This seems to be the season for
rock and roll nostalgia. There’s “Hairspray” at the Summer Theatre of New
Canaan, “The Bikinis” playing at Long
Wharf
Danielle Bowen and Preston Ellis
The musical, with book by Joe
DiPietro, is a mash-up of “Footloose” and Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,”
channeled through Elvis Presley. Directed and choreographed by Richard Amelius,
“All Shook Up” is a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek romp through much of the
Presley songbook that follows a young grease monkey named Natalie (Bowen) who
falls for a motorcycling roustabout named Chad (Ellis) when he rolls into a
town that is more straight-laced than your great-aunt Mabel’s corset. Chad , a
fun-loving guy who has a way with women and juke boxes, feels it his mission to
bring some life to the repressed citizenry. His charisma is such that soon many
of the townsfolk start falling in love, with all of the wrong people, a game of
amorous Twister that is, literally, spotlighted in the finale to the first act,
a quite moving rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Complications abound, exacerbated
by the obligatory disguise of a young lady posing as a young man named Ed who
attempts to woo the sensuous Miss Sandra (a delightfully lustful Mara Jill
Herman) for Chad .
Miss Sandra is also being pursued by Natalie’s father, Jim (R. Bruce Connelly),
while Dennis is pursuing Natalie, while Sylvia (Onyie) is pursuing Jim, while
the taciturn Sherriff Earl (Larry Lewis) is silently pining for Mayor Matilda
Hyde (Melissa McLean) and the mayor’s son, Dean (Logan Scott Mitchell) is
tentatively making overture’s to Sylvia’s daughter, Lorraine (Danielle Famble).
Well, you get the picture. Of course, it all works out in the end with multiple
marriages and everyone proclaiming their “Burning Love” for their new mates.
Maria Jill Herman
Backed by seven musicians ensconced
in a pit hidden below the stage, the entire cast, including the male and female
ensembles, nails one Presley song after another, with “One Night With You” used
as a recurring, comedic theme. However, as noted above, it’s the two leads that
give the extra juice to this production.
Ellis, a seasoned pro, gives his
character just the right mix of sneer, bravado and joie de vivre – think Marlon
Brandon with manners. He also has great timing and a strong comedic sense about
him. Playing against him is Bowen who, amazingly enough, is only a rising
senior at Emerson
College Connecticut to grace one of its many
stages…before Broadway grabs her up and doesn’t let her go.
Danielle Bowen
So, if you’re an Elvis fan, or just
want to enjoy an all-smiles evening of summer theater, get yourself out to
Ivoryton. Yes, you’ll be “All Shook Up,” and will sense “The Power of Love.”
You’ll have to pledge to “Don’t Be Cruel” and be challenged to “Follow That
Dream,” question why “Fools Fall in Love” and, once again, acknowledge that we
all, at one time or another, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” In other words,
you’ll have a good time.
“All Shook Up” runs through July
27. For tickets or more information call 860-767-7318 or go to www.ivorytonplayhouse.org.
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