ALL SHOOK UP Comes to Ivoryton, Opens Today

Time to dust off your blue suede shoes: The Ivoryton Playhouse is preparing for its latest summer musical, ALL SHOOK UP by Joe Di Pietro, inspired by and featuring the songs of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley.

The show had its first staging on the shoreline in 2004 at the Norma Terris Theatre in Chester and later ran for 213 performances on Broadway.

Like a play by Shakespeare seen through a fun house mirror, ALL SHOOK UP tips its hat to the Bard, especially his magical comedies Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream, with themes of unrequited love, humorous confusion, and an ultimately happy ending.

It's 1955 and into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets in this hip swiveling, lip-curling musical fantasy. ALL SHOOK UP features 24 Presley classics, such as "Jailhouse Rock" and "Heartbreak Hotel."

Appropriate for all ages, this one is sure to be an instant hit. Playhouse Artistic Director, Jacqueline Hubbard says "We were looking for a summer musical that would appeal to people of all ages and this show certainly fits the bill. It is high energy and really funny with great music but it also deals with themes of inequality and challenging the status quo. And of course, a love story - what would summer be without a good old fashioned love story!"

Directed and choreographed by Richard Amelius and musical directed by Logan Medland, the show features Preston Ellis as Chad and Danielle Bowen as Natalie. Set design by Cully Long, lighting design by Marcus Abbott and costumes by Kari Crowther.

Will true love prevail? Will the power of music win in the end? Tickets are available online and at the box office.

ALL SHOOK UP opens in Ivoryton on July 2nd and runs through July 27th . Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. There are 2 extra matinees for this show on Saturday July 19th and 26th at 2pm. Tickets are $42 for adults, $37 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Generously sponsored by: Pasta Vita

Members of the press are welcome at any performance. Please call ahead for tickets.

Photo Credit: by Anne Hudson