How's this for an unlikely combination: a story based upon a Shakespearean comedy with a score taken from the Elvis Presley songbook. A little bit "Grease," a few steps from "Footloose," a cool blast of "Hairspray" and a score as rockin' as "Buddy," this fun—albeit lightweight—musical is an infectious delight for family audiences.
Set in an unnamed, ultra-conservative Midwestern town during the summer of 1955, the story revolves around a hunky roustabout named Chad who stops to have his motorcycle repaired. The local grease monkey is Natalie, a tomboy who falls head-over-heels for the mysterious stranger. But it seems Chad has a curious effect upon everything in town. Under his spell, everyone begins to fall in love with everyone else, regardless of race, age or gender. Rock 'n' roll music and dancing, banned for years by the uptight mayor, suddenly return to infuse the town with all the joy and romance that had been missing for so long. Carnival lights that hadn't worked since forever suddenly spring to life again. And like the scene out of "The Wizard of Oz" where the movie suddenly turns technicolor, the townspeople's drab costumes magically give way to a rainbow of hues.
The show uses 24 Elvis Presley favorites cleverly, often injecting them suddenly into the dialogue as questions, responses and even as inner monologues for the characters, and the songs are made even more exciting when sung by this exceptionally talented cast.
Tyler Hanes, who totally inhabits the role of Chad, is a triple threat with many Broadway, regional and touring theater credits under his belt. Whether hitting all the right notes with favorites like "Burning Love," "Jailhouse Rock," "C'mon Everybody" or the title song, this guy's all velvet voice and swiveling hips, dressed in black leather with his signature blue suede shoes. And when the guy lets loose and dances, watch out: He becomes a force of nature not easily matched.
Jessie Mueller is perfect as the motorcycle mechanic who falls in love with Chad. She nicely plays both the nervous ingenue and the tomboy disguised as a guy in order to win Chad's heart as a friend before making her romantic moves in "One Night With You." Ross Lehman is delightful as her widowed father who rediscovers love and a bit of his lost youth under Chad’s magic spell.
Melody A. Betts all but takes over the show as Sylvia, the town's malt-shop owner, as she belts out songs like "That's All Right," "Heartbreak Hotel" and the touching "There's Always Me." As her spirited daughter Lorraine, Chasten Harmon makes a notable debut on the Marriott stage. She and the always charming and multi-talented Matt Raftery make "It's Now or Never" their own.
Another newcomer to watch is Dennis Moench as Dennis, Natalie's hilariously nerdy, lovesick paramour who is thrilled just to be Chad's sidekick. His comic timing, clear tenor voice and superb dancing skills almost steal the show. Chicago favorite Paula Scrofano provides a Polly Bergen-like take on Mayor Matilda that makes her, once again, a pleasure to watch, especially as she belts out "Devil in Disguise." And fresh from the National Tour of "Mamma Mia!", Christine Sherrill is magnificent as the uptight museum madam turned sex kitten, Miss Sandra. Her renditions of "Let Yourself Go" and "Hound Dog" are faultless.
Audiences of all ages will love this musical, whether or not they're familiar with Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" or are fans of Elvis Presley's music. Marc Robin's staging and choreography, along with his multi-talented cast, make for an evening of plain old fun.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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