Program Notes
“All Shook Up” is an unforgettable show that will have you talking about it for days. So exciting and full of laughter, love and romance. Speaking of romance, I strongly suggest that our audience have an understanding of Shakespeare’s 18th Sonnet, which is where the story line comes from. Understanding Shakespeare’s sonnet will help the audience grasp the love triangle that’s affecting the characters.
The American influence on teenagers was huge in the 50’s. Rock and Roll idols including Elvis Presley, Bill Hayley, Jerry Lee Lewis and film stars James Dean and Marlon Brando set fashions almost unwittingly. The main looks for teenagers were greasers and preppies. Greasers followed the standard black leather and denim jeans look. They raced about town on motorbikes and were consider outrageous. Preppie qualities were neatness, tidiness and grooming. Teen girls wore full dirndl or circular skirts with large appliqués on their clothing. Neat pleated skirts were also popular. The pleated skirts were made from a then new fabric that was polyester which helped maintain razor sharp sunray pleating.
Back to the show, some of Presley favorites from his music in the show was "Heartbreak Hotel" to "Burning Love" into the peppier "All Shook Up" which blends these songs into such a bright, brassy blur that it's hard to distinguish one from another. The numbers have been unconditionally purged of the menacing sex appeal that once made Presley appear so dangerous to parents of teenagers. Just to make things perfectly clear - and to forestall disappointment for a certain species of fan - there are no bona fide Elvis impersonators in view. The leading man is instead an airbrushed, edgeless composite of the young Presley A leather-jacketed, bike-riding, blue-suede-shoe-wearing roustabout named Chad. He is played with winking good humor and subjected to the kind of soft, family-friendly parody common to variety-show sketches from four or five decades ago.
The plot: Chad arrives in a small Midwestern town that is smarting under an inhibiting "decency proclamation," instituted by its uptight mayor Matilida and teaches the squares how to swing. This means that the hormones of just about everybody - from a sweet young garage mechanic Natalie to her lonely, widowed dad Jim Haller- start percolating and love crosses forbidden boundaries of race and gender.
"All Shook Up" crams as many familiar songs as it can into its two acts, with deliberately corny, oft-repeated segues of dialogue. On first meeting objects of their lust, characters wail the title lyrics from "One Night With You."
"All Shook Up," the Elvis Presley-inspired show that is pumping its plastic pelvis at several theaters around the world, is unlikely to evoke anything close to such extreme, last-straw responses from its audiences. Within its unimaginative but ever-expanding subgenre - the prefab musical that takes its score from Top 40 hits of the past - this production actually rates as slicker and more skillful than most.
The audience is about to see how the development in the western world of the 1950s were generally considered both socially conservative in the law of the time period in the play. Within this law they had roles that encouraged or enforced traditional values or behaviors, But once Chad shows up, it takes the townspeople for a twist and there values and beliefs are thrown out the window.
But this relative slickness only highlights the emptiness of "All Shook Up," which uses songs made popular by Presley to fuel a fairy tale about a pleasure-challenged small town during the Eisenhower era.
The conflict in the story line of the musical would be the interracial dating but the time period and the issues that African Americans had to deal with then, but to some viewers it may be a little offensive when it comes to some of the context used. For instance the law within the show against interracial dating and the language that’s used which is not to harmful but someone may get offended. You see this romantic relationship spark between Dean and Lorraine which causes a lot of chaos between the two of there families and how they have to hide out in the old fairgrounds just to be together and be happy but then later you will see what happens, which may be a shock, but all worth seeing.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Broadway National Tour of "All Shook UP" in september of 2006
Reviewer: Sandra MacDonald
With some notable exceptions, however, the touring production of the show doesn't get much of a boost from its principals. Joe Mandragona may have the requisite physique for the Presleyesque roustabout Chad, but his pelvic gyrations don't generate much heat. Maybe that's because his voice is rather high and thin. What's a Presley without that warm tremolo guaranteed to set aural G-spots thrumming?
Reviewer: Sandra MacDonald
With some notable exceptions, however, the touring production of the show doesn't get much of a boost from its principals. Joe Mandragona may have the requisite physique for the Presleyesque roustabout Chad, but his pelvic gyrations don't generate much heat. Maybe that's because his voice is rather high and thin. What's a Presley without that warm tremolo guaranteed to set aural G-spots thrumming?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
'All Shook Up' rocks at Siera Rep
Oct-dec, 2008 in California
MILLEGAN: It will shake you up
By Lisa Millegan
MILLEGAN: It will shake you up
By Lisa Millegan
Director-choreographer Scott Viets
Set Designers-Randall A. Enlow and Jennifer Fletcher's
Mayor Matilda (Jennylind Parris, center) has a crisis when the town goes love-struck. http://www.modbee.com/arts/reviews/story/478066.html
2½ hours, including intermission
Statement Producing the Play: Well if I were to produce this play conflicts to me would be, How would I go about casting for the show. For each role would I want the exact description of what the characters really portray, like age or ethnicity . For example, do I want Mrs. Sandra to be an older Caucasian women between the age of 25 to 30 years of age or would I not go by traditional castings. Mrs. Sandra’s character is a very sexy smart and seductive women and if I were to cast this character I would love to cast her as a Latin women. The songs that she sing and the script to me seems like it would be really interesting and spontaneous. Also, characters, Lorraine and Sylvia, I definitely believe they should have a lot of soul, and the race for there casting definitely has to be African American, because of the language of the scripts for example, “That woman is gonna make a fool of him.”(Sylvia), “Well that’s what love does.”(Lorraine), “Love?!He aint in love! Love? Ha! Jim would never fall in love with a hoity-toity female like that…” (Sylvia). To me this language is the attitude of a black women. These roles can definitely work as another race but with these two characters I feel as if the script would have to be changed in order to get the story across. Also throughout the script there is text that is used like when Matilda the mayor of the town catches her son Dean with Lorraine she says, “Dean, what’re you still doing here? And your kissing a colored girl!”, this demonstrates the conflict of the story line which to me can not be changed with another race because the audience will miss the great message that is being told. There is a song entitled, “ If I can dream” the lyrics say, “If I can dream of a better land were all my brothers walk hand and hand, tell me why oh why, oh why can’t my dream come true oh why? To me this song expresses the frustration of a young man wanting freedom and peace and understanding of why this world can not be one, and just love who he want to love and be happy. I believe that if the casting was any different from the original for the characters, Lorraine, Dean and Sylvia, it would really twirl with the message, the music, and the script. Overall those are most of the production problems i think will occur most.
If Sam houston theater had a chance to direct this show, the only issue i believe would be a problem in the show would have to be how the characters are portraying different love intersts as far as the charaters fallin in love with each other. Throughout the show the character Natalie, decides to portray herself as a man named Ed just to be closer Chad the lead and she tries to come onto him and he doesnt like but then later in the show end's up falling for Ed. Which to the audience if an older or younger crowd ages 60 to 80 or 6 t0 10 years of age may not understand the content and think that the show is to much or to explicit. There is also content that may effect the audience. For example, " Bt you been with him all day! Hey Chad. I just thought of a really fun guy thing to do. ( He drop's his pants) Let's go swimming!"(Dennis) and then (Chad) "Great idea, I gotta cool off! C'mon Ed, we can wrestle around, slap each other's privates-" This scene is very funny on stage, i dont know how our directors would react to this behavior althought alot of the shows they do at Sam, are really full of sexual behavior and content. I just wonder how they would director the character's to play this part. Will they have Dennis pull off his pants wearing a thong for underwear, or smiley face underwear, or none at all maybe even behind a screen that sord of shadow's the private area's. I think this scene would be a little ackward for viewers if they feel offended or disguisted. Even with the set for the fairground scenes will they create a beautiful fair thats realistic or would they just go with easier little props so that it will be less work or money to invest in the production. Those are some of the fiew conflicts for directors to consider.
Other Critic's solutions well in the show that i've recently done at LoneStar North Harris College, for this scene when Dennis drops his pant's he is wearing boxer's and a pair of breifs underneath the boxer so that his jewels won't fall out on stage, actuallybelieve it or not IT did once durning the review show. So we learned he needed to wear breifs or some sort of garder so the audience wouldnt be in for a treat. At the same time we know that briefs were not a product in the 50's era.
A critics review from Broadways Tour in 2006, about the scene of Ed and Chad's review, With some notable exceptions, however, the touring production of the show doesn't get much of a boost from its principals. Joe Mandragona may have the requisite physique for the Presleyesque roustabout Chad, but his pelvic gyrations don't generate much heat. Maybe that's because his voice is rather high and thin. What's a Presley without that warm tremolo guaranteed to set aural G-spots thrumming?
It doesnt say much about there relationship or it being a problem to the audience, i mean most of the viewers are late Elvis Presley's fans. So they were more into the music most of the time.
Here is another view from Fountain Hills Community Theater, This is a show that is full of corny fun with some very touching moments. Most of the leads were very talented. I really liked Victoria, Amy,Debra and George. All accomplished actors and singers. Victoria played Natalie the female lead. Her acting skills belie her youth, and a very fine voice. Amy's comic skills were the best in the cast, and again an excellent voice. George has a terrific voice and his portrayal of Natalie's dad was very natural and moving. His last scene with Natalie will bring tears to your eyes, at least it did to mine. Debra did a great job. Sean has a great sense of comic timing but I felt he went for the easy, predictable laugh. I have seen the show before and I would have liked to see more of a nuance to his portrayal. Alex Gonzalez, who played Chad, was way too old for the role. He must be + 20 yrs older than Victoria and their chemistry was absent. Rachel and Alex, the young lovers were fine.
See the age in the show really matters because the cast members may feel un comfortable working with other cast mates and the story can be lost.
If Sam houston theater had a chance to direct this show, the only issue i believe would be a problem in the show would have to be how the characters are portraying different love intersts as far as the charaters fallin in love with each other. Throughout the show the character Natalie, decides to portray herself as a man named Ed just to be closer Chad the lead and she tries to come onto him and he doesnt like but then later in the show end's up falling for Ed. Which to the audience if an older or younger crowd ages 60 to 80 or 6 t0 10 years of age may not understand the content and think that the show is to much or to explicit. There is also content that may effect the audience. For example, " Bt you been with him all day! Hey Chad. I just thought of a really fun guy thing to do. ( He drop's his pants) Let's go swimming!"(Dennis) and then (Chad) "Great idea, I gotta cool off! C'mon Ed, we can wrestle around, slap each other's privates-" This scene is very funny on stage, i dont know how our directors would react to this behavior althought alot of the shows they do at Sam, are really full of sexual behavior and content. I just wonder how they would director the character's to play this part. Will they have Dennis pull off his pants wearing a thong for underwear, or smiley face underwear, or none at all maybe even behind a screen that sord of shadow's the private area's. I think this scene would be a little ackward for viewers if they feel offended or disguisted. Even with the set for the fairground scenes will they create a beautiful fair thats realistic or would they just go with easier little props so that it will be less work or money to invest in the production. Those are some of the fiew conflicts for directors to consider.
Other Critic's solutions well in the show that i've recently done at LoneStar North Harris College, for this scene when Dennis drops his pant's he is wearing boxer's and a pair of breifs underneath the boxer so that his jewels won't fall out on stage, actuallybelieve it or not IT did once durning the review show. So we learned he needed to wear breifs or some sort of garder so the audience wouldnt be in for a treat. At the same time we know that briefs were not a product in the 50's era.
A critics review from Broadways Tour in 2006, about the scene of Ed and Chad's review, With some notable exceptions, however, the touring production of the show doesn't get much of a boost from its principals. Joe Mandragona may have the requisite physique for the Presleyesque roustabout Chad, but his pelvic gyrations don't generate much heat. Maybe that's because his voice is rather high and thin. What's a Presley without that warm tremolo guaranteed to set aural G-spots thrumming?
It doesnt say much about there relationship or it being a problem to the audience, i mean most of the viewers are late Elvis Presley's fans. So they were more into the music most of the time.
Here is another view from Fountain Hills Community Theater, This is a show that is full of corny fun with some very touching moments. Most of the leads were very talented. I really liked Victoria, Amy,Debra and George. All accomplished actors and singers. Victoria played Natalie the female lead. Her acting skills belie her youth, and a very fine voice. Amy's comic skills were the best in the cast, and again an excellent voice. George has a terrific voice and his portrayal of Natalie's dad was very natural and moving. His last scene with Natalie will bring tears to your eyes, at least it did to mine. Debra did a great job. Sean has a great sense of comic timing but I felt he went for the easy, predictable laugh. I have seen the show before and I would have liked to see more of a nuance to his portrayal. Alex Gonzalez, who played Chad, was way too old for the role. He must be + 20 yrs older than Victoria and their chemistry was absent. Rachel and Alex, the young lovers were fine.
See the age in the show really matters because the cast members may feel un comfortable working with other cast mates and the story can be lost.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul
Musical 'All Shook Up' to Hit Stage in Seoul
By Chung Ah-young
The pop-based musical directed by David Swan and produced by Shin Chun-soo, head of the OD Musical Company, won three prizes at the first Musical Awards in Korea for its translation and adaptation. The jukebox musical first premiered on Broadway in 2005.
Korea Times
July 15, 2009 Wednesday
Sept 11 to Nov 1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
