Students in the Belmont musical theatre are getting all shook up over Elvis.
The musical All Shook Up, once performed on Broadway, will now grace the stage of Isabelle Reader Theatre in Langford.
The story is set in a small, socially conservative town in the 1950s, where the mayor bans tight pants, public kissing and loud music.
When Chad, a young man on a motorcycle, rolls into town with a broken down bike, “he teaches the town to have fun again and live life again,” said Melissa Young, the show’s director and head of Belmont’s drama department.
Natalie is young mechanic in town who falls madly in love with Chad, although another man in town has his eyes on her.
“It’s a mix between Grease, Twelfth Night and Footloose,” Young said. “The story is tied together through Elvis Presley songs.”
Throughout the production, students will belt out Elivs classics such as Lover Me Tender, Hound Dog, and of course, All Shook Up.
Starring as Chad, Jesse Negraeff, 17, admits he had never heard of Elvis Presley before joining the cast.
“This show has been my introduction, I love him as of now,” Negraeff said. “I’ve watched a lot of Elvis videos now. I like how when he sings the top of his body doesn’t really move, but his bottom half is all over the place.”
“Jiggly wiggly,” adds Mack Edwards, 17, who plays Dennis, the character secretly in love with Natalie.
Edwards knows all about Presley through his aunt. “My aunt it crazy about Elvis. She has Elvis memorabilia all around her house. Stuff like records and tea sets,” Edwards said.
Joanne Lohr, 18, had listened to Presley’s music before, but now, “I’m crazy about him,” she said.
This is the first year musical theatre has been offered as a class in Belmont secondary school.
All Shook Up is at Isabelle Reader Theatre, 1026 Goldstream Ave. on May 25, 26 and 27 at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/seniors and may be purchased at the door or in advance at Belmont secondary, 3067 Jacklin Rd.
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