All Shook Up at the Temple Theatre of Sanford Is a
Spirited and Joyous Romp to the Music of Elvis

Taylor Warren (center) as Chad really shakes things up on stage in All Show Up in Sanford (photo by Heather Garrity Photography)

All Shook Up is a spirited and joyous romp, combining 1950's Rock and Roll, small-town Americana and, of course, the music of Elvis Presley. It's a fun night out and a great way to finish the Temple Theatre of Sanford's 2022-23 mainstage season.

Jukebox musicals have become quite popular in the last few decades. All Shook Up, which was created by Joe DiPietro in 2004, is inspired by, and features the songs of, Elvis Aron Presley (1935-77). This show reminds me a bit of Mamma Mia!, in that it uses the music, not to tell a story, but to support story.

All Shook Up is set in an unnamed, small Midwest town over 24 hours on a summer day in 1955. Things are about to change when a mysterious, motorcycle-riding, guitar-playing young man named Chad rolls into town.

Although Chad, as played by Taylor Warren, is a bit reminiscent of Elvis, the show has nothing to do with the actual Elvis. Rather, All Shook Up uses the songs of Elvis very cleverly, to tell a madcap story of love and longing through a lot of wacky misinterpretations of many characters' intentions. The outcome is steady laughter and joy.

The musical staging of Temple Theatre producing artistic director Peggy Taphorn could be described as Big. By Big, I mean that every inch of the stage is used by a large and talented ensemble to back up many of the numbers with movement.

Musical director Gavan Pamer does double duty as choreographer, and there was no shortage of exuberant dancing here. Between the production numbers and the backing dances, no cast members went home needing steps on their Fitbits.

That's All Right, Mama: Caitlin Dobbins (center) as Lorraine and Cerina Johnson (right) as Sylvia (photo by Heather Garrity Photography)

The featured performers were all wonderful and included Ravenne Pantoja (Natalie Haller/Ed), Patrick Holt (Dennis), Cerina E. Johnson (Sylvia), Caitlin Dobbins (Lorraine), Shawn Heifert (Jim Haller), Sarah Jenkins (Mayor Matilda Hyde), Seth Hoyle (Dean Hyde), and Dana Cullinane (Sandra). Ravenne Pantoja is particularly memorable as both the lovestruck girl, Natalie, and her male alter ego Ed. It sounds more complicated than it is, but it is completely hilarious nonetheless.

Another special mention is warranted for both Ravenne Pantoja and Patrick Holt. Temple Theatre has an incredible performance school for children, and Ravenne and Patrick were both original members of the Temple Teen Ensemble. Both have been regular contributors to this amazing theater as it approaches its 100th birthday in 2025.

The show's lighting (by David Castaneda) and sound (by Jacob Barton) are solid. The costumes (by Marie Iatauro) are just so much fun. I imagine that the budget for blue-suede shoes was considerable. It was all wonderfully held together by production manager Debbie Raulerson.

If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting the Temple Theatre of Sanford, you are missing a great opportunity to see great shows, with great talent, in a beautiful and comfortable intimate theater. There are just under 350 seats, so you can see everything from anywhere in the house. Their shows are also an incredible bargain for under $30 for a seat.

Sanford is a lovely small town within an easy 40-minute drive from anywhere in the Triangle. All Shook Up is a good reason to add the Temple Theatre of Sanford to your entertainment itinerary this month.

The Warden threw a party in the (Lee) County Jail, starring Taylor Warren (center) as Chad (photo by Heather Garrity Photography)

Joe DiPietro's ALL SHOOK UP (In Person at 2 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14-16, 20-23, and 27-30)), featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, directed by Peggy Taphorn, choreographed by musical director Gavan Pamer, and starring Taylor Warren as Chad, Ravenne Pantoja as Natalie Haller/Ed, Shawn Heifert as Jim Haller, Cerina E. Johnson as Sylvia, Caitlin Dobbins as Lorraine, Patrick Holt as Dennis, Dana Cullinane as Sandra, Sarah Jenkins as Mayor Matilda Hyde, Seth Hoyle as Dean Hyde, and Taylor Hambrick as Sherrif Earl, plus an Ensemble that includes Claudia Austin, Luis Beltran, Mark Davio, Josiah Garrison, Julia Heifert, Seana Laverentz, Paris Parker, dance captain Sydney Pope, Arya Scarlet, dance captain Colton Steele, Jude Stumpf, Hayden Sullivan, Jordan Watson, and Kelsey Wilson and Swings that include Ephraim Boyte (Temple Theatre of Sanford). VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/user/templetheatrenc. THE PRESENTER/VENUE: http://templeshows.com/, https://www.facebook.com/TempleTheatreNC, https://www.instagram.com/TempleTheatreNC/, https://twitter.com/TempleTheatreNC/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Theatre_(Sanford,_North_Carolina), and https://www.youtube.com/user/templetheatrenc. 2022-23 MAIN-STAGE SEASON: http://templeshows.com/#mainstage. DIRECTIONS: http://templeshows.com/contact. COVID-19 GUIDELINES: http://templeshows.com/tickets/temple-theatre-covid-guidelines. ALL SHOOK UP (2005 Broadway Jukebox Musical): https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/all-shook-up-383113 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Shook_Up_(musical). Joe DiPIETRO (Teaneck, NJ-born playwright and lyricist): https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/joe-dipietro-383115, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2628394/, https://www.facebook.com/joe.dipietro.39, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_DiPietro. NOTE: All shows are wheelchair accessible, and there is a hearing-loop system is available for all devices with T-coil wireless receivers. TICKETS: $32 ($17 students and $29 active-duty military personnel and Lee County educators), plus taxes and fees, except $27 per person for groups of 10 or more. Click here to buy tickets. GROUP RATES (10+ tickets): http://templeshows.com/tickets#id-928. INFORMATION: 919-774-4155 or boxoffice@templeshows.org. PLEASE DONATE TO: Temple Theatre of Sanford.

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