Crossroads Kids Present 'All Shook Up'

A large cast with some of South Brunswick's most talented kids will bring the songs of Elvis Presley to the community this week.

Crossroads South Middle School will present the Broadway hit "All Shook Up" after being chosen by the show's production company to present an age-appropriate version of the musical.

"This is basically the middle school version of the show that was on Broadway," said Phyllis Kristjanson, who co-directed the play with Lisa Lepore. "The company was looking for a school who was willing to re-work the script and we were chosen, so we're very excited."

The music of Elvis provides the backdrop for the tale of a mysterious leather jacket wearing stranger who rocks a small Midwestern town in the 1950's, with a story inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. 

For some of the show's eighth-grade cast members like Chris Swierczek and Zyair Hill, this will be their final chance to perform in a middle school production.

"This is my last show so I will be sad when it ends," Chris said. "Last year we did 'Beauty and the Beast' which had way more songs and was harder to learn the vocals. But this show is really fun and I like all the Elvis songs."

Eighth-grade performers Meghna Mahajan, Samantha Stanford and Alexa Comeau, along with sixth-grader Samvit Nangali, also pointed to the songs and energy of the show as a highpoint for the audience.

"There's so much great music and it's relatable for any age," Samantha said. "The songs are also really fun to sing along with for the audience."

The show also allows the performers to spread their acting wings, like eighth-grader Jill Grzelak, who plays the dual roles of Natalie and Ed.

"It was really interesting playing a character who pretends to be a boy," Jill said. "I kind of had to learn to dress like a boy and (my castmates) taught me how to walk like a guy and stand like a guy. You can't be all prim and proper, you more have to slouch a lot."

Eighth-grader Alec Hayes and seventh-grader Atharva Bidaye, playing the role of Chad, also said they enjoyed stepping into a unique character that represents a departure from their everyday lives.

"I love that's he's the ultimate jerk, which isn't socially acceptable, so it's fun to see the other side of things and let your inner jerk out," Atharva said. "This isn't your typical show because there's a lot of comedy and Elvis music, so it's a lot of fun."

Dlyan Gleason, an eighth-grader playing the role of Jim, pointed to the humor and theme of the play as something the audience would be able to connect with.

"My character just got dumped so he's very awkward and not good around girls," Dylan said. "The show is really funny and has an underlying theme people can relate to."

Crossroads South Middle School will present "All Shook Up" on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m., Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door $5 for students and $8 for adults.