'All Shook Up' at the Warner Theatre - My Review

The 2004 jukebox musical All Shook Up was inspired by and features the songs of Elvis Presley and was originally produced for Connecticut's Goodspeed Musicals. Of course the music of The King is a great starting point. One great song after the other is worked nicely into the book by Joe Dipietro that is based on Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night. I know...Elvis and Shakespeare? Rest assured that the result is two and half hours of high-energy fun that will appeal to both Elvis fans and anyone else who heads to Torrington to see the outstanding community theater production running through May 11. This is a "must see" in my book.

*Here is a great deal: Mother's Day SPECIAL   Call or come in the box office, say "I Love Mom" and buy one ticket, get one for Mom free! Good for the Sunday, May 11 performance only.

The story follows a mysterious leather-jacket wearing stranger (played to perfection by Ian Diedrich) who shakes up a small and very square Midwestern town in the 1950s.

I had an excellent complimentary seat for the first matinee and had the pleasure of chatting with Rep-Am theater critic Joanne Rochman who was seated in front of me. Director Sharon A. Wilcox has done an amazing job of staging this piece and served as co-choreographer with Sheila Waters Fucci; the dancing was challenging and a joy to watch as the talented dancers rose to the challenges. I never get tired of watching the guys dance alone, as they did in the beginning of "Blue Suede Shoes." It was also the first time I have seen dancer partners working with a ball and chain as they danced for "Jailhouse Rock."

Aaron J. (A.J.) Bunel was the musical director and conducted the amazing orchestra that sat onstage. The great set designed by the director (because she had nothing else to do) is used well. The impressive costumes by Renee Purdy are perfect for the period and included some specialty items like statue costumes that allow for dancing.

Now on to the amazing cast. Warning: Gushing ahead.

Mr. Diedrich reprises his role as Chad in this production; the first time was four years ago at the Thomaston Opera House. The actor brought a certain amount of maturity to the role of the slightly dim-witted but undeniably sexy roustabout, all the while being so charming as he literally flirted with female audience members from the stage. He truly is a star and I smiled the entire time he was onstage.

As his adoring but disguised-as-a guy sidekick Natalie (the complications of Shakespearean plays!) Sarah Skrip had an Indina Menzel quality and was perfect with Mr. Diedrich. This is only her second show at the Warner and I look forward to her future performances. As Natalie's father Jim, Jim Wood was in his element back on the Warner sage. Gia Wright is a young woman playing older in the role of Sylvia and she sang beautifully her solo "There's Always Me." Sylvia's daughter was played by young Khadija Ansari and this girl can also sing.

Meric Martin is a riot in the role of Chad's first sidekick, the geeky but kindhearted Dennis. I loved his bespectacled pratfalls and I was glad to hear his amazing tenor voice in "It Hurts Me." Rebecca Pokorski was the perfect Matilda, the mayor who mandates decency in her town. Noel Roberge is great as her son Dean, one half of a pair of star-crossed lovers. The town's sheriff who doesn't speak until the end of the second act is played by George Murphy.

In the sultry role of museum worker Miss Sandra, Mary Cantoni-Johnson is perfectly cast. One Night with Fanny Brice, the one-woman show that Ms. Johnson does best, is soon to be returning to New York's 13th Street Repertory Company. Don't miss her character's reference to Waterbury.

The ensemble includes a slew of talented singer/dancers and did an amazing job with both in their scenes. I loved the bus trip scene and all of the production numbers were so much fun. Shout outs to Waterbury's Frank Beaudry, the lovely Madalyn Sheehy, dancer/choreographer Jennifer Bunger and Cole Sutton. Special mention to Greek chorus member/Henrietta the waitress (and former Taffeta) Alyssa Fontana Bunel who had the look to fit perfectly into the fifties era although she is far too young.

In a fun twist, the Warner has invited celebrities to appear in the first act. With only 45 minutes of rehearsal, they appear as special guest warden. At the matinee, Warner Chairman of the Board Brian Mattiello did a great job in the role.