Newtown Ready to be “All Shook Up!”

The King, the Bard and a sorceress – of sorts – come together for Newtown Arts Company’s latest offering, “All Shook Up!”

The musical, which is inspired by the music of Elvis Presley and a book written by Jersey boy Joe DiPietro, features the music of the King himself. It opens April 7 and will run through 13 at the

Loosely akin to Shakespeare’s cross-dressing, mistaken-identity romantic comedy “Twelfth Night,” the 30-person production is being infused with magical energy by director Kristin Kauffman.

The petite Muhlenberg College grad joined Newtown Arts Company in 2009 and the board just last year. Although not her first directing gig, this is Kauffman’s first time directing for the 27-year-old troupe that has awarded thousands in scholarship funds to local high school students who want to study performance or fine arts in college.

Of the six productions this season, “All Shook Up!” is one of only two musicals. It features some 20 hits by the King, including “Love Me Tender,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Fools Fall in Love,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”  

Kauffman appreciates the melody present in Elvis’s music, saying music of her era (now) isn’t very tonal.  

“The orchestration is a reinvention of his music and I really respect that," Kauffman said. Her challenge is to pay tribute to the music. This is not, however, a “tribute band” experience, but musical theater complete with storyline and dancing – a lot of dancing.

Kauffman said she can’t remember when there was this much dancing on the 180-year-old Newtown Theatre stage.

“We’re pushing the envelope here," she said.

While admittedly young and diminutive, Kauffman commands rehearsals, even with plenty of distraction. She’s quick, however, to dole out praise.

“The cast is incredible,” she said. “They’re so talented. They’re picking up everything very quickly.”

The cast, of which half are new to Newtown Arts Company productions, is large. There are 10 leads, 12 dance and vocal ensembles, and eight chorus members.

Newtown’s George Fisher portrays Chad, the pot-stirrer who arrives in a small town kept under the strict thumb of Mayor Matilda Hyde, played by Newtown’s Jane Landes. Greg Millevoi, of Richboro, is Sheriff Earl.  Amanda Cutalo, of Lawrenceville, N.J., plays mechanic-with-big-dreams Natalie Haller.

Langhorne’s Susan den Outer is musical director and Newtown’s Jackie Tamburrino is stage manager.

The company has been rehearsing four nights a week and Saturdays since early February.

“They’ve borne up under the pressure very well,” said Kauffman. “I think we’re ahead of the curve.”

Curtain times for “All Shook Up!” are: Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m.; Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, $23 and $35.

Visit www.newtownartscompany.com, the Newtown Theatre Box Office during theater hours, or call 215-860-7058.