Theater Review: "All Shook Up" at Goodspeed Musicals

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

The birthplace of the musical “All Shook Up” is Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre in 2004. Now the cheerful musical inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley has been transferred to the Opera House stage to mark the 20th anniversary of its brief Broadway run.

Associate Artistic Director Michael Fling writes in his program notes that the negative view of jukebox musicals at the time “bogged down what had been a delightful, carefree romp.” The show limped along for a six-month run with “subpar notices” and “little fanfare.” However, regional theaters and amateur groups have embraced the musical, so much so that the licensing rights managed to recoup the show’s initial investment.

Daniel Goldstein, who was the associate director of both the original Terris and Broadway productions, has led the production team to bring the show back to its charming roots and celebrate its enduring, crowd-pleasing appeal.

The book by Joe DiPietro links together the songs made famous by Elvis with a story about the repressed residents of a “square” American town in the fifties. DiPietro worked with the wealth of Elvis’ music that focuses on love.

When Chad, a leather-clad “Roustabout,” rolls into town on his motorbike, he “shakes up” a romantic awakening for many of the characters. It soon became clear to me that the plot line was inspired by the romance comedies of William Shakespeare, particularly “Twelfth Night,” adding in some themes of homosexuality and segregation. This unexpected mash up of the music of Elvis with the work of the Bard is a light-hearted romp that unfolds in two acts.

The Equity cast perform their characters that border on caricatures with plenty of earnestness and innate talent.

Ryan Mac makes his Goodspeed debut in the role of the handsome Chad, released from jail in “Jailhouse Rock,” with aplomb and a great singing voice.

On press night, Montria Walker covered the role of Sylvia, L Morgan Lee usually plays the role of the no-nonsense African-American owner of Sylvia's Honky-Tonk. The adorable Jackera Davis is absolutely convincing as the teenaged Lorraine, Sylvia’s daughter, in her Goodspeed debut.

Kerstin Anderson gets to make a Shakespearean gender switch in the role of Natalie Heller/Ed.
In his Goodspeed debut, Jordan Matthew Brown plays the slightly nerdy Dennis. Benjamin Howes (“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” at Goodspeed) shines in the role of Natalie’s widowed dad, Jim Haller.

Amy Hillner Larsen (seen on Broadway as Belinda in the original cast of “Once Upon a One More Time”) is a scene stealer in the role of the straight-laced Mayor of this hamlet, Mayor Matilda. Kilty Reidy, who played Dennis Dupree in Sharon Playhouse’s “Rock of Ages,” is her perfect foil as the stoic Sheriff Earl.

Jackson Reagin, who played Buddy in the National Tour of “Elf,” is Dean, the son of the Mayor and Jessica Crouch takes on the part of the blond bombshell, Miss Sandra. Crouch was in the original Broadway cast of “Pretty Woman” and played Kit De Luca in the First National tour.

The ten members of the ensemble carry off a multitude of costume changes and dance well when they fill the Goodspeed stage for the production numbers, which features spirited choreography by Byron Easley.

The musicians bring all of the music by The King to life nicely and never overpower the singers. The scenic design by Beowulf Borrit never overpowers the tiny Goodspeed stage and the sound design by Jay Hilton is noticeably excellent. Lighting design by Paige Seber works well and memorable props include multiple pairs of “Blue Suede Shoes,” handlebars that emit smoke in their wake, a bus in pieces, and a half of a bike for Lorraine to ride. Elaborate costumes and prop frames come together as famous paintings in the town’s museum.

Costumes designed by Tilly Grimes fit the small town feel in the fifties era and move well. Hair, makeup and wigs by Tommy Kurzman complete the costume ensembles effectively.

The score of “All Shook Up” includes the expected Elvis classics like “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender” and “Hound Dog,” as well as some less familiar pieces. Audiences “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with this musical that continues at Goodspeed through Aug. 24. Best availability is in August. https://bit.ly/46Av3ey

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

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