.

Dennis is a popular cruise ship performer from Dayton, Ohio, who first began singing Elvis songs at the urging of his mother, who found it soothing during her bouts with cancer. Dennis has won several Elvis contests and is thrilled to be reunited with his friends, Kelly and Boddenheimer for this special performance.

Pioneer Playhouse has worked with producer Teg Evans of Shindig! Productions in the past, and is looking forward to this collaboration.

“We’ve done terrific Elvis shows before,” says Henson, “but this one is bigger, grander. There’s gonna be a whole lotta Elvis on our stage, a whole lotta shaking going on! I know our patrons will love it!”

We Three Kings: An Elvis Experience will run three nights only: Thursday, August 15; Friday, August 16; and Saturday, August 17. Please note that times have changed from the regular Pioneer Playhouse season. The show will begin at 8:00 pm (rather than 8:30), while the optional dinner begins at 7:00 pm (rather than 7:30). The ice cream parlor and concession stand will be open as usual, as will the bar for those 21 years and older.

Pioneer Playhouse is located at 840 Stanford Road in Danville, KY. Dinner and show tickets are $40 each with show-only tickets at $22 each. Group and child rates are available upon request. Tickets can be purchased online at pioneerplayhouse.com or by calling 859-236-2747.