When Elvis shook his hips, Brando rode his motorcycle and when Dean rebelled and – America changed. The Northwest Indiana premier of “All Shook Up!” will change the expectations of high school musical audiences.
The Valparaiso High School Drama Club will present this new jukebox musical on Nov. 20-22. Directed by Michele Craig the cast features nearly 40 VHS students singing and dancing their hearts out in search of true love, justice and the American way.
When a guitar-playing roustabout rides into town the music of Elvis Presley and Shakespeare’s tale of “Twelfth Night” combine to transport us back to the 1950s where music, a pair of jeans and a free spirit could still shake things up.
The score includes such Elvis classics as; “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “That’s All Right,” “Don’t be Cruel” and “Burning Love.” More than 25 of “The King’s” greatest hits are featured in this show. The book by Joe DiPietro, is based on William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.”
While built around songs made famous by Presley, “All Shook Up” is the story of a small town girl with big dreams and the motorcycle-riding stud she falls for as a small town in the 1950s comes to grip with the unjustness of segregation.
The musical opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 2005 and ran for 213 performances. The original Broadway production was directed by Christopher Ashley, with choreography by Ken Roberson and the cast included Cheyenne Jackson, Jenn Gambatese and Jonathan Hadary.
Performance Dates: November 20th & 21st, @ 7:30 p.m. and November 22nd @ 2 p.m.
Individual Tickets are: $10.00 General Admission
Tickets are available from any Valparaiso High School Drama Club member, at Blythes Sporting Goods, 2819 Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso or through the Memorial Opera House Box Office, located at 104 Indiana Ave. in Valparaiso. Memorial Opera House Box office hours are Mon. through Sat. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Michele Craig/Director (Community Member) was recently hired on as Theatre Sponsor/Director for the 2009/10 school year at the High School.
Lindsay Hillesland (Co-Theatre Sponor) is a new English Teacher at Valparaiso High School.
Linda Schonbachler (Music/Vocal Director) is the Choir Teacher at Valparaiso High School.
Daniel Pritchett (Orchestra Director) is the Band Director at Valparaiso High School.
Kathryn Bailey (Technical Director) is a teacher at Valparaiso High School.
Other community members helping with the show include:
Choreographer – Amber Mills
Set Design & Construction – Zachary Gipson
Costumes – Jodi Pynakker