The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, recently received an astounding tribute in the halls of Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT). Starting on Jan. 7, actors from MBT and Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance (SMTD) collaborated to bring this expansive production — “All Shook Up” — to life, as the nearly 30 song musical wowed audience members from near and far. 

The all-Elvis jukebox musical with the plot of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” made for an awe-filled, nostalgic and hilarious evening. Set in a small town, Chad (Nick Cortazzo, MBT), a leather-jacketed outsider who captivates almost every girl’s attention, brings thrill to the up-tight community. His guitar, motorcycle and flirtatious manner begin stirring things up really quick.

Running until Feb. 1, the show features Elvis classics like “A Little Less Conversation,” “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” 

The opening number perfectly captured one of the songs and scenes that launched The King to immediate stardom. Cortazzo had charisma that was nothing short of extraordinary. The lighting, suave choreography and ensemble that set the stage perfectly left attendees astounded.

The gyrating pelvis of a young man in the 1950s, libido-energized teenagers, yearning for love and forbidden love were all more than present throughout the entirety of the performance. Highlighted prominently were the social norms that remained in this post-World War II society: racial segregation, discrimination and conservative values that pressured teens especially to conform to the traditional norms that once defined a society.

When Chad enters town, he quickly becomes every teenage girl’s fantasy, but others ridicule him for his “wild” nature. Natalie Haller (Mirabella Ziegler, OU SMTD) becomes infatuated with the man who doesn’t want her back, but thankfully for the audience, it made for many breathtaking vocal moments.

The character development and vocal tone that Ziegler possesses is astonishing. As she switches from ballads to rock ‘n’ roll, the emotional weight that her character experienced penetrated right through to the minds of the audience.

Mentioning that the show was a thrill to perform in, Ziegler noticed that attendees felt the same.

“An audience member said to me that it was all new arrangements of his [Elvis] songs, but all old memories,” Ziegler said. “And I found that to be so beautiful; it is just a show based on love. I think everyone who has seen it so far has just left the theater radiating, and I hope that everyone who comes through those doors feels the same.”

The ensemble was decked out in swing and circle skirts in purple, yellow and blue. All of the men were spotted in nothing less than a button-up shirt and slacks. An old-school flair was also exemplified on set through the town square’s rigidity.

The stage presence and demeanor of Miss Sandra (Kassandra Aguilar-Haddock) switched strongly from alluring to incredibly comical. At one point in the second act, she believes she has found her supposed love, and the audience was cracking up intensely over the strange looking match.

Love is invigorating, comforting, crazy, tough, overwhelming, inspiring and everything in between. “All Shook Up” does not just honor Elvis’ legacy, but it depicts the many stages and situations that love has to offer — even when we may least expect it.