Jackson Replaces Emick as Star of All Shook Up

Cheyenne Jackson, who was originally hired as an understudy for the role of Chad, will now play that starring role in the upcoming Elvis musical All Shook Up. Tony winner Jarrod Emick, who had previously been announced in the role, "was replaced when final contract terms could not be agreed upon," according to a statement from the production.

Jackson served as a standby for the role of Radames in Aida and understudied the roles of Jimmy Smith and Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie. He recently starred in Altar Boyz, the New York Musical Theater Festival hit that is slated for an off-Broadway berth this spring. His regional credits include West Side Story, The Most Happy Fella, Hair, Grease, Carousel, Children of Eden, Anything Goes, Kismet, The Rocky Horror Show and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

"Both the producers of All Shook Up and Jarrod Emick's representatives believed a deal would be made, however, in the end we simply could not agree on the terms," producer Jonathan Pollard said in a statement. "The entire production team regrets that Jarrod won't be with us, as we have great respect for his ability and wish him well. We also feel incredibly fortunate that we didn't have to look very far for his successor. Cheyenne Jackson, who was hired as his understudy, is a star on the rise whose talent and assets will have a prime opportunity to be discovered in All Shook Up."

All Shook Up, featuring a book by Joe DiPietro, will also star Jenn Gambatese, Jonathan Hadary, Leah Hocking, Curtis Holbrook, Nikki M. James, John Jellison, Alix Korey, Mark Price and Sharon Wilkins. The cast will also feature Justin Bohon, Justin Brill, Paul Castree, Cara Cooper, Randy A. Davis, Jennie Ford, Cheyenne Jackson, Trisha Jeffrey, Michelle Kittrell, Anika Larsen, Michael X. Martin, Karen Murphy, John Eric Parker, Justin Patterson, Jenell Lynn Randall, Michael James Scott, Jenny-Lynn Suckling and Virginia Woodruff.

All Shook Up, directed by Christopher Ashley, will begin previews Sunday, February 20 and open on Thursday, March 24 at Broadway's Palace Theatre. Before it hits the Great White Way, the show will play Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre from December 19 to January 23.