Review: ALL SHOOK UP at Nebraska Wesleyan University Theatre

Everyone was really ALL SHOOK UP last night at Nebraska Wesleyan University's McDonald Theatre! A bat, careening over the heads of the actors and the audience caused more than a few squeals. But that wayward bat only added to the fun of what was already a great evening of song and dance.

ALL SHOOK UP, a musical crafted from the songs of Elvis Presley and book by Joe DiPietro, is a fun romantic comedy of errors with characters who fall in love with the wrong people. Chad (played by just right Garret Weskamp) roars into town on his motorcycle with a guitar strung over his black leather jacketed back. The girls swoon. The guys envy. Natalie (Maddie Wurth), not your typical female, is clad in grease stained overalls as she works as a mechanic in her widower father Jim's (James Booker III) garage. The grease doesn't put off bookish Dennis (Noah Tierney) who is convinced that this girl is the love of his life. Sadly, he is unable to work up the courage to tell her. What's more: Natalie has set her heart on Chad.

The sensuous Miss Sandra (Cat Pestinger), curator of the local museum, appreciates the finer things in life, such as Shakespearean sonnets. She also can act like a loose woman when the right man crosses her path.

Mayor Matilda (Nicole Vawser) keeps a tight rein on the town, enforcing the Mamie Eisenhower Decency Act with the help of her silent sidekick, Sheriff Earl (Jonathan Algeroy). She also keeps a firm grasp on her son, Dean (Trevor Harr), who spends most of his formative years in a military academy. Dean falls into forbidden love with teenaged Lorraine (Jessica Moehlman) daughter of the widow Sylvia (Lisa Lee) who runs the town cafe.

Chad, ever the roustabout, stirs up the citizens of the town with his inner music which is able to turn on a nonworking jukebox with a single touch. He encourages the people to find love, which they do. Only not with the right people. The errors in relationships escalate into hilarious confusion with a satisfying conclusion.

Wesleyan's theatre company puts on an impressive show directed by Jack Parkhurst with musical direction by Julie Heaton. The opening Jailhouse Rock number is incredible with some of the best choreography I've seen. That is due to bringing in an accomplished guest choreographer, Hollie Howard. The dancing and movement were beyond what you would normally experience in a college production. Well Done!

Besides the stellar choreography, the singing is great. There are standout solos and there are thrilling chorus numbers that fill the auditorium with gorgeous harmonies. Chad plays guitar, adding a nice realistic touch to his smooth vocals.

Maddie Wurth and Noah Tierney, in particular, are both extremely funny! Just their mannerisms and facials are enough to tickle the funny bone. Wurth's sooty beard made me laugh every time she sang a heartfelt song. The contradiction is too precious. Her imitation of Miss Sandra's moves are sweetly funny as she tries to discover how to seduce her man. Noah Tierney is charming as a lovestruck nerd. His actions as Chad's sidekick are comedy gold.

Other notably funny moments are the cardboard busload of onlookers and Nicole Vawser and Jonathan Algeroy driving off in their pink cardboard convertible. It's all so ridiculous that it's awesome.

The characters are well cast. The leads are wonderful. The ensemble is terrific. The acting is solid. The music delicious. This is a delightful production that will please everyone. If you like Elvis, you'll love it. If you like to laugh, you'll love it. If you like to watch talented young people do what they do best, you'll love it.

ALL SHOOK UP runs August 19 and 26 at 2:00 pm, and again August 23-25 at 7:30 pm.

nebrwesleyan.edu/theatre-tickets

Box Office: (402) 465-2384