From April 9th to April 12th UHS theater program presented their spring musical “All Shook Up.” This delightful jukebox musical is composed solely of songs by Elvis Presley.
The show begins with the character Chad being released from prison and leaving to a small town. The people in this town are all under a restrictive decency law put in place by the mayor and lonely. On the same day, the mayor’s son Dean quickly falls in love with a girl named Lorraine and plans to run away. After arriving, Chad meets Dennis whom he makes his sidekick and is in love with Loraine’s friend Natalie. Natalie doesnt love him though and instead falls for Chad,but Chad falls for a new girl in town named Miss Sandra. Natalie’s single father Jim has also fallen in love with Miss Sandra without knowing that Lorraine’s mother Sylvia is in love with him. This complex web of love all comes to a crash in the finale where Sylvia marries Jim, Miss Sandra marries Dennis, the mayor unexpectedly marries the sheriff, Dean and Lorraine stay together, and Chad and Natalie run away together on her motorcycle.
All Shook Up” is a jukebox musical meaning all the songs were pre-existing ones written by the late Elvis Presley. Even though it was made up of familiar songs, the numbers flowed really well from scene to song especially in the intro using “Jailhouse Rock” when Chad leaves jail. “I think it was what our troupe was meant to do and it found us in the end. I’m not usually a jukebox musical person but I really enjoy All Shook Up because who doesn’t love Elvis,” said junior Lauren King who played Natalie on the Elvis cast.
The spring show was changed from “Head over Heels” to “All Shook Up” halfway through the year. The director felt that after conversing with the students, this show gave the best opportunity for everyone to be included. “It required quick adjustments in planning, rehearsals, and design, as well as making sure our students felt heard, supported, and excited about the change. But the resilience and adaptability of our students and staff have turned that challenge into a fresh, energizing opportunity,” said director Alex Mendez.
This being the last show of the year gave students the opportunity to try new things and to achieve personal growth in the theater department. “This show is my first co-sound head show. It’s a lot different than being on the stage, which I was used to. I have to rehearse and practice in a whole different way than I did before,” said freshmen Delainey Macey. The cast and crew have learned to thrive in their new jobs and are ending the year feeling more confident of their roles in the theater department. “I decided to do this show because I wanted to be a part of one of the musicals but not as I usually would through tech, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try something new and I’m glad I did,” said junior Sofia Khan Ramos.
