Berkshire on Stage

I have never been inspired by Elvis Presley nor attracted to his music. However, the outstanding cast of the Mac-Haydn Theatre shakes their hips, sings their hearts out and absolutely dazzles in All Shook Up.

Opening on Broadway in 2005 and loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, modernized to the 1950’s with Presley’s music, we see a cast in a small town run by an uptight mayor who discourages integration and homosexuality. Chad, a ‘roustabout’ comes to town on his motorcycle and leather jacket to shake up the residents’ morals and awaken their sexuality.

We see hints of Footloose in the repressed community, Hairspray with teens defying segregation, Bye-Bye Birdie with the excitement of a hot rock star coming to town, and Cyrano, with the sensitive rejected suitor attempting to help the good-looking man pursue his dream woman with poetry. Nothing is unique in All Shook Up. But all will make you smile, laugh and applaud.

Much of the summer stock cast of the moving and powerful Rent returns to the stage for All Shook Up, with some ensemble characters now performing as leads. Natalie (Cydney Gleckner) plays a teenage car mechanic who longs to leave her small town and meet someone who will sweep her off her feet. In drives Chad (Spencer Stanley) on his bike looking for a mechanic to fix what’s ‘jiggling.’ Natalie is instantly smitten while Chad remains unaware. Dennis (Jacob Atkins), a smart, shy lifelong friend of Natlie, who longs to deepen their relationship becomes jealous of Chad. Yet, taken in by Chad’s charm and attention, Dennis becomes Chad’s sidekick, accompanying him on guitar as Chad tries to woo Miss Sandra (Rachel Partazis), the head of the town museum.

Sylvia (Ashley D. Kelley), an African American café owner and her daughter, Lorraine (CeCe Morin) a teenage café waitress are both dissatisfied with what their town has to offer. Sylvia, jaded by love, finds herself falling for her old friend and widower, Jim Haller (Gabe Beleyu) who is Natalie’s father. Lorraine, young and eager to fall in love, is drawn to the mayor’s son, Dean Hyde (Jake Koch), who is in military school. Both men are white. In the meantime, Jim thinks he’s in love with Miss Sandra, the object of Chad’s affections. Miss Sandra, rejecting both men, lustfully falls for Natalie, who has made herself look like a man named Ed. Natalie is hoping to be liked as a friend by Chad so she can get close to him. Yes, it is all confusing and silly, but we know everyone will be happy and wind up with their true loves in the end.

Elvis Presley’s many songs are woven artfully into the musical to move along the story. Chad introduces himself with Roustabout. Loneliness is depicted in Heartbreak Hotel. Teddy Bear/Hound Dog, a four-part medley of seduction and rejection is gloriously performed by Chad, Sandra, Dennis and Natalie. It’s Now or Never, sung by Lorraine and Dean before Dean goes off to military school, while each is hoping for a kiss, adds to the anticipation and laughter.

Every cast member, including the ensemble, can sing, dance and sell their songs. Stanley as Chad is sexy, with the right moves, the perfect look and a voice to match. 

Gleckner as Natalie ably sings, and plays off Chad, Dennis and Miss Sandra. Pantazis believably plays snooty and lecherous Miss Sandra, causing us to laugh uproariously when she plays the latter. 

We root for adorable Lorraine and shy Dean as Morin and Koch have great chemistry trying to get together without their parents finding out.

Atkins is delightful as Dennis and sings and dances his way into our hearts, if not into Natalie’s.

Belyeu, as Jim, demonstrates his comfort and experience on the Mac-Haydn stage, allowing himself to be vulnerable to love and finding it right in front of him.

Katherine Pound, as Mayor Matilda Hyde, shows perfect comic timing and a beautiful soprano voice, causing us to laugh, despise and eventually care for her character.

Kelly, as Sylvia, a role she has played before, often steals the stage whenever she appears. She is strong, wise, funny and has a voice that fills the theater. We all fall in love with her. She is the heart of the show.

Choreography by Andrew Turteltaub is top-notch on a relatively small thrust stage. A special shout-out to ensemble member, Tanner Kirol. A trained ballet dancer, his dancing draws attention in every group number.

Scenic Designer, Alivia Cross and Lighting Designer, Andrew Gmoser depict a simple set with Las Vegas style multicolored lights as a backdrop and a full drawing of a guitar on the stage, with strings going up the wall. Props designed on wheels by Clay Cates represent art pieces in the museum, the furniture in the café, the fountain in the park and the tools needed in the mechanic garage. Direction by David Alpert enables the scene transitions to be rapid and seamless, allowing the pace of this musical to be brisk and bustling with energy.

Costume Designer, Daniel Hewson, dresses everyone in 50’s style clothes, putting an emphasis on leather jackets and blue suede shoes.

Music Director Matt Levinstein leads a rousing band that accompanies these golden oldies, while bringing everyone to their feet by the end of the show.

I didn’t need to see Elvis to fall in love with this production of All Shook Up. I just couldn’t help it. Thank you very much.

The Mac-Haydn Theatre presents “All Shook Up” inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley
Book by Joe DiPietro, from August 1-11, 2024. Director David Alpert, choreographer Andrew Turteltaub, musical director Matt Levinstein. CAST: Spencer Stanley as Chad, Cydney Gleckner as Natalie Haller, Jacob Atkins as Dennis, Rachel Pantazis as Miss Sandra, Cece Morin as Lorraine, Katherine Pound as Mayor Matilda Hyde, Taye Martin as Sheriff Earl, Jake Koch as Dean Hyde, Ashley D. Kelley as Sylvia, Gabe Belyeu as Jim Haller. ENSEMBLE: Tanner Kirol, Anthony Michael Velez, JJ Razzano, Jack Iovanella, Amber Mawande-Spytek, Belle Babcock, Adeline Trivers, Amelia Scheriff. CREATIVE TEAM: Scenic design by Alivia Cross, lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, costume design by Dan Hewson, sound design by Sean McGinley, hair and makeup by Emily Allen, and props design by Clay Cates.

For tickets and information, please visit www.machaydntheatre.org or call the box office at (518) 392-9292.