By Laura Acuff, Opinion Editor
The Elvis-themed 2008 Homecoming Musical, All Shook Up, opens Friday at 8 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. Tickets range from $5 to $18 for the opening night performance and successive performances, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
The musical features 24 Elvis Presley songs, creating the soundtrack for the story of a motorcycle-riding, guitar-playing roustabout who romances a small-town girl with big dreams.
Seth Bazacas, senior musical theatre major from Ocean City, N.J., plays “Dennis” in the musical, a character Bazacas described as lovable, goofy and a “typical nice guy who ends up finishing last.” Bazacas said he hopes the comedy of the production, which he compared to comedy in shows like Little Shop
of Horrors, will appeal to the student body. “It’s funny,” Bazacas said. “It is just a blast. The whole show is high energy the whole time. It’s tongue-in-cheek, corny humor the whole time. It’s Elvis set more contemporary.”
Production director Adam Hester, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre, said All Shook Up falls into the category of “jukebox musicals,” which strives to put stories to an artist’s songs. Another example of a jukebox musical is Mama Mia, a well-known Broadway play and recent movie.
While some jukebox musicals struggle to find appropriate context for song numbers, Hester said All Shook Up boasts an impressively appropriate plotline while still maintaining comedy.
“To me the storyline, albeit it’s campy, and it’s meant to be lighthearted and fun and kind of tongue-in-cheek, it is very good,” Hester said. “Every song really finds its appropriate place.”
With several returning seniors claiming experience from leading roles in last year’s Homecoming Musical, Aida, Hester said this year’s cast already is familiar with many of the technical aspects of working in the Civic Center, including the physical adjustments of performing in a larger venue and using microphones.
Bazacas said the show also affords roles to all of this year’s senior musical theatre majors.
“It’s almost like the show was picked out perfectly for our senior class,” Bazacas said.
While Hester’s daughter, Jenavene Hester, plays a prominent female role in the musical, Hester said he has heard no suggestion of nepotism, especially in light of the experience Jenavene gained in New York this summer, working for a professional theatre company.
“I think Jenavene has probably proven her own skill set in a way that I think people understand,” Hester said. “I think she’s talented in her own right, and she certainly does her work. I think she’s well-respected among the students and well-liked. I don’t think that’s an issue. Everyone seems to be really supportive of each other.”
Hester said this year’s seniors have grown into a closely bonded group, all of whom understand the theatre process.
In addition to benefiting ACU financially and the students with opportunities, Bazacas said the Homecoming Musical reflects positively on the work ethic and professionalism of students while simultaneously allowing a unique insight into the mutual support of community.
“Everyone truly has each other’s back,” Bazacas said. “It’s really an ensemble show. There’s not that feeling of any stars. There’s just, really, a feeling of unity. Everybody prays for each other. Everybody takes care of each other. It’s really been a fantastic and uplifting picture of community and a great experience.”
Tickets for All Shook Up may be purchased by calling 1-325-674-ARTS.
