All Shook Up
This certainly isn't the first time that William Shakespeare
has been married to musical theater. Two award-winning examples
leap immediately to mind: "West Side Story," inspired by "Romeo
and Juliet," and "Kiss Me Kate," adapted from "The Taming of the
Shrew."
But "who woulda' thunk" that 25 of Elvis Presley's greatest
hits would be the blueprint for a rock-and-roll version of
"Twelfth Night?" Joe DiPietro, that's who.
If you want to see a knock-down, jump-around,
raise-the-rafters musical that DiPietro patterned after a raucous
comedy by The Bard, make haste to the Musical Theatre West
production of "All Shook Up." Judging by the reaction of the
opening night crowd, it is guaranteed to knock your socks off.
Under the direction of Steven Glaudini--with musical
direction by Michael Borth and choreography by Lee Martino--an
ensemble of award-winning, multi-talented performers transforms
everyone in the audience to middle America in 1955.
There, in a small boring town where nothing ever happens,
rides Chad--a slick grease-haired roustabout who has just been
released from prison for indecent behavior. After opening the
show with a rousing rendition of "Jailhouse Rock," Chad turns the
town upside down within 24 hours.
Derek Keeling plays this charismatic, hip-thrusting,
lip-curling braggadocio as if he were channeling Elvis, which of
course he is. Once he warms up and gets in the grove, he does it
with style.
Everyone in the play's hick town is in a stupor until Chad
challenges them to wake up and start living again. And do they
ever. Before the curtain falls you'll hear such hits as "Blue
Suede Shoes," "Love Me Tender," "Don't Be Cruel," "Burning Love,"
and of course the title song, "All Shook Up."
Co-star Bets Malone is terrific as Natalie. A lonely young girl who
is an expert mechanic, Natalie works in her father's garage but
dreams of hitting the rode on her bike and finding a new life
somewhere else. She does, that is, until Chad comes to town and
she falls instantly in love with him.
Her dad Jim (Barry Pearl is sensational) is also lonely. As
is Sylvia (Gwen Stewart), the big-hearted bar-tender who has
looked after Jim since he was widowed. He thinks of Sylvia as a
good friend, and she's in love with Jim but doesn't know it yet.
In fact, everyone on stage is in love with someone who
doesn't know it or doesn't return it; so they are "All Shook Up."
That includes the talented Danny Calvert, who plays Natalie's
best pal Dennis like a hang-dog puppy; and Sylvia's 16-year-old
daughter Lorraine (delightful Sabrina N. Sloan) who falls for Dean, (Tristan
Rumery) the obedient son of narrow-minded Mayor Matilda (Cynthia
Ferrer is hysterical) at first sight.
If it's patterned after "Twelfth Night," you know mistaken
identities will have to play a large part in the story, and
indeed they do. Chad gets a glimpse of the cultured Miss Sandra
(the always sensational Tracy Lore) who is in charge of the
town's small museum. She will have absolutely nothing to do with
this swell-headed guitar player.
But when Natalie disguises herself as a sensitive boy named
Ed (so she can get closer to Chad), Sandra falls for Ed on the
spot. Opps. And in no time, Chad too starts to have warm feelings
for Ed (aka Natalie). Double opps!
One of the highlights of the show is when all the statues
come to life and try to persuade Sandra to "Let Yourself Go." And
we have to admit it: Gwen Stewart brings the house down
when she belts out "Heartbreak Hotel," "That's All Right,"
and "There's Always Me."
The last two scenes ("Fools Fall in Love" in the fair
grounds, and "Burning Love" inside the church) are so uplifting,
you'll go home with new faith in humanity.
Where: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton, CSULB campus, Long Beach
When: Thurs-Sat, 8 pm; Sat-Sun, 2 pm; Sun, Mar 2, 7 pm; through Mar 9
Ticket Information: (562) 856-1999 x 4 or info@musical.org