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.”