All Shook Up
at Albert Einstein High School

Reviewed on March 4, 2017

Lydia Gompper
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

William Shakespeare and Elvis Presley: two legendary bards, centuries apart. With the perfect combination of timeless storytelling and dance-worthy 50's rock n' roll, you can't help falling in love with Albert Einstein High School's adorable, sugar-sweet production of "All Shook Up."

Based on Shakespeare's classic gender-bending comedy "Twelfth Night," "All Shook Up" infuses an everlasting tale of love – requited and not – with the ever-popular melodies of the King. Premiering on Broadway in 2005, the jukebox musical follows a dull little Midwestern town in the 1950's as it is suddenly stirred into excitement by the arrival of Chad, a motorcycle-driving, guitar-playing ladies' man. One by one, the town's citizens find themselves falling head-over-heels in love with each other. Caught in a many-sided love polygon, the characters do what they must – from confronting their domineering parents to taking on a new identity – to find their perfect match.

The students of Albert Einstein High School have delivered a fantastically energetic, engaging production of this charming musical. With a large, dedicated ensemble and a deeply talented cast of principal performers, the show was heartwarming and infinitely "aw"-worthy – the perfect ode to true love.

Lead actress Gabbie Ballesteros gave a delightful performance as Natalie, a grease-covered mechanic who pretends to be a boy to get closer to Chad, the free-wheeling guy of her dreams. A true triple threat, Ballesteros showed off crisp, eye-catching dance moves while wowing with her powerful vocals in such musical numbers as "Fools Fall In Love." Chad himself, meanwhile, was performed with hilarious swagger by junior Samuel Intrater. Intrater executed his character's constant hip-wiggling, "cool" persona – as well as his ultimate transformation into a heartsick sweetie after finding his "Burning Love" – with the perfect dose of ridiculousness. Together, Ballesteros and Intrater shared a winning chemistry; their last kiss had the audience squealing.

Natalie and Chad weren't the show's only cute couple, however; "All Shook Up" was full of them, and full of impressive supporting performers. Camryn Cross and Dylan Kaufman, for instance, perfectly depicted innocent teenage devotion in their portrayals of Lorraine and Dean, star-crossed sweethearts whose parents forbid them to date due to the colors of their skin. Meanwhile, Lorraine's mother Sylvia was interpreted beautifully by senior Devon Blackwell. The character's gradual shift from a hardened woman to one open to love was breathtaking, as was Blackwell's warm, soulful solo number "There's Always Me." Sylvia's love interest Jim, played by Austin Patterson, made a similarly positive impression, with a gravelly character voice and the chuckle-inducing cringe worthiness of an older man trying to be young again. Finally, senior Philippos Sourvinos was endlessly endearing as Dennis, Natalie's timid, awkward best friend and secret admirer. Sourvinos's constant nervous energy was precious, and his clear, skillfully-executed vocals stood out in songs such as his heartache-ridden solo, "It Hurts Me."

The success of this production was not limited to its talented performers. The sets were simple yet engaging, with many movable pieces that depicted everything from a honky-tonk bar to a carnival. Such set pieces were consistently well-integrated into the show, even moving across the stage to represent a bus traveling down a highway. Meanwhile, choreographers Chloe Chieng and Gabbie Ballesteros deserve recognition for their numerous sharp, captivating dance numbers, which offered the perfect vehicle for some of the show's most energetic moments.

Albert Einstein High School's production of "All Shook Up" was a night of feel-good fun. Sweet and indulgent as a classic 1950's milkshake, the show left audience members with a newly reinforced faith in the power of true love.

Diana Witt
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

A vibrant antique jukebox blasts rock-and-roll hit jams, igniting a feeling of nostalgia for the 1950's. The controversial, yet innovative, musical stylings of "The King", Elvis Presley, infused rock music with flairs of romance, trademarking the 50's era. Albert Einstein High School explored Elvis' themes of rhythmic rock-and-roll and passionate love in their enthrallingly side-splitting production of All Shook Up.

All Shook Up is a 2004 musical inspired by the music of Elvis Presley. Written by Joe DiPietro, the plot of the American jukebox musical is loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. All Shook Up first premiered on Broadway in 2005 at the Palace Theater and ran for 213 performances.

Life in a small conservative 1950's Midwestern town is shaken by the arrival of leather-jacketed roustabout Chad. His enigmatic and swoon-worthy nature catches the attention of local car mechanic, Natalie. While some are shocked and dismayed by Chad's arrival, Natalie becomes infatuated with him and will go to great lengths to win him over. Chad unleashes the zeal of rock-and-roll and the spirit of true love on the sleepy little town, entangling Natalie and her friends in a complicated web of romance and mistaken identity.

Samuel Intrater portrayed the adulterous delinquent, Chad. Intrater exuded devilish charm as he channeled Elvis Presley's wickedly charismatic persona. His confident swagger was exhibited in hip-thrusting rock-and-roll musical numbers like "Jailhouse Rock." Intrater's impeccable comedic timing shone through his effortlessly hilarious performance. Gabbie Ballesteros played the tomboyish Natalie. A true triple threat, Ballesteros showcased excellence in singing, dancing, and acting. Ballesteros adopted Natalie's naive personality quirks, as she transitioned from a rough and tough car mechanic to a tenacious young lover. She displayed stunning vocal prowess in songs like "One Night with You" and oozed confidence and sass as she flawlessly executed technically challenging choreography.

Natalie's quirky best friend, Dennis, was played by Philippos Sourvinos. Sourvinos demonstrated Dennis' sweet boyish nature, as he develops secret amorous feelings for Natalie. His outstanding vocal skill was showcased in his show stopping ballad, "It Hurts Me." Devon Blackwell played the outspoken owner of the town bar, Sylvia. Over the course of the show, Blackwell melted away the hardened shell of Sylvia's impudent personality to reveal her softer, more caring side. Other praiseworthy performances included the uptight, authoritarian mayor, Matilda, played by Jordanna Peronico, and her love-struck young son, Dean, played by Dylan Kaufman. The cast was rounded out by an animated and talented ensemble, who executed exceptional harmonies in melodic numbers like "Can't Help Falling in Love."

The set featured an impressive number of set pieces, each fitting in with the 1950's style of the show. From the adorable and whimsical carnival booths to the old-fashioned honky-tonk, all the pieces were bold and bright, yet finely detailed. Scene transitions were seamlessly quick, despite the vast range of set components. The production also featured precisely stylistic student choreography which contributed to high energy musical numbers.

"You light my morning sky with burning love," crooned the happy couples at the end of the show, proving that love can be found in the most unexpected places. The cast and crew of Albert Einstein High School's All Shook Up sparked a fire for everlasting romance and thrilling rock-and-roll music in their electrifying production.

Devin Lucas
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Looking for a carefree, hilarious, lighthearted night out? Well, come on down to Albert Einstein High School and get "All Shook Up" at this bluesy and raucous musical about mix-ups, mayhem, and love above all!

Based on the Shakespearean classic "Twelfth Night" and the hit music of Elvis Presley, with a book written by Joe DiPietro, this hip-swiveling jukebox musical tells the story of Chad, a rollicking roustabout who arrives in a dreary town to shake things up. Upon his arrival, he shows the people the power of love and music, and, soon enough, love, dancing, and music abound. The show made a brief appearance on Broadway, opening in March of 2005 and closing six months later in September, but it has appeared in regional, college, and school theatres all over the US, as well as in the UK in a June 2015 tour.

With intense choreography, difficult vocals that stray from the traditional musical theatre sound, and a swirling story line with multiple characters and relationships, there is no doubt that this show is quite the beast to tackle. The students at Einstein, however, appeared undaunted, balancing all these while keeping character alive and doing justice to an intentionally corny but lovable script.

A clear MVP in this production was found in Gabbie Ballesteros, who portrayed the character of Natalie, a young mechanic who falls for Chad, with comedy, heart, and grace. Her clear and impressive vocals shone in tandem with her energetic and professional dancing, and she was committed to character throughout, even when not speaking. Alongside her, Samuel Intrater kept the audience cracking up with his honest and hilarious portrayal of Chad, a self-proclaimed "guitar-playin' roustabout". His comedic timing was consistently excellent, and his voice was well-suited for the style of music. Together, Ballesteros and Intrater played off each other and others excellently to make their characters believable, relatable, and comedic.

Other notable performances came from actors such as Philippos Sourvinos and Tom Fulton. Sourvinos, who played the lovable Dennis, Natalie's best friend (and secret, unrequited admirer), portrayed the role with humor, wit, and sympathy, often garnering "awwws" from the audience with his sweet voice and lovable demeanor. Fulton, while not having many lines in his role, kept the audience laughing with his fantastic physical comedy and commitment to character, which made his few lines at the end all the more hilarious and satisfying.

Although the show was extremely strong overall, there were a few weaknesses, that, while not uncommon for high school shows, were notable. Mic issues throughout made it hard to follow some songs and scenes, and the lack of specific lighting in group scenes sometimes made it hard to follow the speakers. The group numbers, while fantastically choreographed and performed, sometimes lacked tight formations and engaged facial expressions from the ensemble, which had the tendency to bring down the energy from otherwise fantastic numbers. Lastly, although the sets were impressively versatile, the lack of some sort of base set made the overall appearance a bit less clean, and, without a base set, such a large stage had the tendency to dwarf actors.

That said, however, this show's strengths greatly outweighed any weaknesses, and it was a wonderful and impressive show. With vivid colors, jaunty music, and energetic dancing, this show was truly done justice, and I can surely say that I was certainly "All Shook Up".

Ben Beriss
Montgomery Blair High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

When guitar playin' roustabout Chad comes to a small town more conservative than the one Ren McCormack moves to, he shakes it up with his funny, energetic brand of rock'n'roll. With their production of All Shook Up, Einstein High School does the same to the audience.

All Shook Up is a jukebox musical which features the music of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, It follows the crisscrossing love stories of various residents of a dreary Midwest town in which daily life is disrupted by the leather wearing, motorbike riding, pelvis gyrating Chad, who reminds them of the pleasures of love and music.

The production is anchored on Elvis' show-stoppers, which Einstein pulls off with considerable aplomb and an energy which lifts their impressive performances to the raised roof. The King's music is paid suitable homage by their skilled vocalists and inspired ensemble dance moves. The energy generated from these songs rarely dips, as the actors manage to reach the audience's heart in both touching and hilarious ways.

The show revolves around Samuel Intrater's capable performance as the rebellious Elvis look-alike Chad, which combines impressive singing with truly believable acting. He manages to portray Chad's reluctant journey from cool and unattached to passionately loving while maintaining a consistently impressive sense of humor. Gabbie Ballesteros as his counterpart, Natalie, is similarly impressive; her singing and dancing is the highlight of several impressive show-stoppers, such as "Love Me Tender" and both renditions of "Follow that Dream." Her portrayal of the directionless and idealistic would-be roustabout is heartbreakingly true to the experience of confused teenagers everywhere. That connection is shared by Philippos Sourvinos as Natalie's friend Dennis, whose incredible voice and bashful acting painted a beautiful portrait of a hopelessly shy romantic who just wants love.

They are supported by a full cast of equally impressive performers. Devon Blackwell as Natalie's mother Sylvia is subtly hilarious as she attempts to overcome her natural sarcasm to pursue love and delivers one of the strongest and most emotional vocal performances of the show with "There's Always Me." Tom Fulton as Earl, the town sheriff, is a comic gem, using exaggerated switches in the mood of his gestures to both crack up the audience and show his desperate desire to win the love of Mayor Matilda, played by Jordanna Peronico. The ensemble is similarly impressive; despite small mishaps with choreography, they provide the essential backdrop of a town swept up in a mad tide of dancing and music with impressively organized dancing. Notable among them are Elise Van Leer as Randy Female Towns person and Ella Kirkendall as Fainting Customer, but they all managed the difficult task of portraying unique stories while not upstaging the main narrative.

These performances were elevated by excellent sets and light design. The set was confidently campy, serving its function of cementing the play's setting of 1950s Midwest and setting a goofy tone which allowed the show's jokes to shine. Shout out to the moving telephone poles as the most creative way to show movement this critic has even seen. The light design was simply arranged around the needs of the show, but was consistently on-point, highlighting the action and subtly enhancing the mood of every scene. This effect was itself enhanced by the superb Bella Whiting, who as lighting manager made sure the lights ran as smoothly as in a professional production.

Einstein has embraced the show and created a production which manages to be truly hilarious while still showing the power of love to overcome all barriers.