All Shook Up | |
---|---|
Music | various |
Lyrics | various |
Book | Joe DiPietro |
Basis | Inspired by the music of Elvis Presley and the works of William Shakespeare |
Productions | 2005 Broadway 2006 United States tour 2009/2010 Dutch language version in The Netherlands, renamed Love Me Tender / All Shook Up 2014 Seoul 2015 UK Tour 2016 Seoul 2018 Elizabeth College, Hobart |
All Shook Up is a 2004 American jukebox musical with music from the Elvis Presley songbook and with a book by Joe DiPietro.
The show concerns the repressed residents of an unnamed American town in the 1950s who experience an awakening when a leather-clad guitar-strumming roustabout rolls into town. The story takes inspiration from the comedies of William Shakespeare, particularly Twelfth Night , [1] and explores themes such as authoritarianism, homosexuality, and segregation.
The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005.
The musical had a developmental staging at the Goodspeed Musicals May 13-June 6, 2004, with most of the Broadway cast, except for Manley Pope in the lead role of Chad. Christopher Ashley directed, with choreography by Jody Moccia. The musical had a tryout in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace from December 19, 2004, through January 23, 2005. [1] After the tryout, changes were made to the finale and to add "a more specific instrumental and vocal voice" for Chad. [2]
The musical premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on March 24, 2005, and closed on September 25, 2005, after 213 performances and 33 previews. Directed by Christopher Ashley, with choreography by Ken Roberson, the original Broadway cast included Cheyenne Jackson (Chad), Jenn Gambatese (Natalie Haller/"Ed"), and Jonathan Hadary (Jim Haller). [2] [3] [4]
The US National tour played 35 cities in September 2006 – 2007, directed by Christopher Ashley, and featuring Joe Mandragona as Chad, and Jenny Fellner as Natalie. [5] Sergio Trujillo revised the choreography for the tour. [6]
In 2015, a UK tour of the show commenced at Manchester Opera House in June 2015 with the show being retitled "Love Me Tender". The production starred Mica Paris as 'Sylvia', Sian Reeves as ‘Mayor Matilda Hyde’, Shaun Williamson as ‘Jim’ and Ben Lewis as ‘Chad'.
This synopsis is based on the current licensed version
Somewhere in the Midwest in the 1950s, Chad, a hip-swivelling, guitar-playing roustabout, is released from a weekend in jail. ("Jailhouse Rock"). In a nearby dreary little town, a young mechanic named Natalie yearns for love and adventure, unaware that her best friend Dennis secretly has a crush on her. Sitting in Sylvia's Honky-Tonk, the townspeople struggle with their feelings of loneliness ("Heartbreak Hotel") — until they're interrupted by the roar of a motorbike; Chad has arrived in town ("Roustabout").
In need of a mechanic, Chad is introduced to Natalie, who is instantly smitten ("One Night With You"). Upon learning that Mayor Matilda has instated the Mamie Eisenhower Decency Act, outlawing "Loud music, public necking, and tight pants", Chad seeks to incite some rebelliousness in the citizens ("C'mon Everybody"). Whilst Natalie fixes his motorbike, Chad inspires her to take to the open road ("Follow That Dream").
Chad recruits Dennis as his sidekick. The newly-formed duo meet the town's museum owner Miss Sandra, whom Chad instantly falls in love with ("One Night With You—Chad”). He attempts to smooth-talk her, but she resists (" Teddy Bear/Hound Dog"), retreating to the Honky-Tonk where Natalie's widowed father, Jim, also falls in love ("One Night With You—Jim”). Mayor Matilda's teenage son, Dean, declares his love for Sylvia's daughter, Lorraine. Chad encourages the teen's blossoming relationship, much to Sylvia's dismay ("That's All Right"). Matilda, accompanied by the silent Sheriff Earl, demands that Dean is sent on a bus to military academy. However, Dean chooses to disobey his mother and stay in town with his newfound love, Lorraine ("It's Now or Never").
Desperate for Chad's attention, Natalie disguises herself as a man named 'Ed' to get closer to him ("Love Me Tender"). Dressed as a leather-jacketed roustabout, Ed dramatically rides into town, with Chad instantly dropping Dennis as his sidekick in favor of him ("Blue Suede Shoes"). Jim seeks romance advice from Chad, both unaware they seek the same woman ("Don't Be Cruel"). Under Chad's orders, Ed visits the museum to give Sandra a Shakespearean sonnet, which Dennis had previously suggested. Incidentally, Sandra finds herself attracted to Ed ("One Night With You—Sandra”). Flustered, Ed tries leaving, but Sandra is intent on seducing him ("Let Yourself Go").
Matilda, appalled that Dean has stayed in town to be with Lorraine, vows to arrest Chad due to his influence. Ed suggests that Chad should hide in the town's abandoned fairgrounds to evade capture. Jim, now with extra confidence, condemns Sylvia for having grown so bitter, and gives her a very surprising kiss. Soon, everyone in town find themselves escaping to the fairgrounds, searching for someone to love ("Can't Help Falling in Love").
In the midst of the abandoned fairgrounds, the townspeople are restless and randy ("All Shook Up"). Dennis reveals to Natalie that he's upset about the way Chad treats her, however she disregards his worries ("It Hurts Me"). Disguised as Ed, Natalie asks Chad for advice on how to seduce a woman in an attempt to bond with him, accidentally kissing him in the process, leaving the two of them stunned ("A Little Less Conversation"). Chad and Jim learn they are both in love with the same woman: Sandra, who is lustfully searching the fairgrounds for Ed ("Power Of My Love"). Chad is initially enraged, but soon realizes that he too has feelings for his new sidekick ("I Don't Want To").
Meanwhile, Matilda and Earl search the fairgrounds for the elusive roustabout ("Devil In Disguise"). Jim, heartbroken that Sandra doesn't care for him, runs into Sylvia, who confesses her newfound feelings for him ("There's Always Me"). Dean and Lorraine plan to leave town, but they come across Chad, who convinces them to stay and fight for their love ("If I Can Dream").
Chad, Dean, and Lorraine confront Matilda. Earl finally breaks his silence, denying Matilda's orders to arrest Chad and instead confessing his love for her. With a newfound acceptance of love, Matilda allows Dean and Lorraine to remain together, as does Sylvia ("Can't Help Falling In Love -reprise"). Chad bravely confesses his feelings for Ed, who proceeds to reveal his true identity being Natalie. Shocked and afraid, Chad rushes to leave town. Dennis takes the opportunity to confess his long-time crush to Natalie, who kindly rejects him. However, he and Sandra realize a common admiration for Shakespeare and subsequently fall in love with each other ("One Night With You—Sandra and Dennis”). Left alone with her father Jim, Natalie comes to terms with Chad's absence ("Fools Fall In Love").
A triple wedding consisting of Jim & Sylvia, Matilda & Earl and Dennis & Sandra takes place. Chad makes an unexpected return, interrupting the wedding and declaring his love for Natalie. She decides not to marry him and instead hit the open road, opting to make Chad her sidekick. The brides and grooms marry while the town celebrates ("Burning Love").
Source (copied directly from the All Shook Up libretto): [3] [4] [7]
Character | Broadway | US Tour | UK Tour | Rose Theater |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | 2006 | 2015 | 2021 | |
Chad | Cheyenne Jackson | Joe Mandragona | Ben Lewis | Miles Frog |
Natalie Haller | Jenn Gambatese | Jenny Fellner | Laura Tebbutt | Alex Nataled |
Jim Haller | Jonathan Hadary | Wally Dunn | Shaun Williamson | Son Cole |
Sylvia | Sharon Wilkins | NaTasha Yvette Williams | Mica Paris | Mother Emily |
Miss Sandra | Leah Hocking | Susan Anton | Kate Tydman | Finn Ryder |
Sheriff Earl | John Jellison | David Benoit | Chris Howell | Leon Sunflower |
Mayor Matilda Hyde | Alix Korey | Beth Glover | Siân Reeves | Audrey Borealis |
Dennis | Mark Price | Dennis Moench | Mark Anderson | Ly Mountain |
Dean Hyde | Curtis Holbrook | Brian Sears | Felix Mosse | Seven '007' Neves |
Lorraine | Nikki M. James | Valisia Lekae Little | Aretha Ayeh | Mahalet Ednik |
|
|
The original Broadway production had fifteen musicians, including the musical director and associate conductor. The original production was scored for two keyboards, two guitars, electric bass, drums, percussion, four woodwinds, three trumpets, and trombone. The first keyboard part was played by the conductor and the second keyboard part also doubled on organ. The first woodwind part doubled on piccolo, flute, clarinet, and alto sax; the second on flute, clarinet, and alto sax; the third on clarinet and tenor sax; the fourth on bass clarinet and baritone sax. There were also three trumpets where the first trumpet is the lead trumpet. The trumpets also doubled on flugelhorn.
The orchestration that is under the current license is based on the national tour version; there are only twelve musicians. The percussion part is removed, there are now three woodwind parts, and two trumpets. The rest remain the same. This time the first woodwind part doubles on flute and alto sax; the second on clarinet and tenor sax; the third on bass clarinet and baritone sax.
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Drama Desk Award | Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical | David Rockwell | Nominated |
Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Cheyenne Jackson | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Jenn Gambatese | Nominated | ||
Theatre World Award | Cheyenne Jackson | Won | ||
The Original Broadway cast recording was released on May 31, 2005, by BMG Marketing.
The musical was the source of a minor controversy when students put it on at Herriman High School in Utah. After discussion, the play was allowed to go on after "minor edits to Presley’s songs and scene changes" to reduce its sexuality. [8]
For other plays relating to Elvis Presley, see also Cooking with Elvis .
Hairspray is an American musical with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, with a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on John Waters's 1988 film of the same name. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues. Set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, the production follows teenage Tracy Turnblad's dream to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, leading to social change as Tracy campaigns for the show's integration.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a 1967 musical with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and Andrew Lippa. It is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts. The musical has been a popular choice for amateur theatre productions because of its small cast and simple staging.
The Dorsey Brothers were an American studio dance band, led by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. They started recording in 1928 for OKeh Records.
Jersey Boys is a jukebox musical with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. It is presented in a documentary-style format that dramatizes the formation, success and breakup of the 1960s rock 'n' roll group The Four Seasons. The musical is structured as four "seasons", each narrated by a different member of the band who gives his own perspective on its history and music. Songs include "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Sherry", "December, 1963 ", "My Eyes Adored You", "Stay", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", "Walk Like A Man", "Who Loves You", "Working My Way Back to You" and "Rag Doll".
Roustabout is an occupational term. Traditionally, it referred to a worker with broad-based, non-specific skills. In particular, it was used to describe show or circus workers who handled materials for construction on fairgrounds. In modern times it is applied to rural employment, such as those assisting sheep shearing, and positions in the oil industry.
James Ronald Horn is an American saxophonist, woodwind player, and session musician.
The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra was a group of Hollywood session musicians organized by Frank Zappa in 1967 to record music for his first solo album Lumpy Gravy. Some of these musicians are thought to have worked together in various combinations under the leadership of Ken Shroyer as far back as 1959. However, it was Zappa who gave them the name several years later.
Lewis Burr Anderson was an American actor and musician. He is widely known by TV fans as the third and final actor to portray Clarabell the Clown on Howdy Doody between 1954 and 1960. He famously spoke Clarabell's only line on the show's final episode in 1960, with a tear visible in his right eye, "Goodbye, kids." Anderson is also widely known by jazz music fans as a prolific jazz arranger, big band leader, and alto saxophonist. Anderson also played the clarinet.
Legally Blonde is a 2007 musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach. It is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name.
Shrek the Musical is a musical with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. It is based on the 2001 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, along with elements of its sequels: Shrek 2, Shrek Forever After and William Steig's 1990 book Shrek!. After a trial run in Seattle, the original Broadway production opened in December 2008 and closed after a run of over 12 months in January 2010. It was followed by a tour of the United States which opened in 2010, and a re-vamped West End production from June 2011 to February 2013.
Joe DiPietro is an American playwright, lyricist and author. He is best known for the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis, for which he won the Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score as well as for writing the book and lyrics for the long-running off-Broadway show I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.
One Shot Deal is an album by Frank Zappa, posthumously released in June 2008.
Still Unforgettable is a 2008 studio album by American singer-songwriter and performer Natalie Cole. Cole won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Still Unforgettable at the 51st Grammy Awards.
A Christmas Carol is a musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens. The musical is based on Charles Dickens' 1843 novella of the same name. The show was presented annually at New York City's Theater at Madison Square Garden from December 1, 1994, to December 27, 2003.
Jennifer Cody is an American actress and dancer.
Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits! is the first compilation by American singer Frank Sinatra released on his own Reprise Records. It concentrates on mostly single releases from the mid to late 1960s, which fluctuates between adult contemporary pop and jazzy swing. The album opens up with Sinatra's recent number one hit "Strangers in the Night" and continues through the varied styles of music Sinatra recorded in the 60s, from easy listening ballads like "It Was a Very Good Year" and "Softly, as I Leave You" to contemporary pop like "When Somebody Loves You" and "That's Life". Greatest Hits was a modest hit, peaking at #55 on the album charts in late 1968. A second volume was issued in 1972, Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2. Both albums have since been supplanted with newer and more cohesive compilations.
Roald Dahl's Matilda, also known simply as Matilda and Matilda the Musical, is a musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly. It is based on the 1988 novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. The musical's narrative centres on Matilda Wormwood, a precocious five-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis, who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life. After a twelve-week trial run staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon from November 2010 to January 2011, it received its West End premiere on 24 November 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre and its Broadway premiere on 11 April 2013 at the Shubert Theatre.
Roman 'Romy' Louis Gosz was a popular and commercially successful polka musician in the upper Midwest. Gosz's music featured the Bohemian brass style and appealed to the many ethnic groups found throughout the region.
Big Fish is a musical with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by John August. It is based on Daniel Wallace's 1998 novel, Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions, and the 2003 film Big Fish written by John August and directed by Tim Burton.
The Beach Boys with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a 2018 album of remixed Beach Boys recordings with new orchestral arrangements performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It was produced by Nick Patrick and Don Reedman, who conducted similar projects for Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley.