Elvis Was in the Building at Pearl River High School’s “All Shook Up”

BY GEORGE J. DACRE

Yes he was!!

As a cast of over 80 Pearl River High School seniors performed Thursday evening in the musical “All Shook Up,” a show inspired by the songs of Elvis Presley. Listening and watching the impressive cast, you could get the feeling of the young Elvis who changed the role of music in America and the world.

The group’s inspired presentations of Elvis’s solid rock, love songs, inspirational and gospel songs and much, much more were captured with impressing finesse. It was as well as a troupe of high school seniors born long after Elvis’s death could possibly perform.

The next stop for some of these young stars should be Nashville.

The cast was led by Kyle Catalanotto as Chad, Kelly Campbell as Natalie, Julia O’Sullivan as Miss Sandra, Patrick Doyle as Dennis, Jack Hogan as Dean and Krista Marinelli as Sylia. The orchestra featuring Scott Louis on keyboard and as pit leader was inspired.

Starting with “Jailhouse Rock” with Chad and the Inmates and moving through “Heartbreak Hotel,” “One Night With You,” “That’s All Right, Teddy Bear,” “Hound Dog” and many, many more, the pretending Presleys hit all the notes.

“All Shook Up” used Elvis music to build a story of young love and used the problems described in to move the storyline along. It is an effective way of using the music and it was done well at Thursday’s show. Most importantly, the audience just loved it.

The staging, sets and choreography, the singing by the principals and the cast of young and beautiful Pearl River High School students brought the production to life. The director Thomas Hoetzel and Assistant Director Beth Weinstein had their cast well tuned and everything went smoothly. Choreographer Beth Carter got great performances from all, as did Music Director Brian Evans. It was performed last Friday and Saturday.

“I rate “All Shook Up” Four Out Of Four Stars!!!!