All Shook Up at Rockville Musical Theatre is a toe-tapping, hand clapping extravaganza that is inspired by, and features songs of, the late Elvis Presley. Patrons, mid-40s and older, will get a kick out of the nostalgia of yester-year, and those under 40 will gain an appreciation for the King himself. Many of Elvis’ most popular songs like “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hound Dog,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” are woven together to tell the story of several couples dealing with love in very different ways. One couple discovers love at first sight while another deals with mistaken identity. Other lead characters face the heartache of unrequited love and, then, there is the sensitive 1950’s subject of interracial love. While love can be such a serious subject, this production deals with love and relationships with humor and great comedic timing.
…a joy to watch..a toe-tapping, hand clapping extravaganza
Chad, played by Tim Adams, is the smooth operating roustabout who, upon his arrival, wakes up a sleepy small town to love with his hip-swiveling, lip-curling actions. Ivanna Barrientos plays Natalie with spunk and spirit, and she is instantly attracted to Chad. However, he’s chasing after Miss Sandra, portrayed by the sultry Lee Rosenthal. To complicate matters, Natalie’s best friend, Dennis, portrayed by Mark Hamberger, secretly carries a torch for Natalie.
To make matters even more problematic, Miss Sandra is being pursued by a second suitor, the slightly insecure Jim Haller (Natalie’s father), played flawlessly by Brad Carnes-Stine. However, Miss Sandra has fallen for someone who isn’t quite as he seems. To add to the multi-layers of the plotline is Jim’s friend, Sylvia, played by the dynamic Ivana Alexander. A tell-it-like-it-is woman, Sylvia eventually points out to Jim that she has always been his friend and that she loves him. Jim realizes Sylvia has been there for him all along since his wife died, and he also eventually proclaims his love for her.
The sweetheart couple of this enthusiastic cast is Dean, played by Aaron Lempert, and Lorraine (Sylvia’s daughter), played by Avia Fields. The characters of Dean and Lorraine are absolutely cute and charming. This duet exudes chemistry especially during their number, “It’s Now or Never.”
The minimalist set design cleverly reuses set pieces throughout the show to depict various places, like the Sylvia’s Honky Tonk, Jim’s gas station, the Museum Gardens, and the Old Fairgrounds. The costumes added flair to the 1950s time period, with the gals donning full skirts, blouses, and ponytails with scarves. The guys wore trousers and button down shirts, but most importantly, several cast members dance their hearts out in their blue suede shoes.
The ensemble cast was upbeat and enthusiastic from the opening number to the finale. It was a joy to watch a cast that truly loves what they do – sing, dance, and entertain.
Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
The remaining dates to see All Shook Up at Rockville Musical Theatre is November 9, 10, 16 & 17 at 8 PM and November 11 at 2 PM. The theatre is located in Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD 20851. The box office phone number is (240) 314-8690.
