Backstage West Review

All Shook Up
February 27, 2008
By Les Spindle
Librettist Joe DiPietro's exuberant jukebox musical shoehorns the songs of Elvis Presley into a narrative that's part camp, part romantic farce. The loopy tale of mismatched lovers in a 1955 Midwest burg incorporates classics that range from sweet romantic ballads such as "Love Me Tender" to the rollicking "Devil in Disguise" and the hip-swiveling title song. Starting with a gender-bending plot device reminiscent of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, DiPietro stirred in a dash of Footloose, then seasoned the brew with humorous flashes from sundry vintage shows such as The Music Man and Bye Bye Birdie. In director Steven Glaudini's effervescent regional premiere for Musical Theatre West, this 2005 Broadway show feels like an underrated gem, driven by sidesplitting tongue-in-cheek humor, those evergreen chart-toppers, and a tinge of genuine heart.

Glaudini fills the blue suede shoes of the archetypal characters with spirited triple-threat performers. Fast-rising Derek Keeling is marvelous as Chad, a rebellious roustabout who breezes into town on his motorcycle with trusty guitar in tow. His black leather jacket, skin-tight pants, hyperactive hips, and lady-killing sex appeal raise the ire of conservative and controlling Mayor Matilda (the hilarious Cynthia Ferrer), while stirring up the libido of love-starved tomboy Natalie (the exquisite Bets Malone). Unrequited love between several characters makes for amusing complications, leading to a predictable but satisfying conclusion. Malone has a field day with her cross-dress escapades, playing the slapstick mix-ups to the hilt. Fleet-footed Danny Calvert is a charming second banana, playing Natalie's good pal Dennis, who secretly pines to be her boyfriend. Other supporting roles are sublimely portrayed: belter extraordinaire Gwen Stewart as a lonely bar proprietor, Sylvia; Barry Pearl as the widower who's the apple of her eye; Sabrina N. Sloan as Sylvia's defiant teenage daughter, Lorraine; Tristan Rumery as the military-academy cadet involved with Lorraine in a forbidden interracial romance; Tracy Lore as the town's sexy new museum curator; and John Massey as a milquetoast sheriff with a surprise up his sleeve.

This fun-house ride of a show is buoyed by choreographer Lee Martino's toe-tapping numbers that brim with style and sharp wit, Michael Borth's rousing music direction, and spectacular design elements. Elvis aficionados and others seeking madcap musical mirth should shake, rattle, and roll their way to the Carpenter Center, post haste.



Presented by Musical Theatre West at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach.

Thu.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 & 7 p.m. (Dark Sat. 8 p.m. Mar. 1 and Sun. 7 p.m. Mar. 9.) Feb. 23-Mar. 9. (562) 856-19