Jarrod Emick Lands Lead in B'way All Shook Up
Emick is currently appearing on Broadway in The Boy from Oz, which is scheduled to close on September 12. The actor won a 1994 Tony Award, Drama Desk and Theatre World Award for his performance as Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees. He also appeared on the Great White Way in Miss Saigon and The Rocky Horror Show. His other theatrical credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, South Pacific, Bus Stop, Grease!, Les Miserables and the West End production of The Full Monty.
A comedy set in middle America in 1955, All Shook Up, which features a book by Joe DiPietro, is not a biographical revue. In the musical, one girl's wish and a surprise visit from a mysterious leather-jacketed, guitar-playing stranger lead a small town to discover the magic of romance and the power of rock 'n' roll. Songs in the show include "Heartbreak Hotel," "Love Me Tender," "Don't Be Cruel," "Can't Help Falling in Love" and "All Shook Up."
All Shook Up premiered at Goodspeed Musicals' Norma Terris Theater this spring. In addition to Pope, the cast there included Jennifer Gambatese, Jonathan Hadary, Leah Hocking, Ashton Holmes, Nikki M. James, John Jellison, Alix Korey, Mark Price and Sharon Wilkins. No official casting has been announced for subsequent productions, but the majority of these cast members including Gambatese in the lead female role are expected to remain with the tuner.
All Shook Up, directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Ken Roberson who, as we previously reported, is taking over for Jodi Moccia, will try out at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre, where it is scheduled to run from December 19, 2004 through January 23, 2005. It is then set to land at Broadway's Palace Theatre, with performances beginning on February 20, 2005 in preparation for a March 24, 2005 opening.
A production spokesperson could not confirm casting for All Shook Up.