All Shook Up in Boston 9/30/06 : Some Spoilers!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 4:24pm

Okay so I saw the matinee of All Shook Up on October 1st. It was okay - I wouldn't see it again though. First let me point out with some of the highlights of the show:

Joe Mandragona was so cute as Chad! Sure he was no Cheyenne Jackson, but I thought he performed the role well. I think in the beginning it took me a little getting used to his voice, but after that I enjoyed watching his take on the role. However, there were a couple of things he could've worked on. For example, I don't think he pulled off the "I've been with a lot of woman" lines that well in making it connect with the audience. Also, I don't like how he made himself more like "Elvis." Sure this show features Elvis songs, but I from the hair to the lip
thing, it was almost like watching Elvis on stage minus the flashy costumes. Actually someone else sort of pointed this out to me, and I began to realize it as the show went on.

Natasha Yvette Williams as Sylvia - wow! What a powerhouse voice. Her "There's Always Me" had the audience clapping loudly and cheering.

Dennis Moench as, well, Dennis was hilarious. For such a skinny, geeky looking character (and I don't mean that on the worst terms), he had an amazing voice. I always used to skip "It Hurts Me" on the CD but after hearing him sing it, I love the song! I happened to see him at the stage door after, along with Brian Sears who was Dean Hyde. They were both very gracious and signed autographs despite cold temperatures and a light rain.

Jenny Fellner as Natalie - I don't have much to say about her. She wasn't absolutely amazing or anything like that. Jenny had a good voice and there was nothing wrong with her performance. I met her at the stage door after. Although she wasn't mean, she seemed as if though she was in a bit of a hurry or something, plus it was cold and rainy. But she also graciously signed autographs and chatted for a minute.

Valida Lekae Little (Lorraine) and Brian Sears had wonderful chemistry onstage. "It's Now or Never" is perhaps one of my favorite scenes and songs in the show.

Susan Anton (Miss Sandra) was vocally the weakest link in the cast. Her acting was pretty good, but her singing was laughable. She sounded terrible. When I heard her first notes singing, "You ain't nothing but a hound dog..." I started laughing in my seat. I looked over at another person I went with and he said, "I don't like her voice that well." Well despite that, she looked right for the part, but just to let you know, don't be disappointed if you happen to see Miss Sandra's understandy the night you go.

Everyone else I didn't mention was good in their roles. The ensemble had a lot of energy - you could see it in the zillion dance breaks they had.

I was disappointed by some of the changes they made:

1) It seemed like every song was turning into a big, showstopping number with too many dance breaks. For example, during "That's All Right," I don't remember a dance break done by Lorraine in the Broadway production. I thought that was one of the unnecessary changes. Also, I didn't like the new "Devil in Disguise." I think I liked the simplicity of the older version. And during "All Shook Up"...as liotte said, that was a big WTF moment - the stripping down into underwear. What was that? Is this trying to turn into some sex appeal show now? I thought that was ridiculous, stupid, and pointless.

2) The opening of the show, although it may have made more sense, I didn't care for it. "Love Me Tender" was the perfect way to open the show before. Because the rest of the show is loud, I liked the quieter opening. It gave a "small-town" feel, which I thought was appropriate for the setting before Chad comes into the scene. Also, I didn't like Natalie's transformation onstage. I liked it better when it was revealed during "Blue Suede Shoes" because it was more of a suprise, I guess...? Even though we kind of got the feeling that she was going to disguise herself as a guy. I am probably part of a minority who liked "Jailhouse Rock" where it was even though it seemed completely random.

So all in all, despite the changes, I thought it was good - I'd rate it a 7 out of 10. For student rush prices it is worth it, but I wouldn't recommend shelling out however much the most expensive ticket is to see this if you already have seen it (unless you are a hardcore Elvis fan). If you haven't seen it, go ahead. You might appreciate the changes more since you don't have the Broadway show to compare it to.

Oh and just a warning, the music in some of the songs is very loud especially if you are sitting towards the front. The loudest had to be the "C'mon Everybody" encore. Just to warn you that you might go deaf.

Updated On: 10/2/06 at 04:24 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 6:02pm

We just about did go deaf. Fun stuff!