How to go
What: “All Shook Up”
Where: La Comedia Dinner Theatre, Ohio 73, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro
When: Through June 29; evening performances (arrival time 5:30-6:00 p.m.) and matinees (arrival time 10:30-11:00 a.m.)
Cost: $55-$71; An “early bird” discount of $4 per ticket applies to May performances.
Tickets/more info: Call (937) 746-4554 or 1-800-677-9505 or visit www.lacomedia.com
Elvis Presley’s hit tunes are the centerpiece of the 2005 musical comedy “All Shook Up,” written by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro (“Memphis,” “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”) and continuing through June 29 at La Comedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro.
Incorporating 25 timeless songs and loosely based on William Shakespeare’s gender-bending “Twelfth Night,” “All Shook Up” tells an original story of romance, race and mistaken identity in a small, rundown Midwestern city circa 1955. Thanks to Chad, a charismatic, mysterious, hip-swiveling stranger, the town is completely reenergized with an upbeat message of love fueled by classic rock and roll music. Songs include “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Love Me Tender,” “C’mon Everybody,” “It’s Now or Never,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and the title number.
“The music in this show is a huge, appealing attraction,” said director/choreographer Chris Beiser. “Through music the characters find love and discover that so many neat things can happen in your life if you just have music. But this show is also full of fun characters. It’s a real, lighthearted, goofy, sweet experience. Natalie, the leading female character, is so in love with Chad that she’s willing to dress like a boy in order to find out all she can about him in order to get closer to him. And the show keeps twisting and turning until ultimately every character is supposed to be with the right person.”
“This show is such a breath of fresh air,” echoed Michael Karraker, who portrays Chad and previously appeared in La Comedia’s productions of “9 to 5: The Musical” and “Peter Pan.” “It’s a feel-good musical that should leave audiences feeling happy. It doesn’t hit big issues too terribly hard as well. This musical reminds audiences to follow their hearts wherever love leads them and accept whatever happiness that may be.”
Karraker is no stranger to “All Shook Up,” having portrayed Chad at Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre in Wichita, Kan., and Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, Ill. He acknowledges the desire to find other layers to the character in order to keep his perspectives fresh.
“There are different ways to approach Chad,” he said. “I wanted to bring a smoother edge to him this time in order to make him cooler. I didn’t want him to be too melodramatic, but I also wanted him to have some sense of realism. Overall it’s a very fun role to play.”
Beiser is fully aware some audiences may have seen productions of “All Shook Up” bordering on parody, specifically due to its Elvis-inspired influences, but he promises a version that upholds character first.
“It’s easy to do this show as a cartoon with Chad as an overdone Elvis, but we’re uncovering every character’s personality in this production,” Beiser said. “Audiences want to be entertained. ‘All Shook Up’ offers a wonderful evening of breezy, laidback, energetic entertainment.”
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