All Shook Up (musical)

The musical had a developmental staging at the Goodspeed Musicals May 13-June 6, 2004, with most of the Broadway cast, except for Manley Pope in the lead role of Chad. Christopher Ashley directed, with choreography by Jody Moccia. The musical had a tryout in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace from December 19, 2004, through January 23, 2005.[1] After the tryout, changes were made to the finale and to add "a more specific instrumental and vocal voice" for Chad.[2] The characters and plot twists in the musical were inspired by William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, As You Like It and A Midsummer Night's Dream.[1]

Broadway

The musical premiered on Broadway at the Palace Theatre on March 24, 2005, and closed on September 25, 2005, after 213 performances and 33 previews. Directed by Christopher Ashley, with choreography by Ken Roberson, the original Broadway cast included Cheyenne Jackson (Chad), Jenn Gambatese (Natalie Haller/"Ed"), and Jonathan Hadary (Jim Haller).[2][3][4]

It has been performed in the US at regional theatres, colleges and high schools.

US National tour

The US National tour played 35 cities in September 2006 – 2007, directed by Christopher Ashley, and featuring Joe Mandragona as Chad, and Jenny Fellner as Natalie.[5] Sergio Trujillo revised the choreography for the tour.[6]

"Love Me Tender" - 2015 UK Tour

In 2015, a UK tour of the show commenced at Manchester Opera House in June 2015 with the show being retitled "Love Me Tender". The production starred Mica Paris as 'Sylvia', Sian Reeves as ‘Mayor Matilda Hyde’, Shaun Williamson as ‘Jim’ and Ben Lewis as ‘Chad'.

This synopsis is based on the current licensed version

Act One

Somewhere in the midwest in the 1950s, Chad, a hip-swiveling, guitar-playing roustabout, is released from prison ("Jailhouse Rock").

In a nearby dreary little town, a young mechanic named Natalie yearns for love and adventure, unaware that her best friend Dennis secretly has a crush on her. Sitting in Sylvia's Honky-Tonk, the townspeople struggle with their feelings of loneliness ("Heartbreak Hotel") — until they're interrupted by the roar of a motorbike: it is Chad ("Roustabout").

In need of a mechanic, Chad is introduced to Natalie, who is instantly smitten ("One Night With You") and promises to repair his broken-down bike. Upon learning that Mayor Matilda has instated the Mamie Eisenhower Decency Act, outlawing "Loud music, public necking, and tight pants", Chad seeks to incite some rebelliousness in the citizens ("C'mon Everybody").

Whilst Natalie fixes his motorbike, Chad inspires her to take to the open road ("Follow That Dream"). In attempt to appear more attractive to Chad, Natalie wears the only dress she owns: a tattered one used to clean car engines.

Chad asks Dennis to become his sidekick, of which Dennis accepts. The newly-formed duo come across the town's museum owner Sandra, whom Chad instantly falls in love with ("One Night With You" —reprise). Chad attempts to smooth-talk her, but she resists ("Teddy Bear/Hound Dog").

Sylvia's teenage daughter, Lorraine, helps Natalie change into a much nicer dress. Natalie's widowed father, Jim, falls in love with Sandra immediately upon meeting her in the Honky-Tonk ("One Night With You"—reprise). Mayor Matilda's son, Dean, confesses to Lorraine that he thinks she's beautiful. Chad encourages the teenager's blossoming relationship, much to Sylvia's dismay ("That's All Right"). Matilda, accompanied by the silent Sheriff Earl, demands that Dean is sent on a bus to military academy. At the last minute, Dean chooses to disobey his mother and stay in town with his newfound love, Lorraine ("It's Now Or Never").

Chad once again tries flirting with Sandra, still to no avail. Natalie, desperate for Chad's attention, has the idea of disguising herself as a man named 'Ed' in order to get closer to him ("Love Me Tender"). Dennis suggests that Chad gives Sandra a Shakespearean sonnet. Suddenly, another leather-jacketed roustabout rides into town: it is Natalie, now dressed as Ed ("Blue Suede Shoes"). To Dennis' disappointment, Chad instantly adopts Ed as his new sidekick. Jim seeks romance advice from Chad, who gives Jim a much-needed lesson in coolness, both unaware they seek the same woman ("Don't Be Cruel").

Under Chad's orders, Ed visits the museum to give Sandra a sonnet. Sandra is so moved by it however, that she finds herself attracted to Ed ("One Night With You"—reprise). Flustered, Ed tries to leave, but Sandra is intent on seducing him ("Let Yourself Go").

Matilda, shocked that Dean has stayed in town so he could be with Lorraine, vows to arrest Chad due to his influence. To avoid capture, Ed suggests that Chad hides in the town's abandoned fairgrounds. Jim, now with a boost of confidence, condemns Sylvia for having grown so bitter, and gives her a very surprising kiss. Soon, everyone in town find themselves escaping to the fairgrounds, searching for someone to love ("Can't Help Falling in Love").

Act Two

In the midst of the abandoned fairgrounds, the townspeople are restless and randy ("All Shook Up"). Dennis reveals that he's upset about the way Chad treats Natalie ("It Hurts Me"). However, she insists that Chad is the only guy for her.

Natalie, disguised as Ed, asks Chad for advice on how to seduce a woman ("A Little Less Conversation"), but Ed winds up kissing Chad in the process, leaving the two of them stunned. Chad and Jim realize they are both in love with the same woman: Sandra, who is lustfully searching for Ed ("Power Of My Love"). Jim confesses his love to Sandra, but she doesn't even remember meeting him. Angered by Sandra's attraction to Ed, Chad attempts hitting him, but is unable to bring himself to do it. Chad realizes that he has feelings for his new sidekick ("I Don't Want To").

Meanwhile, Matilda and Earl search the fairgrounds for the roustabout ("Devil In Disguise"). A heartbroken Jim runs into Sylvia, who confesses her newfound feelings for him ("There's Always Me"). Dean and Lorraine plan to catch the morning train out of town, but they come across Chad, who convinces them to stay and fight for their love ("If I Can Dream").

Matilda gathers the townspeople together to find her son and arrest Chad. Unexpectedly, Chad enters alongside Dean and Lorraine. Earl finally breaks his silence, denying Matilda's orders to arrest Chad and confessing his love for her. With a newfound acceptance of love, Matilda allows Dean and Lorraine to be together, as does Sylvia ("Can't Help Falling In Love -reprise"). Chad bravely confesses his love for Ed, who proceeds to reveal that he is actually Natalie in disguise. Chad is taken aback by this and leaves town. Dennis takes the opportunity to confess his long-time crush to Natalie, who kindly rejects him. However, he and Sandra realize a common admiration for Shakespeare and subsequently fall in love with each other ("One Night With You"—reprise). Left alone with her father Jim, Natalie comes to terms with Chad's absence ("Fools Fall In Love").

A triple wedding consisting of Jim & Sylvia, Matilda & Earl and Dennis & Sandra takes place. Chad makes a sudden return, interrupting the wedding and declaring his love for Natalie. She decides not to marry him and instead hit the open road, opting to make Chad her sidekick. The brides and grooms marry while the town celebrates ("Burning Love").

Source:[3][4]

• Chad: a great-looking, motorcycling, guitar-playing, leather-jacketed roustabout.
• Natalie Haller (Early 20s): a mechanic.
• Dennis: a young, quirky, and awkward, aspiring dentist.
• Jim Haller: Natalie's widowed father.
• Sylvia: the no-nonsense, owner of Sylvia's Honky-Tonk.
• Miss Sandra: the beautiful, intellectual caretaker of the town's museum.
• Lorraine: Sylvia's 16-year-old daughter.
• Mayor Matilda Hyde (mid 40s-50s): the town's conservative mayor.
• Sheriff Earl (mid 40s-50s): the law in town. A man of not many words.
• Dean Hyde: Matilda's 16-year-old son. He has grown up at a military boarding school
• Henrietta: Regular at Sylvia's Honky-Tonk
• Ensemble
  • Female Customer
  • Female Clerk
  • Bus Driver
  • Warden
  • Fella
  • Guys #1 & #2
  • Barflies

The original Broadway production had fifteen musicians, including the musical director and associate conductor. The original production was scored for two keyboards, two guitars, electric bass, drums, percussion, four woodwinds, three trumpets, and trombone. The first keyboard part was played by the conductor and the second keyboard part also doubled on organ. The first woodwind part doubled on piccolo, flute, clarinet, and alto sax; the second on flute, clarinet, and alto sax; the third on clarinet and tenor sax; the fourth on bass clarinet and baritone sax. There were also three trumpets where the first trumpet is the lead trumpet. The trumpets also doubled on flugelhorn.

The orchestration that is under the current license is based on the national tour version; there are only twelve musicians. The percussion part is removed, there are now three woodwind parts, and two trumpets. The rest remain the same. This time the first woodwind part doubles on flute and alto sax; the second on clarinet and tenor sax; the third on bass clarinet and baritone sax.

The Original Broadway cast recording was released on May 31, 2005, by BMG Marketing.

The musical was the source of a minor controversy when students put it on at Herriman High School in Utah. After discussion, the play was allowed to go on after "minor edits to Presley’s songs and scene changes" to reduce its sexuality.[7]

For other plays relating to Elvis Presley, see also Cooking with Elvis.

• Internet Broadway Database listing
• All Shook Up plot summary and character descriptions at StageAgent.com
• New York Times review, March 25, 2005
• All Shook Up Music Tracks on Masterworks Broadway