While most Elvis fans are focused on Memphis this week for the 32nd annual Elvis Tribute Week, Graceland's parent company, CKX Inc., is looking ahead to a December or January debut of the first Elvis production by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas.

CKX signed a long-term joint venture in 2006 with the Montreal-based troupe which combines circus and theater for a series of extravagant productions including a Beatles-themed production called "Love."

The name of the Elvis production has not been announced, but Priscilla Presley attended a preview of the show last week along with CKX chairman Robert Sillerman.

CKX and Cirque spokesmen could not be reached Monday, and a spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises declined to comment.

When the joint venture was signed during Elvis Tribute Week in 2006, Sillerman said, "I am pleased that during this time, when we remember Elvis Presley and celebrate his life, we are able to announce his return to Las Vegas, a place where he truly rose to iconic status."

A story Monday in the Las Vegas Review Journal said the Cirque production includes 75 cast members. Among the cast, the newspaper identified dancer-actor Chris Houston, 31, a former dancer for Celine Dion. Houston, reported to be playing Elvis' father in the Cirque production, was quoted: "I'm going from the queen of Montreal (Dion) to the king of rock and roll."

The show is scheduled to open at the new ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas newspaper identified the show's director as Michael Jackson choreographer Vince Patterson and quotes production manager Mike Anderson as saying the show will feature dancers, acrobats, "a killer band and a lot of guitar elements."

Elvis Week schedule

Find out about this week's other Elvis events; go to GoMemphis.com.

-- Michael Lollar: 529-2793