Mindy Lym & David Sattler star in All Shook Up at Center Rep
ALL SHOOK UP; Book by Joe DiPietro. Inspired by and Featuring the Songs of Elvis Presley. Musical Director Dolores Duran-Cefalu. Directed and Choreographed by Robert Barry Fleming. Center REPertory Company, LesherCenter for the Arts (LCA), 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA.925.943.7469. or www.centerREP.org.
Through October 10, 2009.
ALL SHOOK UP AT CENTER REP WILL BE A SELL OUT SHOW
Artistic Director Michael Butler and staff selected the rousing musical All Shook Up to open their 2009-2010 season and it was (is) a brilliant move that will keep the 300-seat theater filled for its entire run. It is an Elvis Presley inspired show that opens with roustabout Chad (David Sattler) and ensemble backup, belting “Jailhouse Rock” as he is released from his night in jail getting ready to hit the road. Jailer (Ron Pickett) reluctantly hands over three “love letters’, one each from his daughter, wife AND mother! Gentlemen, lock up your lady friends, all generations will be swooning over hip swinging Elvis inspired Chad as he roars onto center stage riding his Harley Davidson start kicking an evening of musical/dancing fun that will bring tears to your eyes from laughter and cheers during this must see production. You won’t even have to put a nickel in the Jukebox when Chad’s magic touch will do the trick.
After having enjoyed the National Touring version of All Shook Up at the 2500 seat San Jose Musical theatre in 2007, I can unequivocally aver that the CenterRep venue is the perfect size for this show. The spectacular energy generated by a top-notch cast, on the bright ingenious set (Kelly James Tighe), enfolds the audience as they clap and cheer ending the evening with a standing ovation. You will have to wait until the second act to hear the title song but before that, your ears will be treated with the hip-swinging songs made famous by Elvis from 1953 well into the 60s that defined the start of the Rock ‘n Role era. The opening number gets your juices your juices rolling as the songs project pathos, humor and social conscience woven into the energy of the dancing and singing. A sample of the songs are: “Heartbreak Hotel”, “One Night with You”, “Hound Dog”, “Love me Tender”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Let Yourself Go”, “Can’t Help Fallin in Love”, “There’s Always Me”, “Fools Fall in Love” and many others.
The book by Joe DiPietro, of I Love You, Your’re Perfect, Now Change fame, is based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” where a young girl disguises herself as a boy to further her pursuit of the man she loves. Inexplicably All Shook UP opened at the Palace Theatre in New York in 2005 and closed after only 213 performances. The road show was less successful probably because it relied on the reputation of a former Miss America contestant, playing the role of Miss Sandra, to draw in the crowds.
There is a theme to the story defined by the song “Follow That Dream.” Natalie (marvelous voiced Mindy Lym)) is smitten in love with Chad who in turn is ga-ga over sexpot museum director (no that is not an oxymoron) Miss Sandra (Elise Youssef ). Youssef’s portrayal of Miss Sandra beats the Miss America wannabe by a mile (huba-huba!). Sattler mimics the hip-swinging Elvis moves with deft style as the words and dance actions carry the plot with great support from the cast that competes for applause. The “lesser” cast members each have their turn to express and follow that dream with show stopping spins on center stage.
It is the summer of 1955 in a “small you-never-heard-of it town, somewhere in the Midwest” where kissing in public, dancing and having any kind of fun is verboten by uptight Mayor Matilda Hyde (Linda Devito). As the black-jacketed roustabout Chad rolls into town on his Harley he meets Natalie who has dreams of “hitting the road.” We know the love bug has bitten her as she swoons to the words of “One Night with You” which becomes a recurring refrain for other lovers to be. Alas, Chad discourages her with his oft-repeated brag “I’ve had LOTS of women.” Within the 24 hours that Chad is around, the entire town falls under the spell of this modern day Pied Piper to the refrain of “Blue Suede Shoes.” All the townspeople end up wearing the magical blue suede shoes.
Local milquetoast Dennis (Benjamin Prither), in love with Natalie, offers a suggestion that she masquerade as “Ed” to become Chad’s sidekick thus “keeping close” to Chad. Chad sends Ed/Natalie as his emissary to Miss Sandra who falls in love with Ed/Natalie. Unexpectantly, Chad falls in love with Ed/Natalie leading to emotional conflict about his own sexuality. This gender bending twist is exploited for great laughs near the end of the play.
Casting director Jennifer Perry has rounded up a fantastic cast. Sattler mimics the hip-swiveling Elvis moves with deft style and strong voice to give proper “Elvis style” to his singing. Show stopping moments in song and dance abound. In the ingénue roles Anika Bobb (as Lorraine) Jason Hite (as Dean Hyde) are a perfect match as his quiet demeanor contrasts with her vivacious personality. Colin Thomson (as Jim Haller) playing Natalie’s balding father has many comic moments especially when he, under Chad and Miss Sandra’s spell, dons his own black jacket and blue suede shoes. Andrea Brembry (as Sylvia) dominates the stage in her solo numbers as she falls under the spell of blue suede shoes and Jim Hallers advances. Benjamin Pither (as Dennis) makes a brilliant transformation from the reticent suitor to the love attraction of Miss Sandra. Lynda DiVito (as uptight dominatrix Mayor Matilda Hyde) is hysterically humorous in her transformation with a true show stopping turn that brings the house down. Even Ron Pickett (as Sheriff Earl) who has a non-speaking role through most of show displays a great singing voice and strong stage presence with his two minute dominance of Mayor Matilda.
All the voices are excellent and there are myriad classy stage actions. You’ll never see a more cleverly staged scene then where a bicycle chases a schematic Greyhound bus full people leaving town. The museum scene with statues coming to life is worth the price of admission. Robert Barry Fleming’s direction and choreography are well suited for the young cast as they cavort about the attractive sets in eye-catching 1960 costumes by Melissa Anne Davis under Kurt Landisman’s imaginative lighting.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic production and buy your ticket now. Running time about 2 hours and 15 minutes with an intermission.
Mindy Lym & David Sattler star in All Shook Up at Center Rep