Minnetonka Theatre Celebrates 10 Years with ALL SHOOK UP!, Now thru 8/4

Minnetonka Theatre is celebrating 10 years under the Artistic Direction of Kent Knutson, director of both the theatre's high school and community branches, with a remount of their fan favorite production, All Shook Up! Alumni cast members were invited back to be a part of this Elvis inspired musical, first presented by Minnetonka High School in 2009. Running from tonight, July 20 to August 4 on the Arts Center on 7 Main Stage, it is also a follow up to last winter's sold-out hit, The Sound of Music.

"The amount of talent in this show is truly spectacular," says Knutson. "Honestly the best voices we have had on our stage! Many of our stars have returned for the summer, and there are some fabulous new actors helping us make this our most lively production yet."

In addition to MHS graduates and familiar faces from past community Theater Productions, some stellar new actors will be joining the Minnetonka Theatre family: Joshua James Campbell (from the first national tour of Legally Blonde – The Musical) will star as Chad, the charming roustabout. Maureen Sherman-Mendez (choreographer of MHS's sold out premiere production of Legally Blonde- The Musical this past spring) will star as NatAlie Haller, the young mechanic who falls for Chad. Sean Michael Dooley (professional Twin Cities actor with local credits including the Guthrie, Children's Theatre, and Mixed Blood) also stars as Jim Haller, Natalie's father. Newcomer Frank Moran will play Dean before starring in Chanhassen Dinner Theatre's Bye Bye Birdie this fall. Audiences will also witness the return of Nathaniel Irvin (star of MHS productions like Jesus Christ Superstar), home for the summer from his studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.

Knutson's first show with the theatre was Grease, presented by Minnetonka High School in Fall 2002. Past Minnetonka Theatre summer musicals include: Anything Goes (2011), The Drowsy Chaperone (2010), Hello, Dolly! (2009) Annie Get Your Gun (2008), Damn Yankees (2007), The Wizard of Oz (2006) Fiddler on the Roof (2005), Honk! (2004), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (2003).

In a roadside honky-tonk, a surprise visit from a mysterious, leather-jacketed stranger leads a small town to discover the freedom of dance, the magic of romance, and the power of rock-n-roll. These all-Elvis musical features hit songs such as "Heartbreak Hotel", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Burning Love", and "Jailhouse Rock".

CAST:

NatAlie Haller– Maureen Sherman-Mendez*
Chad – Joshua James Campbell*
Jim Haller – Sean Michael Dooley*
Sylvia – Whitney Rhodes
Lorraine – Taylor Kelly-Murray
Dennis – Nathaniel Irvin
Miss Sandra – Ellen Schwartz
Mayor Matilda Hyde – Maureen Kvam
Dean Hyde – Frank Moran
Sheriff Earl – Greg Frankenfield
Deputy Doug – Shawn Gaebel
Henrietta – Emily Madigan

Featured Dancers (+Soloists): Danny Adams+, Ryan Fargo+, David Frankenfield, Katherine Fried+, Becca Hunkins, Emily Madigan+, Madison McDaniel, Emmy Mendez, George Mulder, Kelsey Peterjohn+, Eric Sargent +, Tré Searles and Kyle Szarzynski.

Ensemble: Mark Battles, Christian Belz, Haley Churchill, Zach Churchill, Claire Deslauriers, Ginny Fogg, Maddie Garces, Norma Garfin, Maddie Gerhardt, Debra Larsson, Matt Lindholm, Zach Osmundson, Leo Plante, Ryan Quinlan, Kelly Rohde, Scottie Schwefel, Ruby Segal, Andrew Shellum, Brooke Wahlstrom and Kitty West.

*Appearance courtesy of Actors' Equity Association

The production plays the following dates: July 20, 21, 27, 28, and August 2, 3, 4 at 7:30pm; July 28 at 2:00pm and July 29 at 4:00pm. Tickets are $20 Adult, $15 Senior (65+) and $10 Youth (under 18). Call the box office at 952.401.5898 or go online at www.minnetonkatheatre.com.

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