A light-hearted comedy with romantic overtones and some nifty dance numbers set to Elvis Presley tunes make the Drayton Entertainment production of All Shook Up a fun night at the theatre.
While the show, currently onstage at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge is a musical set in the ‘50s, don’t expect to see anyone portraying the King of Rock and Roll. This is not a bio-play, but rather a fictional story built around the artist’s music, basically the same genre as Mamma Mia! In fact, All Shook Up shares a number of cast members with Drayton’s recently-completed run of the popular Abba musical, including Danielle Wade who plays the female lead in both shows, and Blythe Wilson who portrayed Donna in Mamma Mia! and gets to once again showcase her amazing vocal power as the head-turning “Miss Sandra” in this production.
Wade, who also played Anne Shirley in last year’s production of Anne of Green Gables also has a standout voice. However in this show she gets more of an opportunity to demonstrate her considerable acting chops in a role that requires her to spend much of her stage time impersonating a man.
The story contains plot elements in common with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and pays homage to Elvis’ influence on early rock ‘n’ roll and the rebellious youth culture of the ‘50s. There’s also a bit of Footloose going on, in a stuffy town where singing and dancing are considered criminal activity. Most of the comedy is generated from the numerous love triangles and Wade’s character’s efforts to pass herself off as a guy in order to get closer to Chad, a hip-swivelling bad boy who rides into town on his bike. Played by Patrick Cook, who exudes considerable charm and a strong voice in the role, Chad is the comic catalyst around which most of the action revolves.
Tomboy mechanic Natalie Haller (Wade) has big dreams of escaping the rigid midwest town but gets caught up helping Chad fix his bike while hoping he’ll notice her charms.
Vanessa Sears as free-spirted teen Lorraine and Graham Parkhurst as the son of the uptight town’s mayor create an engaging side-plot based on “forbidden love” and their duet on It’s Now or Never, is a highlight of the show.
Karen Wood demonstrates a knack for strong characterization as Mayor Matilda Hyde and works well off of Nick Settimi, who elicits plenty of laughs as Sheriff Earl.
In a show like this, the plot, while entertaining, is largely an excuse for some song and dance numbers set to Elvis music and the show kicks off with a great one in a rousing rendition of Jailhouse Rock. If there’s any disappointment, it’s that the talented ensemble including Christy Adamson, Sam DiGuiseppe, Graeme Goodhall, Mark Harapiak, Judy Kovacs, Erik Markewich, Sarah Matton, Jade Repeta, Christine Watson and Tyrell Witherspoon, seem a little under-utlized. The big dance numbers here are well received and the show could have benefited from even more.
That said, director Lee MacDougall, music director Steve Thomas and choreographer Mike Jackson all do a great job in their niches as the acting, dancing and musical elements blend seamlessly into an entertaining, high-energy show.
All Shook Up runs through July 10 at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge.
Regular performance tickets are $44 for adults and $26 for youth under 20. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, online at www.dunfieldtheatrecambridge.com or by calling the box office at (519) 621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
