All Shook Up - Sunday 8/7/05 Review *May Contain Spoilers*

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 8:06am

I'm actually on my way into the city a little later this morning, and I'm trying to pass some time so I might as well type up my review now.

First of all, I loved this show. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have a fun time at the theater - I couldn't stop smiling. Starting off with the cast...everyone was in, with the exception of Jonathan Hadary (Jim Haller) and Curtis Holbrook (Dean Hyde). Oh and Leah Hocking was on vacation, I guess...I think that's what I heard from someone off here. Michael X. Martin was Jim and and Justin Bohon was Dean. Cheyenne as Chad and Jenn as Natalie were definitely the highlights of the show! I kept telling everyone that Cheyenne was a hunk. He had a lot of energy in playing his part. And Jenn - what a gorgeous voice! I love it. Nikki James as Lorraine was great...loved her voice as well. And Sharon Wilkins as Sylvia, she also has an amazing set of pipes. She got a round of applause in the middle of "There's Always Me". Justin Bohon and Michael X. Martin I also think pulled off the roles of Dean and Mr. Haller, respectively. Mark Price was perfect for the role of Dennis. I didn't realize that Leah Hocking was on vacation, but Jenny

One thing I thought was funny was how each character broke into a line from "One Night With You" each time they "fell in love" with someone. After reading the synopsis, I thought it would be confusing to keep track of all the love twists, but it wasn't that difficult even though there were so many. I also liked "It's Now or Never" - a very heartfelt moment in the show. Some other songs I enjoyed in Act 1 were "That's All Right", "Don't Be Cruel", "Blue Suede Shoes", and "Let Yourself Go". And of course there was the finale "Can't Help Falling in Love", the highlight of the first act.

Act 2 was just as energetic and fun as the first one. "Jailhouse Rock" even started getting claps to the beat, but that eventually died down as the song went on. That was one of my favorite numbers from the second act. During "A Little Less Conversation", I like how they did it where Chad kept talking, but it was inaudible, while Jenn went on singing the song like it was in her mind. And her "Fools Fall in Love" was beautiful. "Burnin' Love" was energetic (is there really another word I can use, lol?). During the finale encore of "C'mon Everybody" most of the people in the audience were up clapping, and even one guy I saw was doing the twist. It was funny and I had a lot of fun.

I liked some of the audience interaction. For example, Chad keeps saying throughout some of the first act, "I've been with a lot of women," as he randomly points to a woman in the audience.

After the show, my friend and I decided to walk by the stage door. We found it and a barricade happened to be set up. We actually were second in line, and soon after more and more people started lining up. A lady was there with Sharpie pens in her pocket and handed them to cast members as they walked out. Out of the principles, I got the autographs of Jenn, Cheyenne, Nikki, I think John Jellison, Jenny-Lynn, Michael X., Justin Bohon, and Sharon. It was funny because my friend and I didnt recognize a lot of ensemble members offhand, but we assumed if they were holding a Sharpie they were part of the show. So we were constantly turning back to our playbills and recognized Mike Cannon, Cara Cooper, Michelle Kittrell, I think Jennie Ford, and I think Justin Patterson. I believe I saw Julie Reiber, she was actually sitting on the corner trying to talk to someone on the phone...I wasn't sure if it was her...does she have reddish brown hair? Anyways, Cheyenne was a hunk and a got a picture with him. Jenn was also kind enough to take a picture with me, even though she looked like she was about to go somewhere...looked very dressy. Let me tell you, the Playbill picture doesn't do her justice. She looked very pretty, and I complimented her. I didn't have any run-ins with any of the cast, thank goodness, they were all very kind to take time to sign autographs. Even Jenny-Lynn, who looked like she had to go, but then said "Oh, they can wait..." and continued to sign. This was definitely a good experience and I am hoping to see the show sometime again in the future.

[liotte]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 8:24am

Hooray! I'm glad you liked the show!! Thanks for the review!

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 1:58pm

I'm so glad you loved the show! I love to hear how All Shook Up understudies did - I've seen Michael X. Martin as Jim and Justin Bohon as Dean as well, so I'm glad you liked them! Tell your friends!

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 4:29pm

I want to see the show again! Thanks for your review! :)

[ponine24601]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 4:47pm

yay great review! i'm glad that you had a great time.

i need to get to this show now. it sounds like a blast.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 4:56pm

No one ever says anything about mama

Sharon is amazing...bringing down the house.