Paying homage to the King of Rock
Molly Shore
Hartley Haverty was born seven years after Elvis Presley died, but
that doesn’t mean she isn’t a fan of the King of Rock ‘n Roll.
“I’ve been a pretty big fan of oldies all my life. I always
thought Elvis was pretty cool,” Haverty said.
So cool she is performing tonight at the House of Blues in West
Hollywood in the annual celebrity celebration of Elvis’ birthday.
Haverty is one of three backup singers in an act headed by comic Fred
Willard.
Performing on stage is not new to the 18-year-old.
“My mother got me into acting when I was really little. At 11
months, my Chevy Astro Van commercial was aired. I was a baby waving
out the window. Pretty complicated part,” she said, laughing.
In her sophomore year of high school, Haverty studied at the Mark
Taper Forum. Seeing so many fantastic actors on the stage, they
create a kind of magic together, she said. She plans to move to New
York within the next five years.
“Musical theater, straight plays, just anything,” Haverty said. “I
just want to do theater in such a notable place as Broadway.”
Haverty, who is in her first year studying theater at Cal State
Northridge, comes to performing quite naturally. Her parents were
both actors when they met nearly 30 years ago doing summer stock
shows in Michigan.
Her mother, Dorathy Haverty, said she is thrilled her daughter
wants to pursue a career in the entertainment field.
“My heart was filled with happiness,” Dorathy Haverty said. “It
was a good thing that she eventually realized that we kept her going
and that we never let her give up.”