Juniors take lead  positions in “All Shook Up”

A two-leveled set, Elvis music and new faces are just some of the featured items this year in the fall musical “All Shook Up.”
According to director Jodi Hatzenbeller, this year’s performance will include a more complex set to go along with more dance numbers.
“We will be using a two-leveled set this year, whereas in years past we were limited to only one level,” Hatzenbeller said. “We will be more effective in reaching our audience.”
“All Shook Up” takes place in a 1950s small town, which is changed with the arrival of Chad, a seductive young man who creates new romances and confusing relationships between characters.

Junior Emmett Bongaarts said he is excited to play the lead role as character Chad.
“During last year’s musical I decided I really wanted to be a lead. It is a lot of work but the outcome will be worth it,” he said.
Junior Bessie Bulman plays the other lead character, Natalie, a mechanic who pretends to be a boy in order to get close to Chad, who she has fallen in love with.
Just as Natalie uses unconventional methods to get closer to Chad, Bulman said she enjoys the different types of songs that will be featured this year.
“When I tell people it’s a mixture of Elvis and Shakespeare they don’t really know what to expect,” Bulman said. “But then I assure them that it sounds really good.”
Sophomore Carolyn Guddal said she is excited to watch the play from the audience.
“I have a few friends in the play and it will be exciting to see them performing on the stage. From what I hear, the musical should be awesome,” Guddal said.
“All Shook Up” will be performed the weekends of Nov. 9, 10, 11 and Nov. 16, 17, 18. The show will start 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. The cost of admission is $7 for students and $10 for adults.

Photo by Dylan Scott

Chad Chats: Junior Emmett Bongaarts, who plays “Chad,” rehearses for the fall musical “All Shook Up” with junior Bessie Bulman after school Oct. 30 in the auditorium.