The Advertiser: "It is MBM on steroids with its vast and enthusiastically hard-working cast. A merry and utterly concocted romp through Elvis nostalgia, peppered with 25 favourite old songs. This is a big, big show very ambitious indeed, with masses of costume changes, scene changes and well-disciplined dance routines!"

Sunday Mail: "Matt Byrne has put together a small army of actors, musicians and crew to bring Joe DiPietro's feelgood musical to South Australian audiences."

Messenger Newspapers: "The cast is energetic ... the 20-plus Elvis numbers had the crowd clapping along .. it was a lot of fun!"

GLAM Magazine: "Joe DiPietro’s musical is a merry romp, infused with some ideas loosely taken from Shakespeare’s plays. There are over two dozen numbers ranging from ballads to good old rock ‘n’ roll, all of which you will know. Musical Director, Mike Pitman has put together a very solid band who are positioned at the rear of the stage. The costuming, by Anne Humphries, is great and Sue Pole’s choreography suits the period beautifully, Matt Byrne’s comic book set looks good and there is plenty of enthusiasm and energy."

Press Release

Elvis style musical to get SA All Shook Up

The music of Elvis with the story of Chad as Shakespeare goes rock’n’roll

Matt Byrne Media will get South Australia All Shook Up with a rock’n’roll musical that features the comic style of William Shakespeare and the greatest hits of Elvis Presley.

The show will play the Arts Theatre from July 7 to 17, Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31.

The fabulous 50s style musical features the story of roustabout Chad who rides into a sleepy mid-West American country town, touches a broken down jukebox and it comes to life … so does the town.

Producer/Director Matt Byrne said All Shook Up was “a very funny, hip-shaking night of Elvis inspired dynamite.”

“Writer Joe DiPietro had adapted the script of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and fitted in more than 20 mega hits from the Elvis Presley songbook,” Byrne said.

“It’s a terrific script with wonderful colourful characters that could have stepped straight out of an Elvis movie with the wit and mistaken identities of a Shakespeare comedy.

“Chad meets town mechanic Natalie who dreams of hitting the opening highway in white leather jacket, finds a sidekick in Dennis and falls for the town cougar Sandra, as he turns the town on its ear!”

The Elvis hits keep coming with everything from Blue Suede Shoes, It’s Now Or Never, Follow That Dream, Fools Fall In Love, Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel, to even his latest hit A Little Less Conversation.

Musical Director Mike Pitman will lead the onstage band on guitar and Sue Pole will choreograph the big cast in a mass of hip-swivelling production numbers to ensure there’s a Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On!

The show will star charismatic newcomer Gavin Cianci as roustabout Chad, Melanie Smith as nifty Natalie who creates a male alter ego called Ed to get Chad’s attention, Gareth Wilkes as Chad’s nerdy sidekick Dennis and Heidi-Rae Abbey as town cougar museum manager Sandra.

Maggie Wood will play big-hearted honky tonk owner Sylvia, exciting new talent Rebecca Plummer will be her restless daughter Lorraine, with Dominic Hodges as Lorraine’s military school beau Dean.

Russell Ford will play Natalie’s widowed father Jim, Chris Bussey will stomp up a storm as the bombastic town Mayor Matilda and Byrne will hardly fire a shot as Matlida’s speechless love interest Sheriff Earl.

All Shook Up will play the Arts Theatre from July 7-10 & 13-17 at 8 p.m. and July 10 & 17 at 2 p.m., Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 at 8 p.m. & July 24 at 2 p.m., and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Adults are $30.00, Concession $25 and Group Price are $28 and $22 for 10 or more. Bookings are available on 8262 4906, BASS or VenueTix or www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au Ring 85 86 1800 for Renmark tickets.

MBM to shake up SA with Elvis musical

The music of Elvis with the story of Chad as Shakespeare goes rock’n’roll

Matt Byrne Media will get South Australia All Shook Up with a rock’n’roll musical that features the comic style of William Shakespeare and the greatest hits of Elvis Presley.

The show will play the Arts Theatre from July 7 to 17, Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31.

The fabulous 50s style musical features the story of roustabout Chad who rides into a sleepy mid-West American country town, touches a jukebox and brings the place to life.

Producer/Director Matt Byrne said All Shook Up was “a very funny, hip-shaking night of Elvis dynamite.”

“Writer Joe DiPietro had adapted the script of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and fitted in more than 20 mega hits from the Elvis Presley songbook,” Byrne said.

“It’s a terrific script with wonderful colourful characters that could have stepped straight out of an Elvis movie with the wit and mistaken identities of a Shakespeare comedy.

“Chad meets town mechanic Natalie who dreams of hitting the opening highway in white leather jacket, finds a sidekick in Dennis and falls for the town cougar Sandra, as he turns the town on its ear!”

The Elvis hits keep coming with everything from Blue Suede Shoes, It’s Now Or Never, Follow That Dream, Fools Fall In Love, Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel, to even his latest hit A Little Less Conversation.

Musical Director Mike Pitman will lead the onstage band on guitar and Sue Pole will choreograph the big cast in a mass of hip-swivelling production numbers to ensure there’s a Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On!

The show will star handsome newcomer Gavin Cianci as roustabout Chad, Mel Smith as nifty Natalie who creates a male alter ego called Ed to get Chad’s attention, Gareth Wilkes as the nerdy Dennis and Heidi-Rae Abbey as ice cool museum manager Sandra.

Maggie Wood will play world-weary honky tonk owner Sylvia, Rebecca Plummer will play her restless daughter Lorraine and Domenic Hodges is Lorraine’s military school beau Dean.

Russell Ford will play Natalie’s father Jim, Paula Cooney will stomp up a storm as the bombastic town Mayor Matilda and Byrne will hardly fire a shot as nearly speechless Sheriff Earl.

All Shook Up will play the Arts Theatre from July 7-10 & 13-17 at 8 p.m. and July 10 & 17 at 2 p.m., Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 at 8 p.m. & July 24 at 2 p.m., and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Adults are $30.00, Concession $25 and Group Price are $28 and $22 for 10 or more. Bookings are available on 8262 4906, BASS or VenueTix or www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au Ring 85 86 1800 for Renmark.

The Season is:

Arts Theatre July 7-17
Elizabeth's Shedley Theatre 22-24
Chaffey Theatre July 31

If Elvis auditioned for this show he'd get the lead, but the lead role is called Chad, and we need someone with real rock'n'roll charisma.

Call Matt on 041 933 5966 for details or email mbm@adelaide.on.net