This month marks 38 years since the world lost Elvis Presley, but his music lives on, a joyful burst of burning love and blue suede shoes, belted out by the talented cast of “All Shook Up,” this summer’s Youth on Stage production at the North Fork Community Theatre in Mattituck.
This year’s Youth on Stage production at the NFCT is directed by Brett Chizever and produced by Babette Cornine.
“All Shook Up” is a musical comedy built around songs made famous by Elvis Presley. According to a release sent out by NFCT, “The story is based on Shakespeare’s play ‘Twelfth Night’. It takes place in 1955, somewhere in middle America, where one girl’s dream and a surprise visit from a mysterious leather-jacketed, guitar-playing stranger helps a small town to discover the magic of romance and the power of rock & roll.”
The show, which features Elvis classics such as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and “All Shook Up” simply dazzles, from beginning to end, with musical performances so compelling it’s fair to say some of the young stars onstage could one day be Broadway bound.
“All Shook Up” is the perfect summer show, with echoes of “Footloose” — another NFCT production staged four years ago. Restless teens are aching for love and romance in a place where just about everything is forbidden by a mayor who’s instituted the Mamie Eisenhower Decency Act, which outlaws loud music, public necking and tight pants — a straight-laced edict that’s stifled the spontaneity right out of the sleepy town.
Enter Chad, played with hip-swiveling, lip-smirking perfection by a familiar NFCT face, John Bradley, who infuses the role of roustabout with a healthy dose of Elvis swagger coupled with impeccable slapstick timing that elicits roars of laughter from the crowd. He’s got the magical, musical touch that can bring long-broken jukeboxes back to life and leave a trail of girls swooning in his wake and a lineup of boys begging to be his sidekick, in the hopes that some of the cool factor will rub right off his slick leather jacket.
Chad bursts into Sylvia’s, where locals drown their sorrows and dream, and where Natalie, a young female mechanic, has been coping with the loss of her mother by learning everything there is to know about how to fix a motorbike.
Olivia Andrunik, who portrays Natalie, is a natural talent whose got the winning trifecta of powerhouse voice, acting chops, and dance moves second to none. Watching Andrunik as Natalie, who loses her heart to Chad and will do anything, even pretend to be a boy, Ed, to win his friendship, is a highlight in a show packed with star turns.
“All Shook Up” is ultimately a show about love, and the twists and detours lovers take on the road to forever. The audience roots for Sylvia, who owns the eatery, as she pines for Jim, a longtime friend and Natalie’s widowed father, who’s vying for the affections, along with Chad, of the cultured Miss Sandra, local museum curator.
Alexandra Meli simply shines as Sylvia, with a voice so pure it brings tears during her heartaching moments in “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” But sweet is tempered with a stand-out voice that’s literally show-stopping; the girl’s got incomparable pipes.
Sean Thomas Noonan’s Jim displays an acting range beyond his years; his grief over his lost wife is palpable. Aria Marissa Saltini as Miss Sandra brings some laugh out loud moments to the stage in her hot pursuit of “Ed.”
Young ingenue Lorraine, Sylvia’s daughter, falls hopelessly in love with Dean, played by familiar NFCT talent Patrick O’Brien. The pair are the star-crossed lovers; he’s the mayor’s son, from the “right” side of the tracks; she’s born on the wrong side and both mothers are hellbent on keeping the young lovers apart.
Katie Lemmen, as Lorraine, simply shines with innocence and a dash of daring as she reaches out her hand to love, realizing “It’s Now or Never.” O’Brien, who’s literally grown up on North Fork stages, is an actor to watch — his future is clearly destined for the stage. No role is too small; O’Brien brings his full game to every character, infusing his work with intensity, talent, and a winning presence that captivates his audiences.
Sean Mannix plays Dennis, a young man hopelessly smitten with Natalie, who’ll do just about anything to catch her eye and win her heart. His “It Hurts Me” reveals a deep well of emotion that’s offset by his hilarious comedic moments.
Bridgett Comiskey’s a delight as Mayor Matilda Hyde; her devoted, silent Sheriff Earl, played to perfection by Connor Vacariello, proves that sometimes less is truly more; he’s a fine young actor with spot-on skills.
Peter Peterson and Eric Hughes, also familiar talents in the Youth on Stage series, are always crowd pleasers, as is Pria Daniya as Henrietta. The ensemble performs seamlessly and brings amazing vocal talent to the group numbers, infusing the theater with raw energy as they take to the aisles, dancing and raising the roof with their soaring interpretation of the score.
Music director Katelyn Keating deserves a nod for infusing the score, which ranges from sultry blues, poignant ballads, and good old rock and roll, with an energy unlike anything seen before on a North Fork stage.
Choreographer Marquez also puts forth some impeccable numbers that showcase the best of what this talented cast has to offer.
From “Jailhouse Rock” to “Don’t Be Cruel” the string of hits keeps coming, with a cast so engaging audiences find themselves wanting the show to go on forever. It’s a show with everything — a rocking score, plot twists galore, riveting acting and rollicking humor. But most of all, it’s about the power of love — just like every chart-topping single Elvis Presley ever performed.
A perfect homage to the King, 38 years after we said good-bye.
Show times include tonight at 8 p.m. and tomorrow at 2:30 p.m., as well as July 30, 31, Aug. 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9. All shows are at 8 p.m., except for Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at 631-298-NFCT or www.nfct.com.
Student rush tickets may be purchased for $15 at the box office beginning 10 minutes before each performance. The tickets are subject to availability and cannot be reserved ahead of time.
The North Fork Community Theatre is located at 12700 Sound Ave in Mattituck.
