Return to Valley has director ‘All Shook Up’

By Milan Paurich

The new and revitalized Youngstown Playhouse officially kicks off its 2009-10 season Friday with Joe DiPietro’s “All Shook Up,” a hip-swiveling, toe-tapping jukebox musical inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley.

To direct the 2005 Broadway show, the Playhouse recruited Boardman High School and Youngstown State University graduate Mary Ruth Lynn, who will be making her Youngstown-area directorial debut. After nearly a quarter-century living and working in New Hampshire where she amassed a lengthy roster of theater credits, Lynn said she is thrilled to be returning to the Playhouse family. Her first acting role was in a Youngstown Playhouse production of “Wonderful Town.”

During a recent interview, Lynn discussed the reasons for her return to the Mahoning Valley, “All Shook Up” and the future role she hopes to play in the local community theater scene.

Q. What brought you back to the Youngstown area after living in New Hampshire for 24 years?

A. My husband and I both retired from teaching this past year. I originally moved to New Hampshire because he had children there and wasn’t able to relocate. The kids have all grown and moved on, the cost of living is much lower here than it is on the East Coast and I have family in the Youngstown area, including my mother, who’s nearly 88 years old. It just seemed like the right time to come home.

Q. What was your attraction to this particular show? Have you always been an Elvis fan?

A. It wasn’t so much the show, or even Elvis, that attracted me to “All Shook Up.” It was the fact that it was going to be the opening production of what many consider to be a miracle season. Given the challenges faced by the Playhouse over the past year, the fact that we’re mounting a full slate of shows this season — and opening with a musical, no less — is pretty amazing. This show also marks the start of our 50th anniversary season on Playhouse Lane. When Joe Scarvell approached me about directing the show, I had to say yes. It gave me an opportunity to reconnect with the Playhouse, as well as participate in something really special. I don’t usually come into a show quite this way. I typically research a show and its various production aspects as much as a year in advance. With this production, I had about 10 days. But it was important for the Playhouse to open its season with a great entertainment piece, and “All Shook Up” is certainly that. Because the Playhouse announced its season later than usual — and since we held auditions after most local theaters held theirs — casting wasn’t easy. There were some pretty stiff challenges, but in the end, we selected a really talented, seasoned and dedicated cast who are all working hard and having a great time.

Q. A jukebox musical in the tradition of “Mamma Mia!” and “Jersey Boys,” “All Shook Up” uses the Elvis Presley songbook — and William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” — as the bulwark of its plot. What’s the story line?

A. In true Joe DiPietro style, the story line has twists and turns a-plenty. I love “Mamma Mia!” by the way. It’s set in the 1950s in a small Midwestern town far from the big-city lights. The ultra-conservative mayor has everyone in tow, and her sheriff is quick to arrest anyone who breaks the rules — like kissing in public or even dancing. Enter Chad, the roustabout, a cross between James Dean and the Fonz, whose magical touch seems to break the chains and bring everyone to life, including the mayor’s son. Love stories abound. Natalie loves Chad, Chad loves Sandra, Dennis loves Natalie, Sylvia loves Jim, Jim loves Sandra, Chad drops Sandra and loves Ed — who’s actually Natalie disguised as a man. Sandra also loves Ed but then discovers that it’s actually Dennis whom she loved all along, and Jim and Sandra end up together. As for the sheriff, I’ll let you find out what happens to him when you see the show. It’s one of the highlights of the evening.

Q. Have you embraced the kitschier aspects of DiPietro’s book, or have you tried to steer clear of anything that might be construed as campy?

A. If you don’t embrace the kitsch, then you shouldn’t bother doing the show in the first place. From that plot description, it’s pretty obvious there’s no way to bring “All Shook Up” to the stage and have it succeed without being campy. I think you’ll see that in every aspect of the show: from the set with its huge portraits of (James) Dean and Marilyn Monroe, to the brightly colored poodle skirt costumes, to the characters who are bigger than life. It’s just great fun.

Q. Who’s appearing in the show?

A. I think most everyone knows Rachel Rossi, who’s playing the dual role(s) of Natalie/Ed. Rachel has performed in many shows around the area, and we’re delighted to have her on board. Playhouse veteran Tom O’Donnell — who did shows with me back in the ’80s — adds his unique comic stylings to the role of Jim. Marquee Award-winning actress Carla Gipson takes on the role of Sylvia, and Boardman High School senior Mone Perry plays her daughter, Lorraine. You’ll be seeing a lot more of this young lady in the future, trust me! Rounding out the cast are Susan Prosser, another local favorite, as the Mayor; Jason Green as Dennis; Ken Styver as Earl; newcomer Zach O’Conner as Dean; and Stacy Coffey Keenan plays the voluptuous Sandra. Last, but certainly not least, our Chad is Andrew Leah. Andrew literally saved this production. Having cast this role twice and losing both of those young men to other conflicts, Andrew accepted the role on short notice and is driving every night from Pittsburgh for rehearsals.

Q. Is “All Shook Up” strictly for Elvis obsessives, or is it a show that anyone — and all ages — can enjoy?

A. Although the show wraps a story line around Elvis Presley songs, it’s not about Elvis, per se, nor does it use any Elvis impersonators. So it really can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Just as you didn’t have to be an ABBA fan to love “Mamma Mia!,” you don’t have to be an Elvis fan to enjoy this show.

Q. Nicole Caravella is handling the show’s extremely athletic choreography. Can you tell us a little about her background in musical theater?

A. Nicole comes to us from New Castle and works as a marketing assistant in Pittsburgh. We certainly seem to have a lot of Pittsburgh connections with this show (laughs). Her background includes choreographing musicals like “The Pajama Game,” “Anything Goes,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Footloose.” She’s also taught a wide variety of dance styles and is a former member of the Lady Steelhounds dance team.

Q. Are you planning to stick around the area for a while? If so, do you have any plans to direct additional shows (musical or otherwise) this season?

A. I’m back in the area for good. We purchased a home and are still settling in. I hope very much to continue working with our wonderful area theaters, and yes, I’ll be directing the Youngstown Playhouse production of “Blithe Spirit” next spring.