Stage Door News
Stage Door News
CAMBRIDGE – Thank you, thank you very much! Audiences are jumping out of their blue suede shoes as the fun-filled ‘50s musical comedy All Shook Up dances onto the stage at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge for three weeks only. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, this lively musical romance has everybody falling in love now to July 10.
“All Shook Up is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “It’s funny, upbeat and packed with great tunes that will appeal to all generations, not just those who grew up on Elvis’ music.”
Based loosely on the storyline of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, All Shook Up is inspired by Elvis’s influence on early rock ‘n’ roll and the rebellious youth culture of the fifties. Like Twelfth Night, the story centres on numerous love triangles and features a young woman trying to pass herself off as a boy, in order to get closer a particular guy.
It's 1955 and tomboy mechanic Natalie Haller has big dreams of escaping her rigid Midwest town where loud music, public necking and tight pants have been outlawed. Life gets a little more exciting when Chad, a rebellious, guitar-playing bad boy rides into town. His bike is making weird noises, and Natalie insists she can repair it, hoping Chad will look her way. Unfortunately, he only has eyes for Miss Sandra, the lovely museum curator who is the object of every man’s affection. In hopes of earning his admiration, Natalie disguises herself as "Ed" and befriends Chad. Will she will his heart?
Natalie’s not the only one looking for love. Chad’s arrival challenges the values and relationships of the entire town. It seems like everybody is falling in love with somebody. Who’ll fall in love? You’ll have to see it to find out!
Danielle Wade, who won rave reviews for her portrayals of Sophie in Mamma Mia! and Anne in Anne of Green Gables, delivers another standout performance as Natalie, the motherless girl searching for love and adventure. Her plucky performance is both whacky and wistful, and her stellar voice soars on familiar tunes like “A Little Less Conversation” and “Fools Fall in Love.”
Patrick Cook proves he has the Elvis-type magnetism to makes audiences swoon – he struts and swivels his hips in requisite Presley manner as the motorcycle-riding hunk of burning love, Chad. Cook has the looks, the moves and the charisma of a bonafide heartthrob – and the knockout voice of a 50s rock ‘n’ roll crooner, which is particularly evident on numbers like “Jailhouse Rock,” “All Shook Up” and “I Don’t Want To.” Cook and Wade have palpable chemistry and their flawless voices blend beautifully on the duets “Follow That Dream” and “Love Me Tender.”
Fresh from her acclaimed performance as Donna in Mamma Mia!, Blythe Wilson turns heads as Miss Sandra, the seemingly prim and proper museum curator turned Monroe-esque siren, who has fallen for someone who isn’t quite as he seems. Colin Sheen shines as Natalie’s nerdy and devoted best friend Dennis, who is perpetually second fiddle and has a secret crush on her. His yearning rendition of “It Hurts Me” is a highlight.
In her Drayton Entertainment debut, Vanessa Sears is earnest and lovable as 16-year-old Lorraine, who just can’t help falling in love with Dean, the son of the uptight Mayor, played by a boyish and charming Graham Parkhurst. The forbidden romance between Lorraine and Dean is a sweet storyline – their duet “It’s Now or Never” is a tender moment.
Jenni Burke brings her signature sassy persona to the role of Sylvia, Lorraine’s no-nonsense mother and the owner of Sylvia’s Honky-Tonk, who’s got burgeoning feelings for a certain someone.
Sheldon Davis shows off his fine-tuned comic timing as Jim Haller, Natalie’s widowed father who finds himself involved in romantic pursuits of his own. Davis and Cook make a hilarious duo when they take on the classic song “Don’t Be Cruel.”
Karen Wood is funny and forthright as the strict Mayor Matilda Hyde, who is horrified at the town’s slipping morality. Wood’s comedic facial expressions are in fine form in her uproarious rendition of the well-known tune “Devil in Disguise.” Funnyman Nick Settimi elicits plenty of laughs as the Mayor’s hen-pecked Sheriff, Earl who dotes on her.
Christy Adamson, Sam DiGuiseppe, Graeme Goodhall, Mark Harapiak, Judy Kovacs, Erik Markewich, Sarah Matton, Jade Repeta, Christine Watson and Tyrell Witherspoon round out the talented ensemble.
The stellar cast is in skilful hands with Director Lee MacDougall, who brings out the best in each performer making this lively gem sparkle. MacDougall keeps the pace swift and the comedy light ensuring that this entertaining production is packed with great tunes, great moves and great fun.
Music Director Steve Thomas leads a top notch band through the fun-filled score, invoking the spirit and complexity of Elvis’s rich musical legacy. Theatregoers will be delighted as this jukebox musical explodes into full-throttled joy with renditions of Elvis’s greatest hits – classics like "Heartbreak Hotel," "Can’t Help Falling in Love," "Hound Dog" and many, many more.
Choreographer Mike Jackson enhances the joyful spirit of the production with energetic and athletic choreography that suits the period and keeps the audience engaged.
Allan Wilbee’s era-appropriate set design aptly conveys various settings from the auto shop to Sylvia’s Honky Tonk, the Museum Gardens, and the Old Fairgrounds. The creative scenery is enhanced by Jeff Johnston Collins’ vibrant lighting design. Costume Designer Adrienne Vranckaert creates a colourful array of fifties fashions that match the production’s effervescent atmosphere.
With a story penned by Joe DiPietro (Memphis, Over the River and Through the Woods, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change), All Shook Up premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 2005. The hit jukebox musical continues to be performed around the world.
All Shook Up is proudly sponsored by JG Group of Companies. Media Sponsors are 1460 CJOY, Magic 106.1, and Forever Young Information. The Design Sponsors are EVO Kitchen and ubu Hair & Body. The 2016 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
Don’t miss your chance to get “all shook up!” This hip-swivelling, lip-curling musical fantasy is on stage through July 10 at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge.
Regular performance tickets are $44.00 for adults; $26.00 for youth under 20 years of age. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, online at www.dunfieldtheatrecambridge.com or by calling the Box Office at (519) 621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
Photo: Patrick Cook and ensemble. ©2016 Hilary Gauld Camilleri.
2016-06-24
Cambridge: "All Shook Up" opens at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge tonight