All Shook Up

[magruder]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 10:57am

Saw it yesterday, and it's really a giant step forward for the jukebox musical genre. The Elvis songs are used in witty, surprising ways, the show moves and feels like a musical comedy, rather than some Frankenstein's monster assemblage of parts, there are some very winning performances, and it has been whimsically and lavishly designed. You can quibble with things here and there - one Act Two production number feels shoehorned in and the girly, very winning Jenn Gambatese is really not believable when the "Twelfth Night" plotting kicks in and she dresses as a man, so you wonder why Cheyenne Jackson's character doesn't see through her - but the show is such a fun confection that I think you just go with it. All Shook Up is the best of its genre, and it certainly is a more rewarding evening than songbook revues like Leader of the Pack and Smokey Joe's Cafe. I hope the critics give it a chance, but even if they don't, I think All Shook Up is going to make general audiences very very happy.

Updated On: 3/20/05 at 10:57 AM

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 10:58am

Oh good, that's a relief.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 11:03am

Magruder, I totally echo your sentiments. Jukebox musicals are always my guilty pleasure...but at ASU I didn't feel so guilty.LOL.

By the way, I was at the show yesterday, too. Which performance did you see? And I think I know which shoehorned song in Act 2 that you're talking about.

[magruder]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 11:19am

Evening show. I have to say, even the knowing tone of some of the jokes, which can irritate me in other shows, worked for me here. (For example, there's something so sweetly silly about Cheyenne Jackson's character admonishing the townspeople "Don't step on them!" when someone admires his blue suede shoes).

[Razz77]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 11:36am

I definitely agree that this shows is far superior to other jukebox musicals currently running on Broadway, however some of it does feel completely random (Jailhouse Rock, anyone)?

They cut one of the funniest lines in the show earlier in previews...the Mayor saying something like "I hate when they put old songs in new musicals".

[jjdude2000]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 12:03pm

Aw, they cut that? It was like, "Dont follow the trends people. Loud music. Pelvic Dancing. Putting old songs into new musicals."

I really loved the show, and liked it a LOT better than GV and Mamma Mia.

[BalletGirl85]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 2:06pm

I really loved this show. I saw "Good Vibrations" a week before this, and it really put me off to this show, but then I saw "All Shook Up" and absolutely loved it. I was so happy, I am usually optimistic about shows and hope for the best, but most of them let me down. This show totally did not!! I loved every minute, had a lot of fun, and the cast is soooo talented. Sharon Wilkins blew the ROOF off... and the "Can't Help Falling in Love" number that ended the first act sounded absolutely amazing. I was also in love with "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Jailhouse Rock"... definitely a crowd pleasing show, the entire nearly sold out audience was on its feet cheering before the Ensemble even came out to bow. It's a lot of fun.

I'm sad they cut the "Loud music... pelvic dancing... putting old songs into new musicals..." line. Alix Korey is a riot!

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 2:32pm

I loved the putting old songs into new musicals line!!

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 2:48pm

That was my favorite line!!!!!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 2:49pm

I totally agree, Magruder! My review said the same exact things (but way longer.)

And I also agree, that was one of the funniest lines. When I saw it, the audience started clapping.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 4:04pm

THey took out the Musical line and replaced it with a line very simaler saying somthing like "All that shaking is how Rome fell!" it's cute not as cute at the Musical line which was my fav line in the show but it's still cute.. I think the don't want to be to.. like sticking it in people faces with jokes like that about the show...

I was also disapointed that the line about likeing football was takin out but it didn't really get a lot of laughs here.

I saw the show again yesterday as well, the first show an dI think it's looking great so differnt from when I saw it in Chicago but still I'm so happy it whas shaped up into such a great show that people seem to really enjoy!

By the way Dennis is pretty grilie also and he's the first sidekick, so I think liek thats what its working for and I think Jenn is so cute in the role!

[BroadwayBaby21]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 4:17pm

Out of all the jutebox musicals, ASU looks the best. I saw the preview for it on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and that looked pretty good. (especially compared to GV and MM)
So hopefully I'll get to see this soon!

[Razz77]

Posted: 3/20/05 at 5:09pm

This show also randomly has one of the most powerful and full overall vocal sounds on Broadway (The end of Can't Help Fallin In Love -- geez). I'm sure its partially because of amplification -- but I really couldn't get over how FULL the sound was.

[Lauren9399]

Posted: 3/22/05 at 12:26pm

Saw this show last Saturday, 3/19. Great show. Great cast. This show deserves a long run.

[BalletGirl85]

Posted: 3/22/05 at 12:30pm

Razz, you said exactly what I was thinking about the Ensemble having a full sound. "Heartbreak Hotel" is like a random gospel choir and "Can't Help Falling in Love" was literally one of the greatest things I have heard live. I'm very very excited about this show!!

[DAME]

Posted: 3/22/05 at 12:56pm

When does this show officially open?

[PennyLou]

Posted: 3/22/05 at 12:57pm

This Thursday (3/24)

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 3/22/05 at 1:03pm

Finally going April 2. Can't wait!

[ken8631]

Posted: 3/22/05 at 1:27pm

There are some balcony tickets available on ticketmaster for opening night.....

[PennyLou]

Posted: 3/22/05 at 1:29pm

yup that there are, they went up at noon today! I already have a ticket so lets spread the news to all lol!

[JC14]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 12:40am

I was at tonight's performance...that'd be Tuesday the 22nd. I've kind of stayed away from the jukebox musical phenomenon but I must say that I really adored the show. It's just such a fun night at the theatre. Great cast, great music, great FULL sound, great dancing...and Cheyenne is beyond HOT. Really, all of the leads are just phenomenal -- loved them all, really huge amazing voices and presences.

The audience seemed to really enjoy it also. A lot of loud clapping and cat calls at the end of songs...and a standing O. It's a lot of fun overall, definitely recommend it.

[liotte]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 12:54am

I've seen the show three times- once in Chicago and a couple times in the past 2 weeks. I love it! End of Act 1- Can't help falling in love- wow, great! Cmon everybody- loving my baby is a great song. And now I absolutely adore Jenn's version of Fools Fall in Love, which I can't find anywhere online or to download (any version of the song by anyone, including elvis!)!!!
I'm seeing it again April 17, can't wait!

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 1:54am

I got tix to see it a second time with some family... OPENING NIGHT!!! Woo! I wonder who is going to be there?!?!?!?! SO excited!!!