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All Shook Up (musical)

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All Shook Up
Promotional poster for original Broadway production of All Shook Up
Musicvarious
Lyricsvarious
BookJoe DiPietro
BasisInspired by the music of Elvis Presley and the works of William Shakespeare
Productions2005 Broadway
2006 United States tour
2009/2010 Dutch language version in The Netherlands, renamed Love Me Tender / All Shook Up
2014 Seoul
2015 UK Tour
2016 Seoul

2018 Elizabeth College, Hobart


2022 Clarin College Athenry

All Shook Up is a 2004 American jukebox musical with music from the Elvis Presley songbook and with a book by Joe DiPietro.

The show concerns the repressed residents of an unnamed American town in the 1950s who experience an awakening when a leather-clad guitar-strumming roustabout rolls into town. The story takes inspiration from the comedies of William Shakespeare, particularly Twelfth Night,[1] and explores themes such as authoritarianism, homosexuality, and segregation.

The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005.

Production history

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The musical had a developmental staging at the Goodspeed Musicals May 13-June 6, 2004, with most of the Broadway cast, except for Manley Pope in the lead role of Chad. Christopher Ashley directed, with choreography by Jody Moccia. The musical had a tryout in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace from December 19, 2004, through January 23, 2005.[1] After the tryout, changes were made to the finale and to add "a more specific instrumental and vocal voice" for Chad.[2]

Broadway

The musical premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on March 24, 2005, and closed on September 25, 2005, after 213 performances and 33 previews. Directed by Christopher Ashley, with choreography by Ken Roberson, the original Broadway cast included Cheyenne Jackson (Chad), Jenn Gambatese (Natalie Haller/"Ed"), and Jonathan Hadary (Jim Haller).[2][3][4]

US National tour

The US National tour played 35 cities in September 2006 – 2007, directed by Christopher Ashley, and featuring Joe Mandragona as Chad, and Jenny Fellner as Natalie.[5] Sergio Trujillo revised the choreography for the tour.[6]

"Love Me Tender" - 2015 UK Tour

In 2015, a UK tour of the show commenced at Manchester Opera House in June 2015 with the show being retitled "Love Me Tender". The production starred Mica Paris as 'Sylvia', Sian Reeves as ‘Mayor Matilda Hyde’, Shaun Williamson as ‘Jim’ and Ben Lewis as ‘Chad'.

Synopsis

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This synopsis is based on the current licensed version

Act One

Somewhere in the Midwest in the 1950s, Chad, a hip-swivelling, guitar-playing roustabout, is released from a weekend in jail ("Jailhouse Rock"). In a nearby dreary little town, a young mechanic named Natalie yearns for love and adventure, unaware that her best friend Dennis has a crush on her. Sitting in Sylvia's Honky-Tonk, the townspeople lament their feelings of loneliness ("Heartbreak Hotel"), before getting interrupted by the roar of a motorbike; Chad has arrived in town ("Roustabout").

In need of a mechanic, Chad is introduced to Natalie, who is instantly smitten ("One Night With You"). Upon learning that Mayor Matilda and the silent Sheriff Earl enforce the Mamie Eisenhower Decency Act, outlawing "loud music, public necking, and tight pants", Chad seeks to incite rebelliousness in the citizens ("C'mon Everybody"). Whilst Natalie repairs his motorbike, Chad inspires her to take to the open road ("Follow That Dream").

Chad recruits Dennis as his sidekick. The newly-formed duo meet the town's museum owner Miss Sandra, whom Chad instantly falls in love with ("One Night With You—Chad”). He attempts to smooth-talk her, but she resists ("Teddy Bear/Hound Dog"), retreating to the Honky-Tonk where Natalie's widowed father, Jim, also falls for her ("One Night With You—Jim”).

Matilda's teenage son, Dean, declares his love for Sylvia's daughter, Lorraine. Chad encourages their blossoming relationship, much to Sylvia's dismay ("That's All Right"). Matilda demands that Dean is sent away on a bus to military academy. However, Dean disobeys his mother to stay in town with Lorraine ("It's Now or Never").

Desperate for Chad's attention, Natalie disguises herself as a man named 'Ed' to become closer with him ("Love Me Tender"). Dressed as a leather-jacketed roustabout, Ed dramatically rides into town, with Chad instantly dropping Dennis as his sidekick in favor of him ("Blue Suede Shoes"). Jim seeks romance advice from Chad, both unaware they seek the same woman ("Don't Be Cruel"). Under Chad's orders, Ed visits the museum to give Sandra a Shakespearean sonnet, which Dennis had previously suggested. Incidentally, Sandra finds herself attracted to Ed ("One Night With You—Sandra”). Flustered, Ed tries leaving, but Sandra is intent on seducing him ("Let Yourself Go").

Matilda, appalled that Dean has stayed in town to be with Lorraine, vows to arrest Chad due to his influence. Ed suggests that Chad should hide in the town's abandoned fairgrounds to evade capture. Jim, now with extra confidence, condemns Sylvia for having grown so bitter, and gives her a very surprising kiss. Soon, everyone in town find themselves escaping to the fairgrounds, searching for someone to love ("Can't Help Falling in Love").

Act Two

In the midst of the abandoned fairgrounds, the townspeople are restless and randy ("All Shook Up"). Dennis reveals to Natalie that he's upset about the way Chad treats her, however she disregards his worries ("It Hurts Me"). Disguised as Ed, Natalie attempts to bond with Chad by asking for advice on how to seduce a woman, but accidentally kisses him in the process, leaving the two of them stunned ("A Little Less Conversation"). Chad and Jim realize they are both in love with the same woman: Sandra, who is lustfully searching the fairgrounds for Ed ("Power Of My Love"). Chad is initially enraged, but soon realizes that he too has feelings for his new sidekick ("I Don't Want To").

Meanwhile, Matilda and Earl search the fairgrounds for the elusive roustabout ("Devil In Disguise"). Jim, heartbroken that Sandra doesn't care for him, comes across Sylvia, who confesses her feelings for him ("There's Always Me"). Dean and Lorraine plan to leave town, but they run into Chad, who convinces them to stay and fight for their love ("If I Can Dream").

Chad, Dean, and Lorraine confront Matilda. Earl finally breaks his silence, denying Matilda's orders to arrest Chad and instead confessing his love for her. With a newfound acceptance of love, Matilda allows Dean and Lorraine to remain together, as does Sylvia ("Can't Help Falling In Love -reprise"). Chad bravely confesses his feelings for Ed, who proceeds to reveal his true identity being Natalie. Shocked and afraid, Chad rushes to leave town. Dennis takes the opportunity to confess his long-time crush to Natalie, who kindly rejects him. However, he and Sandra notice a common admiration for Shakespeare and subsequently fall in love with each other ("One Night With You—Sandra and Dennis”). Left alone with her father Jim, Natalie reconciles with Chad's absence ("Fools Fall In Love").

Some time later, a triple wedding consisting of Jim & Sylvia, Matilda & Earl and Dennis & Sandra takes place. Chad makes an unexpected return to the town, interrupting the wedding and declaring his love for Natalie. She decides to pursue her dreams with him and hit the open road together. The brides and grooms marry while the town celebrates ("Burning Love").

Characters

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Source (copied directly from the All Shook Up libretto):[3][4][7]

  • Chad - A great-lookin’, motorcyclin’, guitar-playin’, leather-jacketed roustabout.
  • Natalie Haller - A young woman and an excellent mechanic. She’s much more at home in greasy overalls than in a dress.
  • Dennis - A awkward young man. He aspires to be a dentist.
  • Jim Haller - Natalie's widowed father. Middle-aged and messy, he still longs for his wife.
  • Sylvia - The no-nonsense African-American owner of Sylvia's Honky-Tonk.
  • Miss Sandra - The beautiful, intellectual caretaker of the town's museum.
  • Lorraine - Sylvia’s teenage daughter. Pretty, smart and a total romantic.
  • Dean Hyde - Matilda's teenage son. He had spent his youth at military boarding schools, and he has never disobeyed his mother.
  • Mayor Matilda Hyde - The town's conservative mayor.
  • Sheriff Earl - The law in town and a man of not many words. He loyally follows the Mayor wherever she goes.
  • Henrietta - A townsperson, one of Natalie’s friends.
  • Ensemble
    • Fella
    • Warden
    • Bus Driver
    • Number 3
    • Number 47

Casts

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Character Broadway US Tour UK Tour Rose Theater
2005 2006 2015 2021
Chad Cheyenne Jackson Joe Mandragona Ben Lewis Miles Frog
Natalie Haller Jenn Gambatese Jenny Fellner Laura Tebbutt Alex Nataled
Jim Haller Jonathan Hadary Wally Dunn Shaun Williamson Son Cole
Sylvia Sharon Wilkins NaTasha Yvette Williams Mica Paris Mother Emily
Miss Sandra Leah Hocking Susan Anton Kate Tydman Finn Ryder
Sheriff Earl John Jellison David Benoit Chris Howell Leon Sunflower
Mayor Matilda Hyde Alix Korey Beth Glover Siân Reeves Audrey Borealis
Dennis Mark Price Dennis Moench Mark Anderson Ly Mountain
Dean Hyde Curtis Holbrook Brian Sears Felix Mosse Seven '007' Neves
Lorraine Nikki M. James Valisia Lekae Little Aretha Ayeh Mahalet Ednik

Song list (Licensed)

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Instrumentation

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The original Broadway production had fifteen musicians, including the musical director and associate conductor. The original production was scored for two keyboards, two guitars, electric bass, drums, percussion, four woodwinds, three trumpets, and trombone. The first keyboard part was played by the conductor and the second keyboard part also doubled on organ. The first woodwind part doubled on piccolo, flute, clarinet, and alto sax; the second on flute, clarinet, and alto sax; the third on clarinet and tenor sax; the fourth on bass clarinet and baritone sax. There were also three trumpets where the first trumpet is the lead trumpet. The trumpets also doubled on flugelhorn.

The orchestration that is under the current license is based on the national tour version; there are only twelve musicians. The percussion part is removed, there are now three woodwind parts, and two trumpets. The rest remain the same. This time the first woodwind part doubles on flute and alto sax; the second on clarinet and tenor sax; the third on bass clarinet and baritone sax.

Original Broadway production

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Year Award Category Nominee Result
2005 Drama Desk Award Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical David Rockwell Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Broadway Musical Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Cheyenne Jackson Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Jenn Gambatese Nominated
Theatre World Award Cheyenne Jackson Won

Recording

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The Original Broadway cast recording was released on May 31, 2005, by BMG Marketing.

Controversy

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The musical was the source of a minor controversy when students put it on at Herriman High School in Utah. After discussion, the play was allowed to go on after "minor edits to Presley’s songs and scene changes" to reduce its sexuality.[8]

See also

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For other plays relating to Elvis Presley, see also Cooking with Elvis.

References

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  1. ^ a b Jones, Kenneth. " 'All Shook Up', the Musical, Gets Its Inspiration from Shakespeare and Elvis" Playbill, December 6, 2004
  2. ^ a b Jones, Kenneth. "Casting Announced for Goodspeed's All Shook Up, Musical With Songs Elvis Made Famous" Archived 2005-01-14 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, April 8, 2004 and Jones, Kenneth." 'All Shook Up' Starts Feb. 20 at a Palace Fit for The King" Archived 2008-07-19 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, February 20, 2005
  3. ^ a b " All Shook Up Broadway" Playbill, retrieved February 19, 2018
  4. ^ a b Sommer, Elyse. " All Shook Up review" Curtain Up, March 19, 2005
  5. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Cast Announced for 'All Shook Up' National Tour" Playbill, July 31, 2006
  6. ^ Rizzo, Frank. "Review Boston. 'All Shook Up'" Variety, September 28, 2006
  7. ^ "ALL SHOOK UP SCRIPT". online.fliphtml5.com. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  8. ^ Foy, Paul (January 3, 2013). "Utah school to censure Elvis musical; parent 'All Shook Up' over lyrics, cross-dressing". Times Colonist. Archived from the original on 2018-02-01. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
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