An Upper

    There are some shows out there that just make you happy.  (an upper, in drug speech lol) I have many, but i would have to say one of them that is sure to improve my mood on a bad day is All Shook Up.

   

          This is a musical based on the life and career of Elvis Presley, also on Shakespeare's 12th Night, if you can believe that combination. It also has to be one of the funnest musicals i've ever been involved with! It is, by far, not the best musical i've ever seen, and it doesn't try to be, but if you're looking for a good laugh, and a rocking good time, this is the show for you!

       The show starts out as roustabout Chad comes to a sad, segregated town who's mayor has banned all upbeat music and dancing.  Not for long as Chad comes in and puts new life into their juke box and, in turn, the entire town. Not to mention winning the heart of Natalie the machanic.  Soon everything goes wacky as Chad doesn't love Natalie, he loves Sandra, the beautiful museum manager, who is also loved by Natalie's dad.....Who is loved by Sylvia, his best friend. And it gets even more complicated as Natalie decides to dress as a guy, (who she names Edd) to become close to Chad! Soon, Sandra is in love with Edd, Natalie's friend Dennis is in love with her, and Sylvias daughter and the mayor's son are in love too!!  Phew.....crazy crazy crazy! But crazy awesome! Everything turns out right in the end, and they all live happily ever after!

      
Favorite Part: It's nearly impossible to choose my favorite part of this show! The arrangements of the music were wonderful and fit in wonderfully with the story line. The script was fairly well written with the right amount of funnies and a lot of heart. For the production i did, the choreography was fantastic.  There are plenty of opportunities in this musical for the ensemble to shine, as well as the leads, which is something that is very impressive to me.  Just an all around fun show!

Before this production, I had developed a bad attitude about theater from some bad expiriences i had had in the past couple of years. You could say that like Chad in the musical, this show walked into my life and reignited my love and convicitions about theater.  It tore down my bad views about myself as a performer, and gave me a new view about myself, as well as the world around me.  Is it a musical Les Mis in proportions, no.  Did it change me, give me some wonderful friendships, as well as give lots of enjoyment to others? Most definately.  And for that, I will be forever greatful!

                        Needless to say, if this musical is playing near you, it's not one to miss!!!