All Shook Up: Youth theatre company bringing Elvis-inspired musical to Halifax audiences

Brianne Foley visits a youth theatre group that's getting ready to stage a Broadway favourite in Halifax.

A Nova Scotia youth theatre company is hitting a high note with its biggest production yet.

The South Shore Summer Theatre’s Elvis-inspired musical “All Shook Up” features young performers from across the province.

The musical, which is based on “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare, first premiered on Broadway 20 years ago.

“It’s a musical about this roustabout that comes into town, and he shakes everything up because it’s like a drab town, there’s not much fun and colour, it’s very dull and he comes and he basically brightens it up,” said performer Sofia Andreu.

Andreu has been with the summer theatre since 2022. She took part in its first show, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and has been involved in every production since.

This year marks the first time the group will perform at the Bella Rose Arts Centre in Halifax.

“Our cast almost doubled, we’re at 30 this year, so we needed a space that was a little bigger, a little more modern, it has air-conditioning, which is really important with a big cast,” said stage manager Jennifer Lehman.

The South Shore Summer Theatre was co-founded by Jerri Southcott with the goal of giving rural Nova Scotians a chance to work with professionals for free.

“They get music, dance, choreography and theatre experience at no cost to them. We’ve raised money in the community, we get grants, money from all levels of government, and breaking down that economic barrier for people to be able to participate and have a stage and be creative and artistic was really important to me,” Southcott said.

Andreu describes the group as like a second family.

“I love the experience of getting to perform, even if it’s a small part, it’s just still so fun, and you make such great friends and connections,” she said.

“It’s important because I get to meet all different types of people and get to know people that I may not typically talk to or be around outside of this program, and so I’ve met so many incredible people and it’s been really nice.”

Southcott says anyone who loves Elvis, fun and Shakespeare will also love “All Shook Up.”

“You will come out remembering and singing the music, the arrangements of the Elvis Presley music. Very musical theatre but memorable, interesting, the harmonies, phenomenal. These kids are really talented,” she said.

“All Shook Up” is at the Bella Rose Arts Centre Wednesday through Saturday.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Brianne Foley.

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