[NEohioPAL] Strong Ensemble in Mercury Summer Stock’s “All Shook Up” Brings High Energy Fun

[Marjorie Preston]

Strong Ensemble in Mercury Summer Stock’s “All Shook Up” Brings High Energy
Fun
By MARJORIE PRESTON
Brava!
www.marjoriepreston.com/brava

Mercury Summer Stock’s current musical production, “All Shook Up,” with
book by Joe Pietro, the music of Elvis Presley and based on William
Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” is a high-energy, grooving good time,
especially for fans of 1950s music.

A town somewhere in middle America in 1956 appears to have been stuck in
reverse until wandering roustabout Chad (Matthew Roscoe) revs into town on
his motorcycle and rousts them from their complacency. What’s hard to be
believe is the ripple effect of his visit. After the town’s tomboy bike
mechanic, Natalie (Dani Apple), falls madly for Chad, it seems like
everyone in town has fallen in love.

Natalie’s nerdy, poetry-loving friend Dennis (Brian Marshall) has fallen
for Natalie despite her crush on Chad. Meanwhile, Chad is in love with the
sultry Miss Sandra (Dana Aber), the museum curator. And Natalie has
disguised herself as a man named Ed in the hopes of endearing herself to
Chad as his sidekick. Both Chad and Natalie’s widower dad, Jim (Dan
DiCello), have fallen for sexy Sandra, but she has the hots for Ed, not
knowing he’s really Natalie.

The sassy local tavern owner, Sylvia (Kelvette Beacham), pines for Jim
while her daughter, the fresh-faced Lorraine (Lauryn Alexandria Hobbs),
falls in love at first sight with the clean-cut mayor’s son Dean Hyde
(Jesse Markowitz). None of this is pleasing to Mayor Matilda Hyde (Kathleen
Caldwell), who spends all her time with Sheriff Earl (Carter Welo – yes,
the South Euclid mayor’s husband), especially the fact that her son is
seeing a “colored” girl. It is lovely to see the mayor finally confronted
and asked by Earl, “Don’t you ever get tired of judging people?”

“Heartbreak Hotel” is a fierce, full and powerful ensemble number to start
the show and there is a lovely tableau within. Hobbs and Beacham shine in
“That’s All Right,” and Markowitz and Hobbs share a sweet moment in “It’s
Now or Never.” Aber has a powerful solo in “Let Yourself Go,” and the power
of a great ensemble really comes through in “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
when the group stands together in the name of love and just belts it out.

Marshall sings his plaintive torch song in “It Hurts Me” and Apple sings “A
Little Less Conversation” in such a flurry, it’s almost like a rap, and
that’s a good thing – thankfully far from loungy Elvis. “I Don’t Want To”
showcases Roscoe’s strong pipes and great comic timing. Walking away with
the show was Beacham’s “There’s Always Me,” a kind, buttery ballad from a
woman resigned to her truth, her love. “Fools Fall in Love” ends the show
and it highlights Apple’s lovely, controlled voice as well as offering a
festive “Soul Train” feel from the sizable ensemble.

Director, Set Designer and Choreographer Pierre-Jacques Brault has a
universally strong cast in “All Shook Up.” Brault has decorated his set
with eye-catching primary colors and the set is full of iconic 50s images
like sunglasses and classic cars. A boldly colored bright red box frames
the piano and drum section of the band and hides three more band members.
Innovative choreography included license plates as percussion instruments,
great ensemble numbers and a whole lotta shakin’ in blue suede shoes. “All
Shook Up” is good fun – toe-tapping music and a talented cast.

“All Shook Up” plays at Mercury Summer Stock, Regina Auditorium at Notre
Dame College, 1857 South Green Road in South Euclid. Performances are
Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. through August 18 and Sunday matinees at 2
p.m. For tickets visit www.mercurysummerstock.com or call (216) 771-5862.

Marjorie’s reviews can also be seen at
www.clevelandtheaterreviews.com<http://www.marjoriepreston.com/brava/www.clevelandtheaterreviews.com>
.

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