Sunday, Apr 19, 2015
A hip-swiveling musical fantasy based on the music of Elvis Presley and Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night."
Rider University Musical Theatre will present high-energy musical All Shook Up Wednesday, April 22 through Sunday, April 26 in the Bart Luedeke Center Theater on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. The preview performance is on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m., and performances are Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday April 25 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Robin Lewis is the director and choreographer, and Nathan Hurwitz is the musical director.
Set in 1955 in a “square little town in a square little state,” All Shook Up is about a guitar-playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, the story, written by Joe DiPietro, is based on William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This hip-swiveling, lip-curling musical fantasy features such classics as Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, Burning Love and Don’t Be Cruel.
Robin Lewis appeared in the Broadway productions of Fosse, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden and the first National Tours of Victor/Victoria and The Producers. His other national touring credits includes A Chorus Line, Hello, Dolly!, Beauty and the Beast and special performances at The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Mr. Lewis' choreographic work includes the Richard Linklater film BERNIE starring Shirley MacLaine and Jack Black. Recently he directed Broadway/MTV's reality star Bailey Hanks in Legally Blonde. His other recent directing/choreography credits include Evita, Rent, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hairspray, Porgy and Bess, The Music Man, Carousel, Chicago, All Shook Up and The Wild Party.
Nathan Hurwitz has been a director and musical director for more than 30 years. As a musical director and conductor, his career spans from Broadway to regional theatres to the concert halls of the United States and Europe. His Broadway credits include Blood Brothers, Dream and Phantom of the Opera. He has performed with the international tours of Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber, while his United States tours include Blood Brothers, Funny Girl, The Sound of Music, Company, The Who's ‘Tommy, Annie, Leader of the Pack and the 25th Anniversary all-star Nunsense tour. Dr. Hurwitz has directed regionally, and at colleges and universities across the country, including most recently Lucky Stiff and The World Goes Round for Syracuse University. A member of Actor’s Equity as well as the American Federation of Musicians, Mr. Hurwitz, has taught acting and coached voice for many years in private practice as well as at New York University, HB Studios, Point Park College, the University of Pittsburgh, Northwestern State University of Louisiana and Syracuse University.
Rider University Musical Theatre productions features students enrolled in the University’s highly regarded Musical Theatre program, as well as other talented students selected by audition. Graduates of the program are appearing on Broadway, in national touring productions and in major regional theaters. Its productions offer the community the opportunity to see aspiring actors in the early stages of their careers.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door, through the box office at 609-896-7775 or online at www.rider.edu/arts. General admission preview tickets are $9 and are only available at the door. For more information, visit rider.edu/arts.
Caption: Taylor Jackson, Caysi Dennis, Colby Dezelick, Allie Patton appear in Rider University’s production of the musical All Shook Up April 22 – 26 on Rider’s campus in Lawrenceville. Featuring some of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits, the high-energy show is based on Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night. Learn more or order tickets at www.rider.edu/arts or call 609-896-7775.
