ELECTRIFYING!
The verdict of audiences last weekend who were blown away by the energetic teenage performance of the hit musical “All Shook Up” at St Mary’s Youth and Community Centre in Tullamore.
The Elvis inspired musical rightly earned sustained standing ovations from star struck punters over the course of its run at the centre.
The well known Elvis airs had punters, young and old, rocking in their seats and singing and clapping along to the exuberant performances by the talented young cast.
“All Shook Up” is a jukebox musical set in the mid 1950s in a conservative Midwestern town in the United States. But, the town is transformed when a guitar-playing roustabout Chad arrives and inspires the townspeople to embrace love, freedom and rock n’roll.
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A young mechanic, Natalie, falls for Chad, but he doesn’t reciprocate her feelings.
But the resourceful Natalie disguises herself as a man to get closer to Chad and he eventually falls for her.
The musical explores themes of love, identity and societal expectations, all set against the backdrop of Elvis’ classic hits.
The entire cast excelled in acting, singing and dancing throughout the musical which featured such famous Elvis hits as “All Shook Up”, “You’re the Devil in Disguise”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Love Me Tender” and “A Little Less Conversation.”
Alex Corcoran and Conor Fitzpatrick were superb in the lead roles of Natalie and Chad and both are blessed with fine singing voices which were put to the test throughout the demanding musical.
Conor Moore and Ella Condron were also wisely cast as Jim Holler and Sylvia as were Alyssa Bennies and Lucas Burke Tracey as Lorraine and Dennis.
Conservative mayor Mathilda Hyde’s disdain for rock n’roll and all that Chad stood for was wonderfully portrayed by Liva Ter Ina Bermingham while Jamie Scott Brazil and Neil Lowbridge, playing Dean Hyde and Sheriff Earl, were perfect as upstanding citizens.
Dara Martin as the Warden, Juno Carroll as Henrietta and Albert Jolly as the Bus Driver also acquitted themselves well in their roles.
The stage set was expertly crafted and reflected what we all imagine life in the 1950s to be like. Particularly impressive was the school bus and the motorcycle beloved of teenage rebel, Chad.
Lighting played a huge role in the musical during many of the musical numbers and younger members of the audience were in awe at the magical impressions created on the ceiling and walls of the centre at times during the production.
The audience were also brought to the centre of the production near the close when the chorus took to the floors of the hall, again to the delight of the young members of the audience.
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CAST
Natalie: Alex Corcoran; Chad: Conor Fitzpatrick; Jim Holler; Conor Moore; Sylvia: Ella Condron; Lorraine: Alyssa Bennies; Dennis: Lucas Burke Tracey; Miss Sandra; Lucy Mae Owens; Mayor Mathilda Hyde: Liva Ter Ina Bermingham; Dean Hyde: Jamie Scott Brazil; Sheriff Earl: Neil Lowbridge; Warden: Dara Martin; Henrietta: Juno Carroll; Bus Driver: Albert Jolly; Statues/ Chorus: Grace Cleary, Emel Pehlivan, Ava White, Summer Buckley, Avrit Rose Machado, Kyla Rowney and Anna Young.
Townspeople/ Chorus: Alyannah Martines, Albert Jolly, Anna Young, Annie McCann O’Brien, Aoibheann Slattery, Ava White, Avrit Rose Machado, Bobby Cully, Ciara Ralph, Dara Martin, David Og Bracken, Dianna Sikera, Ella Lloyd, Emel Pehlivan, Emma Bracken, Freya Rowney, Georgina Payne, Grace Cleary, Grace Lloyd, Hannah Prendergast, Isobelle Hayes, Jade Bergin Dwyer, Jasmine Matsushita, June Carroll, Kate Lawlor, Kayla Rowney, Kelly Shirley, Maddisson Connolly Kelly, Maeve McGrath, Migle Vasiliauskaite, Mikey McDonagh, Noah Kelly Guinan, Paige Kelly Guinan, Ruby Charles, Sarah Harney, Shauna Scully and Summer Buckley.
PRODUCTION
Co-Director: Michelle Whyte Murphy and Roxanne Lawlor; Producers: Michelle White Murphy, Roxanne Lawlor and Stephen Lawlor; Musical Director: Roxanne Lawlor; Choreographer; Michelle White Murphy; Pit Singers: Roxanne Lawlor, Ashling Kerry and Cameron Daly; Acting Coach: Dylan Coyne; Set Designer: Stephen Lawlor, Alan Bermingham, Chris Kerry and Tomas Griffin; Artist: Anna Gorbenko; Costume Department: Nora Fenlon, Pauline Lawlor, Donna Mills, Mairead Daly, Marie White and Stephen Lawlor; Lighting & Sound: Tomas Griffin and Altec Productions; Stage Manager: Stephen Lawlor; Props Design: Alicja Wrobel, Siobhan Sheehan and Justyna Pietryka; Stagehands: Chris Kerry, Siobhan Sheehan, Yevhen Serdiuk, Igor Yokovenko and Iarla Lawlor; Front of House: Alicja Wrobel, Justyna Pietryka, Siobhan Sheehan, Ava Meredith, Cameron Daly and Tomas Griffin; Social Media: Justyna Pietryka and Stephen Lawlor; Photography and Programme Design: Justyna Pietryka; Show Administrator: Marie White.
