All Shook Up Tour Review, 9/28/06

[timote316]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 1:16pm

Well, I saw ALL SHOOK UP last night here in Boston, and I must say I was under whelmed. I saw the Broadway production *ahem*, and enjoyed it very much. The music, the sets, the production, everything was so much fun, so I figured that ASU would be a great way to “escape” my busy life for a couple of hours. It did that, definitely, but definitely left me wanting much more. (this is long… sorry!)

First, the cast. Overall, the cast was relatively strong, with Jenny Fellner (as Natalie), NaTasha Yvette Williams (as Sylvia) and Valisia Lekae Little (Lorraine) as the absolute standouts. Fellner was particularly endearing, which a smooth voice that fit the score well. Williams is just a powerhouse, with impeccable comedic timing. Finally, Little was outstanding as Lorraine… I see her having quite the future. Susan Anton (as Miss Sandra) was, well, not very good. She was stiff, and not in particularly good voice. The person sitting next to me commented that she seemed to be holding back, which I tend to agree. Just Let Go! (wow, bad pun). Another disappointment was Joe Mandragona as Chad. Looking back, his acting was average, but his voice left something to be desired. It seemed to me like he was trying to emulate Elvis, which is partially understandable, given the show. There were times that his voice got very good, but then it dropped back down to raspy growling, which wasn’t good at all. If he dropped the character voice, I think he would have been much better.

Moving on to the sets, I was vastly under whelmed in the first act. David Rockwell’s original set designs were fantastic, and those are still what they used…. only scaled back big time. The “town” consisted of three partial flats that the cast rolled on and off accordingly, in front of a boring backdrop of the horizon. Don’t get me wrong, those buildings looked great, but they were rather small, and left the stage very naked. Whenever the action moved to the bar, a bar was wheeled on and a new backdrop was lowered. Act 2’s amusement park set was much more effective (even if it was pretty much a backdrop of a roller coaster and a movable bridge thing. I expected so much more, quite frankly (coincidently, I got this same exact feeling from Rockwell’s Hairspray tour design as well).

Another thing I really didn’t like was how they changed the show (if you don’t want to know the changes, skip this paragraph!). “Jailhouse Rock” now opens the show, which worked fine. It was dumb in act 2, it now makes sense. From there it goes right to the “Heartbreak Hotel” scene, which some added bits to introduce the characters. I guess this kind of works, but I thought that “Love Me Tender” was the perfect introduction to Natalie and Dennis…. which is now basically dialogue (“Love Me Tender” isn’t fully cut, it's sung later by Chad to Miss Sandra). Also, Natalie makes the transition to Ed on stage, while singing a reprise of “Follow That Dream” (I believe – I don’t have my Playbill with me at the moment). This new scene seemed very forced, they should have just left it as is. Also, the new treatment of “Devil in Disguise” is very funny, an upgrade to the original.

All that said, the show was enjoyable. The music is great (obviously), and I still believe the orchestrations for ASU are the best I’ve heard in a long time. With time, I think the tour will get better, but right now it's a tad rough. Thanks for reading, and sorry for the long post!

[liotte]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 1:18pm

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to seeing it tomorrow night!

[Princeton78]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:24pm

It's also important to mention that ASU is playing at Boston's Opera House which has a monstorously big stage which might dwarf many a traveling set.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 3:25pm

I kind of wish they left the Natalie/Dennis opening as it was with Love Me Tender. Even though technically Jailhouse Rock didn't make sense where it was, it was a bigger production number that I felt was better off later in the production as a showstopper.

[SakeDad]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 12:40am

Timote316 said "Moving on to the sets, I was vastly under whelmed in the first act. David Rockwell’s original set designs were fantastic, and those are still what they used…. only scaled back big time. The “town” consisted of three partial flats that the cast rolled on and off accordingly, in front of a boring backdrop of the horizon. Don’t get me wrong, those buildings looked great, but they were rather small, and left the stage very naked. Whenever the action moved to the bar, a bar was wheeled on and a new backdrop was lowered. Act 2’s amusement park set was much more effective (even if it was pretty much a backdrop of a roller coaster and a movable bridge thing. I expected so much more, quite frankly (coincidently, I got this same exact feeling from Rockwell’s Hairspray tour design as well)."

Thanks for posting the review! I do want to correct you on a couple of things though. 90% of the set is the EXACT set used on Bway. It has been in storage this whole time. It was NOT scaled down as they are the SAME pieces. The only difference is it is not automated so the actors now move the pieces on & off. Also there was no way to travel the automation for the original Chad's motorcycle entrance through "the hills" so that was cut. The garage, Sylvia's, the bar, Matilda's Cadillac, the rollercoaster ramps, the organ and most of the drops are all the same. The musuem and the shoe store are new. The bible podium was slightly chopped to make it actor friendly. Glad you enjoyed the show and I hope everyone here gets to see it too!

[OnMyWay]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 2:06am

How was Brian Sears?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 2:35am

Did anyone stage door?

[ErikInTheCity]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 3:16am

Do they do the bike/bus bit? I thought that was very cleverly staged. . .

[liotte]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 3:19am

Seeing it tonight! Woohoo!!!

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:19am

Erik, I don't think they do the bike anymore.

Thanks for the review.

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:45am

They do the bike...

[SakeDad]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 12:28pm

Here's the Variety review!

Posted: Thurs., Sep. 28, 2006, 2:17pm PT

All Shook Up

(Opera House, Boston; 2,600 seats; $87.50 top)

A Richard Martini, Allen Spivak, Albert Nocciolino and Magic Arts & Entertainment presentation of a musical in two acts, inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, book by Joe DiPietro. Directed by Christopher Ashley. Music supervision and arrangements, Stephen Oremus. Choreography, Sergio Trujillo.

Natalie Haller/Ed - Jenny Fellner
Jim Haller - Wally Dunn
Dennis - Dennis Moench
Sylvia - Natasha Yvette Williams
Lorraine - Valisia Lekae Little
Chad - Joe Mandragona
Mayor Matilda Hyde - Beth Glover
Dean Hyde - Brian Sears
Sheriff Earl - David Benoit
Miss Sandra - Susan Anton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By FRANK RIZZO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There's a whole lotta shaking going in "All Shook Up," a diverting road show based on the short-lived Rialto production, now settling into its national tour after launching in Milwaukee in mid-September. But it's not just the remixed Elvis Presley songbook that's key to this formulaic blend, nor the romantic stirrings the show's Elvis-like protag unleashes nor even the undulating libidos of nearly everyone in the fun-deprived '50s anytown where the story is set. It's the scrambled script, which borrows generously from camp to crap to classics: Isn't that from "Footloose"? "Hairspray"? "Twelfth Night" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream"? Or any one of those Elvis movies?
Obviously, Joe DiPietro is not chasing anything original here, but his appropriations make the entertainment attractive enough for auds looking for the safe, the familiar and the nostalgic. (Has the 1950s become the new 1920s in period musicals? What's next, "No, No, Annette"?)

Solid production values, appealing cast with one semi-name (Susan Anton) and energetic singing and dancing should make road prospects promising for this PG-rated family fare if it's marketed well.

There have been some changes made for the road since the six-month Broadway run, with some songs repositioned, a few bits added and the talented Sergio Trujillo ("Jersey Boys"), brought in prior to New York for some dance-doctoring, now receiving sole choreography credit.

Call it the curse of "Mamma Mia!," the legit pop phenom that made the jukebox musical look so easy to package. Unlike with that Abba-fest, the main problem with "All Shook Up" (other than its recycled feel) is that the characters aren't played for real. As written, staged and performed, they are not humans but archetypes: easily identifiable, hokey and jokey in DiPietro's gag-laden book. While they're often amusing to watch, there's little for auds to connect with emotionally in this confection. The production is easily forgotten about halfway up the exit aisle.

Like a slew of other catalog shows, the pop songs often are shoe-horned into a theatrical narrative. While some musical numbers are deft and right, others are a bit of a stretch, pointing to the effort rather than the result.

Among the better numbers are act-one closer "Can't Help Falling in Love," the title song, "It Hurts Me," "There's Always Me," "If I Can Dream," "Fools Fall in Love" and the finale, "Burning Love."

Helmer Christopher Ashley gives the fast-paced show a light-hearted comic sensibility, allowing for some vivid musical perfs. Jenny Fellner is bright and charming as the grease-monkey heroine who disguises herself as a guy to be closer to Chad, the leather-clad stranger who cycles through town and inspires everyone through his Elvis-style persona to find their bliss.

Other standouts include Natasha Yvette Williams as local hangout owner Sylvia. Williams has great comic delivery and a voice that starts in the heart and soars to the rafters. Also engaging, with heavenly pipes of his own, is Dennis Moench as the nerdy kid in love with Fellner's Natalie.

As the charismatic Chad, Joe Mandragona is attractive, sings OK and moves better than most, but he lacks the charisma to transform a town, much less make anyone swoon at first or second sight.

As the head of the local museum (don't ask), a leggy, stiff and clueless Susan Anton goes for height rather than depth.

David Rockwell's settings are colorful and breezy (especially the snazzy pink chapel at show's multiple-wedding finale). Costumes by David C. Woolard also have wit and style, while Donald Holder keeps things aglow, even at night. Arranger Stephen Oremus makes Elvis' songs play in new theatrical ways.

With: Alicia Albright, Nick Cearley, Abbie Cooper, Randy A. Davis, Josh Franklin, Erin Greiner, Buddy Hammonds, Tiffany Janene Howard, Matthew Warner Kiernan, Mary Jo McConnell, Kevin B. McGlynn, Jermaine R. Rembert, Betsy Struxness, Kyle Vaughn, Aurelia Williams, Carla Woods.

Sets, David Rockwell; costumes, David C. Woolard, lighting, Donald Holder; sound, Christopher Bond; orchestrations, Michael Gibson and Oremus; production stage manager, Allen McMullen. Opened, reviewed Sept. 27, 2006. Runs through Oct. 8. Running time: 2 HOURS, 15 MIN.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 12:59pm

Do they do the bus thing during "Now or Never"?

[SakeDad]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 1:05pm

Yes, Rentboy, as FriedrichVT has already said, the bike/bus bit is still in

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 1:10pm

Thanks - and he said the bike scene is in, I wasn't sure if he was referring to the motorcyle scene, or the other one. Thanks.

[timote316]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 1:22pm

Yup, the bike/bus piece was still there.

And I didn't know that this was the same set. It must be the massive Opera House stage that dwarfed it. Thanks for the clarification!

OnMyWay -- Brian Sears (as Dean) was very enjoyable. He had a great voice.

[SakeDad]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 2:26pm

Here's a link to the TheatreMania.com review!

The bike & bus bit are one in the same. Like peas and pods One doesn't work as well without the other.
TheatreMania.com ASU Review

[wendy kroy]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 12:58am

Monogamy is not a type of tree.

Updated On: 12/24/07 at 12:58 AM