Cast and dates are announced for musical “All Shook Up”

The Sheboygan Theatre Company announces the cast and crew for “All Shook Up,” the opening production of the 76th season, which is sponsored by The Stefanie H. Weill Charitable Fund and Acuity for the Arts.

For three-quarters of a century the organization has been presenting live entertainment to the Sheboygan area while providing opportunities for local people to participate in the theatrical arts. A big musical inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, “All Shook Up” continues that trend.

Playwright Joe DiPietro has taken two dozen of the biggest hits of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and woven them into a fantastic, mythical story of love and romance.

When a guitar-playing, motorcycle-riding roustabout blows into a 1950s Midwestern town, not only does he shake things up, but he sets in motion a series of love entanglements that has everyone falling all over one another. Though character A loves character B, he or she in turn likes character C, who is head over heels about character D. A domino-like series of events leads to all sorts of misperceptions, mistaken identities and comic situations. But everything is sorted out to the music of some of the greatest Rock and Roll songs ever written.

“If you want to see more than two dozen local people – your friends, neighbors, colleagues, students, teachers, etc. – sing and dance their hearts out for more than two hours,” said Director of Theatre Ralph Maffongelli, “then you don’t want to miss All Shook Up.”

In the lead role of Chad, the Elvis Presley-like character who shakes up the town, is newcomer David Colton, while another newcomer, Molly Thiesenhusen, plays opposite him as Natalie, a female mechanic who falls madly in love with him. Kevin M. Lampe (last seen as Colonel Mustard in “Clue: The Musical”) plays widower Jim Haller, Natalie’s lonely father. Owner of the local bar is Sylvia, played by Michelle Bestul (the Detective in “Clue”) while Mackenzie Birkey, (last seen in “Miracle on 34th Street”) is her daughter Lorraine. Holland White (George in last season’s “Our Town”) plays her love interest, Dean.

Newcomer Frank Weidner portrays Dennis, who worships Natalie, while Sharon Quinn (Lady Thiang last year in “The King and I”) plays Miss Sandra, the caretaker of the museum. Susan Chambers Johnson (who will be remembered as Doris in “Miracle on 34th Street”) is Matilda Hyde, the town’s very conservative mayor and Dean’s mother, while Bill Coldren (last seen on July Fourth in “HUH?”) is Earl, the town sheriff.

The very busy chorus includes Ariannah Albrecht, Atheana Albrecht, Jon Cook, Chris Fontaine, Veronica Hilke, Hilary Mayer, Katherine Nye and Elizabeth Plotka.

Danielle Rammer, Zoe Schroeder, Kyle Schwanke, Hope White, Alexandria Wickland, Heidi Weinaug, Brian Winker, Cassie Ziegelbauer and Tera Ziegelbauer complete the singing and dancing ensemble.

Directed by Ralph Maffongelli, “All Shook Up” features musical direction by Janice Westphal and choreography by Veronica Hilke and Heidi Weinaug. Dustin L. Uhl, the staff technical director/designer, is designing the sets and Rick Klein the lights. Costume designs are by Joyce Nery and make-up designs by Cathy Perronne, while Dave Steinmeyer is the sound designer. Lisa Masbruch and Debra Stache are the property masters and Melissa O’Connell the paint master. Stage manager for the production is Katy Ries.

Sponsored by Wilson Mutual Insurance Company, “All Shook Up” will open Friday, Sept. 25. Evening performances will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26, and Wednesday-Saturday, Sept. 30-Oct 3. A matinee performance will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. There will be no performances on Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 28-29.

The production will be presented at the Leslie W. Johnson Theatre, 2820 Union Ave., Sheboygan.

Tickets are available at the Theatre Company office in the Community Recreation Department, 607 S. Water St., or at the theatre box office 45 minutes before curtain of each performance. Season tickets guaranteeing admission for all five shows are still available. To learn more visit www.sheboygantheater company.com and then call 459-3779 to reserve tickets or for further information.