Gwinnett Daily Post

Special Photo. Longtime Elvis impersonator Mark Pitt will take the stage at New Dawn Theater today and Saturday as part of Elvis' Birthday Bash.

New Dawn Theater Company hopes this weekend's celebration will be fit for a king. The King of Rock 'n' Roll, that is.

The community theater group will commemorate what would have been the late Elvis Presley's 75th birthday Jan. 8 with shows today and Saturday.

Longtime Elvis impersonator Mark Pitt will take the stage both nights in his signature tribute show, singing many of fans' most beloved songs performed by The King.

"We focus on the whole spectrum of his musical life and incredible career, beginning of course with the 1950s hits, to the 'movie years,' his comeback to the live stage, some gospel hits, up till his untimely and tragic death in 1977," said Pitt, who will don two jumpsuits -- the "Sundial" and the "Aloha from Hawaii" -- that were custom-made by Gene Doucette, who designed for Elvis in the 1970s.

"The whole key for me as a performer is the music and in the way which Elvis himself presented it and preformed it," Pitt said, "singing love songs for the ladies as if they were for her and only her, rock and roll like a tiger unleashed from the wild, and gospel music, his favorite from the bottom of his soul, like no other before him or since."

During each of his shows, which are family friendly, Pitt hands out scarves to the ladies and teddy bears to the children in the audience. This weekend's shows will be no different. Reservations for both nights are recommended and can be made by calling the New London Theater Box Office at 678-887-5015. For more information on Elvis' Birthday Bash in Duluth, visit www.newdawntheatercompany.com.