Break out your peddle pushers and poodle skirts because the Plaza Theatre opens the 1950s-themed musical “All Shook Up.” The show features more than 20 songs made famous by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
Set in small-town middle America, the play follows a young roustabout named Chad and the trouble he stirs up and the young female hearts he sets to fluttering when he rolls into town on his motorcycle.
The lead is ably carried out by young Seth Cunningham, who plays Chad as a cross between a strutting, sexy young Elvis and the slow-burning cool of Henry Winkler’s Fonzie from “Happy Days.” Cunningham has the voice and swivel hips necessary to pull off the role with panache.
The young femme fatale for the evening is Daron Cockerell. Her portrayal of Natalie is charming and touching. Cockerell has a voice that could project without amplification in a large hall, but she has such control that it is never overwhelming.
A favorite Elvis song is likely to be heard before the night is over. The music is cleverly intertwined into the dialogue and story line. Unlike some other musicals, the original scores in this show fit tightly.
As has become a Plaza tradition, the stage is packed with dozens of dancers during the large production numbers. Space is at a premium as young dancers twist and shout their way through the performance. Choreographer Michael Sylvester again presents stunning numbers, and the young featured and ensemble dancers are deserving of applause as well.
Highlights from the evening include Cunningham, Milette Siler, Joey Giesel and Cockerell shaking it to “Teddy Bear/Hound Dog” and the entire ensemble is superb in their rendition of “That’s All Right.”
The real scene stealer in the cast is Giesel’s portrayal of the nerdy sidekick Dennis. Giesel’s performance is warm, hilarious and touching. He has a strong voice, sharp comic wit, impeccable timing and even plays a fairly mean electric guitar. His rendition of ‘It Hurts Me’ early in the second act is worth twice the price of admission.
Cherie Robinson is well cast as the prudish Mayor Matilda Hyde and plays well off J. Aaron Lett’s strong, silent Sherriff Earl. Few could ring more humor out of Sherriff Earl’s character than the rubber faced Lett. Jay Lewis plays the lovelorn and tender hearted Jim Haller with a quite, gentle grace. Siler plays siren Miss Sandra with sizzle and spice.
You don’t have to be an Elvis fan to enjoy “All Shook Up.” The story is fun and energetic. The performances are sharp and the entire experience is toe-tappingly delightful. Slip on your blue suede shoes, hop in your Chevy and enjoy the show.
Performances of “All Shook Up” run through July 31. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, with two performances Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For information, call 817-202-0600 or visit www.plaza-theatre.com.
Local News
Related Photos
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Seth Cunningham and cast reproduce a number of Elvis Presley hits, including a “superb” rendition of “That’s All Right.” Ginny Rodgers/Special to the Times-Review
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Daron Cockerell is charming in her role as Natalie in “All Shook Up.” Ginny Rodgers/Special to the Times-Review
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Chad, the lead role played by Seth Cunningham, turns some heads as a young roustabout in middle America. Ginny Rodgers/Special to the Times-Review
Discussion
King of Rock and Roll shakes things up at the Plaza Theatre
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
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Never forgotten
