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REVIEW: Turn up that jukebox for Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s lively musical comedy ‘All Shook Up’

Posted on July 18, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Meet Chad, a would-be Elvis big on swagger, sideburns and love for the ladies.

From that electric Jailhouse Rock opening, All Shook Up soaks up the nostalgia and the lighthearted side of the ‘Fabulous ‘50s.’ Adding humor, fun frivolity and amazing choreography, All Shook Up boasts powerful vocals and plenty of love to the beat of Elvis’s greatest hits. Turn up that jukebox. It’s time for a ride down memory lane.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will be rocking when ALL SHOOK UP, featuring 25 of Elvis’ hit songs, takes the stage July 12 – 21, 2024. (l to r) Chad (Christopher Lewis) and Ensemble. Photo by Robert P.

With exuberant direction by Arthur Gomez, tight and sweeping choreography by Larry Sousa with upbeat music direction by Mindy Cimini, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston presents All Shook Up live and in person at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts through July 21. This engaging musical comedy is approximately two hours with one 15 minute intermission and not for young children. Click here for more information and for tickets.

eagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will be rocking when ALL SHOOK UP, featuring 25 of Elvis’ hit songs, takes the stage July 12 – 21, 2024. (l to r) Chad (Christopher Lewis) and Ensemble. Photo by Robert P.JPG

Vibrantly charged in florescent blue and red by Frank Meissner Jr, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston brings the 50’s back to life with Janie Howland’s vintage set design of Main Street USA which includes Sylvia’s Honkey Tonk, Jim’s Service Station, Main Street Museum and appropriately Town Shoes which is a hint for those blue suede shoes. Each locale plays an integral part in roustabout Chad’s wild journey.

Boasting a Bye Bye Birdie vibe with Grease energy, All Shook Up looks at a small Midwestern town’s perspective on a summer day in 1955 when Chad, portrayed distinctly by Christopher Lewis, makes an instant impact. Lewis shakes up Main Street USA for the better while unearthing a guitar-tinged bebop vibe that self righteous and plotting Mayor Matilda, depicted with sharp comedic timing by Janis Hudson in a performance reminiscent of Joan Cusack, is determined to stop. In cat eye glasses and alongside James Turner the III as suspicious Sheriff Earl, Hudson shines in the fierce and catchy number The Devil in Disguise, humorously posing and barking out orders with zeal and authority.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will be rocking when ALL SHOOK UP, featuring 25 of Elvis’ hit songs, takes the stage July 12 – 21, 2024. (l to r) Mayor Matilda (Janis Hudson) and (Christopher Lewis) and Sheriff Earl (James Turner III) Photo by Robert P.

All Shook Up is full of deadpan jokes and clever quips with Elvis song titles and lyrics. When a townsperson points out Chad’s blue suede shoes, Chad casually warns to lay off them. Part impersonation with the vocal chops to match, Chad embodies the larger than life qualities of Elvis, but takes it one step further making the part his own exemplified in a resonating rendition of I Don’t Want to demonstrating Lewis’s own unique and dynamic range.

A storm of unrequited love and love triangles taken from a mix of Shakespearean comedies, this ‘50s musical comedy infuses a lot of elements into this lively tale and it works. Christopher Lewis as Chad makes a powerful impression on everyone he meets. Gwynne Wood as Natalie is the mechanic and is looking for more excitement than this little town can hold. Wood is endearing as Natalie who is sensible, timid, and resourceful with a powerful belt for One Night with You. Wood shares some charming chemistry with Jackson Jirard as best friend Dennis who only has eyes for Natalie. Jirard also shares some amusing scenes with Lewis, Wood, and Alfred-Jean Chavier’s Jim as the voice of reason.

Tader Shipley as vampy blond bombshell Miss Sandra also makes her own impression with a soaring rendition of Let Yourself Go and alongside the cast for a sassy take on Teddy Bear/Hound Dog.

Carolyn Saxon brings sincerity and candidness to Sylvia and shares a varying yet sweet rapport with her daughter, Lorraine, depicted by Amaris Rios and Jean-Alfred Chavier as forthright and apprehensive widow Jim. Saxon performs a stunning rendition of There’s Always Me.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will be rocking when ALL SHOOK UP, featuring 25 of Elvis’ hit songs, takes the stage July 12 – 21, 2024. Sylvia (Carolyn Saxon). Photo by Robert P.

The production also flips the script in more ways than one while staying faithful to the Shakespearean twists. Rebellious Lorraine and Preston Karp as dutiful Dean share exciting chemistry and their rendition of It’s Now or Never is a delight alongside Sousa’s innovative bus choreography.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will be rocking when ALL SHOOK UP, featuring 25 of Elvis’ hit songs, takes the stage July 12 – 21, 2024. Dean (Preston Karp) and Lorraine (Amaris Rios) Photo by Robert P.

C’mon everybody is a classic and vintage showstopper weaving in classic dance moves as Emerald City Theatrical does it again in vintage gleaming colored costumes ranging in plaids, bowling shirts, and gorgeous fit and flair crinoline dresses.

All Shook Up is bright, catchy and a lot of fun with an inherent message within an array of beloved Elvis hits that might lighten the weight of this world for awhile.

With exuberant direction by Arthur Gomez, amazing choreography by Larry Sousa with upbeat music direction by Mindy Cimini, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston presents All Shook Up live and in person at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts through July 21. This engaging musical comedy is approximately two hours with one 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ worth every penny

Posted on May 8, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

December 4, 1956 was a pivotal night for rock and roll music as four distinct, legendary performers united for a one-night-only recording experience unlike anything rock and roll would see again. The egos, the tension, and the harmony. Oh, the harmony.

Greater Boston Stage Company’s tribute concert musical Million Dollar Quartet is guaranteed to keep your feet tapping, whether you are aware of it or not. Directed by Ilyse Robbins with Music Direction by James Scheider who also portrays a hilarious Jerry Lee Lewis, Million Dollar Quartet continues through Sunday, May 19 at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and tickets.

Accompanied by Trey Lundquist behind the Fluke and Drums and Matthew Pitts as Brother Jay and Bass, Million Dollar Quartet does an exhilarating job of capturing the sound and magic of that musical night long ago featuring Luke Linsteadt as Elvis Presley, Nile Scott Hawver as Carl Perkins, Austin Wayne Price as Johnny Cash, and James Scheider as Jerry Lee Lewis. With a powerful, authentic sound by John Stone, inventive set design by Patrick Lynch, stylized concert lighting by Jeff Adelberg and Lawrence Ware, and each performer singing and playing their own instruments like the legends themselves, Million Dollar Quartet delivers greatness times four.

From L to R: James Scheider as Jerry Lee Lewis, Trey Lundquist as Fluke/Drums, Matthew Pitts as Brother Jay/Bass, Nile Scott Hawver as Carl Perkins, Melissa Geerlof as Dyanne, Luke Lundquist as Elvis Presley and Austin Wayne Price as Johnny Cash Photo courtesy of Greater Boston Stage Company

On the surface, Million Dollar Quartet seems like the ultimate jam session featuring classic songs such as Blue Suede Shoes, Folsom Prison Blues, Great Balls of Fire, and Ghost Riders, but that is only part of the story. The show is also about loyalty, a bit of David and Goliath, and knowing real talent from the man behind the music, Sam Phillips, portrayed with forthright affability by Robert Saoud. Saoud is wonderful as Phillips, a modest, compelling, and insightful narrator. A genius among record producers, Phillips had a vision and music was all that mattered.

Luke Linsteadt portrays a young, thriving Elvis complete with his familiar, rubbery legs as he keeps the crowd moving with Hound Dog. Attempting to keep his ego in check is Nile Scott Hawver as Carl Perkins, who was last seen at Speakeasy Stage’s captivating musical, Once. Though Perkins is the more reserved in the bunch, the story behind Blue Suede Shoes was one of Hawver’s best moments.

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Perfecting Johnny Cash’s guitar style is Austin Wayne Price, taking on the man in black with a soulful quality, his drawn, serious eyes and deep vocals deliver a unique rendition of Walk the Line. Jeff Scheider relishes the reckless and obnoxious nature of up and coming, bigger-than-his-britches Jerry Lee Lewis. Scheider is a real scene stealer, delivering some of the funniest one liners in the show while madly sweeping those piano keys.

Though Elvis brought a dancer to the recording studio as his date on that night in 1956, Melissa Geerlof slips into the role of Dyanne, a promising songstress. She shows she is much more than Elvis’s eye candy singing Fever with an alluring, bluesy growl.

The cast of Million Dollar Quartet Photo courtesy of Greater Boston Stage Company

Though Million Dollar Quartet features plenty of rock and roll moments, the band’s quieter scenes are just as appealing. When Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis unite for an acapella version of the spirituals, Down by the Riverside and Peace in the Valley, their clean, silvery harmony is pure perfection.

Greater Boston Stage Company’s Million Dollar Quartet continues through Sunday, May 19 at Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main Street in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and tickets. Click here for more information on Greater Boston Stage Company’s recently announced 20th season.