It was an exiting ending to the month of May for fifty students in Belmont Secondary’s newly formed Musical Theatre program, as they completed their run of the musical ‘All Shook Up’ at the Isabelle Reader Theatre.
For over 3 months these dedicated students in grades 10, 11 and 12 rehearsed daily on challenging choreography, vocal harmonies, acting and blocking of the close to two-hour musical that originally started it’s run on Broadway. In February, most of these students were joining a musical theatre cast for the first time. Under the direction of teacher, Melissa Young, who also choreographed the show, and music director Glenn Whitney, they quickly developed into a tight-knit cast that performed the show with confidence, energy and professionalism.
The story follows a motorcycle-riding roustabout who comes to a quiet town where fun and dancing has been outlawed. All is turned upside down when the townspeople, both young and old, start to fall madly in love with each other, including the town’s young female mechanic, Natalie, who falls for the roustabout, Chad, and cross-dresses to get her man. The musical is set to the songs of Elvis Presley, which, along with the entertaining storyline, made it very approachable for audiences.
Bringing a new culture, like musical theatre, to a school can be challenging, but after two shows with crowds over 200 and a sold-out final night, Belmont Music Theatre is well on its way to making it’s mark in the high school and in the community. Stayed tuned for the announcement of next years production from Belmont Musical Theatre.
Here is the poster that advertised the event….
