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Youll get All Shook Up enjoying Manteca High play
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Actors Erik Caldera and Lauren Monten kiss in a scene from “All Shook Up.” - photo by HIME ROMERO
You’ve got leather jackets, rolled up T-shirts, blue suede shoes, and motorcycles.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to “All Shook Up” – the Joe DiPietro-penned Elvis Presley-esque musical currently running at the Dorothy Mulvihill Theater at Manteca High.

The production is a joint effort between the Manteca High School Thespian Club, Troupe #1507, and The Visual and Performing Arts Departments of Manteca High School.

And while music and the 1955-era the performance is set in take center stage, it’s the comedy and the themes that still resonate with teenagers today that keeps the crowd entertained – whether it’s a good girl going after the bad boy or the nice guy trying to figure out how to impress the female of his dreams.

Patrick Ho was fantastic as Chad – the leather-clad Elvis-type that wore his blue suede shoes with style. Naturally he rode up in several scenes with his Harley Davidson, and even used the bike to spark up a conversation with the innocent Natalie Haller (played by Lauren Monten) whose father is a mechanic.

While Chad single-handedly won the hearts of every female in the audience, it was Dennis (played by Lawrence Turner) that gave an ample dose of comedy to a musical that helped make it seem like something you’d expect from your friends.

And he wasn’t alone with the comedic quips.

Sylvia (played by Sheryle Washington) runs a Honky-tonk and while she gets along well with her patrons, she also has a unique way of looking at their drinking habits.

“How many times have I told you – they ain’t drunks,” Sylvia stated deftly to her daughter. “They’re just alcohol enthusiasts.”

Given the ‘50s theme, famous Elvis Presley tracks like Jailhouse Rock, Love Me Tender, Heartbreak Hotel, Don’t Be Cruel, Blue Suede Shoes, and Hound Dog/Teddy Bear comprise the soundtrack – performed perfectly by an ensemble that included people like Darryl Asuncion who had a solo during Blue Suede Shoes.

There could be no performance, however, without people like costume designer Brittany Schwartz (who did an amazing job), stage manager Katie Helsley, back stage crew Bhanupreet Gill, Lauren Helsley and Nicolette Wetzel, and Mr. Bob Helsey and the entire cast who literally painted the town.

If it’s good music you’re looking for, “All Shook Up” is a rocking time at its finest, and it’s fun for the entire family. Just supporting young talented artists is reason enough.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and children, and can be purchased at the door. Doors to the Dorothy Mulvihill Theater open at 6:30 tonight, and the show begins at 7 p.m. The same schedule is set for Saturday and Sunday.