By Amy Metler
Sugar House Factory is presenting All Shook Up at the Midvale Performing Arts Center. All Shook Up is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Elvis Presley, written by Joe DiPietro. The play is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night . All Shook Up opened on Broadway in 2005 and tells the story of Chad, a hip swiveling roustabout who blows into a small town in the 1950s to get his bike repaired. While there, he shakes up the dreary lives of the town’s citizens, and soon most everyone is falling in love with someone who loves somebody else. All Shook Up features 24 Elvis songs–some of his biggest hits, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, and “Can’t Help Falling In Love” along with songs totally unfamiliar to non-Elvis super-fans.
I was very excited to finally get the chance to see All Shook Up, having heard about this show for many years but never getting the opportunity to attend. All Shook Up, directed by Michelle Groves, transports the audience back to the days of leather jackets, swing skirts, and blue suede shoes. Michelle Groves expertly leads her cast to tell the heartbreaking story of unrequited love and while love can be serious, this production deals with love and relationships with humor and great comedic timing. The production is a joy to watch and is a toe-tapping, hand-clapping extravaganza.
There is no curtain at Midvale Performing Arts Center, so the audience immediately takes in the set designed by Vic Groves and Michelle Groves, which is simple yet effective at being store fronts or an abandoned amusement park. Chad (Bryan Buhler) is the stranger who blows into town clad in a leather jacket and blue suede shoes, carrying a guitar, with music in his soul that all the girls in the town swoon over. Buhler is full of life and energy, sings beautifully, and the women in the audience are quickly swooning over him as well. Natalie Haller, the mechanic charged with fixing Chad’s motorcycle, played by Brienna Michaelis, decides immediately Chad is the boy she will marry. Brienna Michaelis is adorable and definitely America’s sweetheart. Her vocals are amazing and she perfectly portrays the tomboy who is more comfortable covered in grease yet she is desperate to have her heartthrob, Chad, fall in love with her. She’s willing to wear a dress as well as pretend to be a boy so they can become friends first.
Dennis, the geeky nerd of the group, is secretly in love with Natalie but lacks the courage to tell her. Caleb Hintze does a fantastic job getting the audience to cheer for him and hoping he’ll find the love he so desires. Cassidy Ross perfects the uptight, “I’m better than you”, museum curator Miss Sandra who attracts the affections of both Chad and Jim Haller, Natalie’s father played by Bob Bedore. Bedore expertly portrays a caring father who is distracted by his desire to find love again, and humorously stumbles through the day. He is guided in his quest by long-time friend and single mother Sylvia (MeriLynne Michaelis). MeriLynne Michaelis is brassy, fun, full of love, and a lot of attitude. She tenderly leads the cast in singing the heartfelt song “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and then demonstrates her amazing vocal talent in “There’s Always Me”. My only complaint is she doesn’t sing more songs.
The sweetheart couple of this enthusiastic cast is Dean, Erik Peterson, and Lorraine, Anna Sanford. The characters of Dean and Lorraine are absolutely cute and charming. This duet exudes chemistry especially during their number, “It’s Now or Never”. Mayor Matilda Hyde creates laws to stifle love but eventually softens her heart when Sheriff Earl finally speaks and expresses his feelings. This duo portrayed by Jeannine Hawkins and Joshua Hawkins interact well with each other and their extreme personalities add humor to help break up intense moments.
A musical relies on the ensemble to work its magic and the talent assembled by Michelle Groves and her team fill this bill to perfection. Each and every member of the ensemble make this production work. Joshua Lyon stands out, in a good way, and my eyes were drawn to his charismatic character. He is full of energy and life and definitely gives 110% to his performance.
The choreography by Judy Binns is executed beautifully by both leads and ensemble, it is both simple and difficult and adds excitement to the musical numbers. Denise Gull and Agnes Broberg designed costumes that are both sophisticated and simple and perfectly period. It is fun to see various hairstyles of the 1950s and not have every girl wearing a ponytail with a scarf. Music Director Marla Hintze does a great job coaching the vocals and ensuring the show sounds as good as it looks. Every song sounds great and the harmonies blend beautifully.
All Shook Up makes you feel good. If you’ve had a bad week, a bad day, or a bad hour, this show will fill your soul with happiness. Tickets can be bought at the door, but I would recommend getting them in advance; seats are limited and I would expect sold out crowds.
The Sugar Factory Playhouse All Shook Up, book by Joe DiPietro, featuring the songs of Elvis Presley.
Midvale Performing Arts Center 695 Center Street, Midvale Utah 84047
July 12-14, 16, 19-21, 23, 7:30 PM, July 14 2:00 PM matinee
Tickets: $5-$8 Tickets may be purchased in advance at Macey’s grocery store in West Jordan (7859 S 3200 W. West Jordan, Utah 84088) or at the door with cash or check.
The Sugar Factory Playhouse Facebook Page
All Shook Up Facebook Page
Photos by Travis Green
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