CVMS students shake, rattle and roll

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Neighbors | Submitted.The opening number at the CVMS performance of ALL SHOOK UP was the song "Jail House Rock."

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Neighbors | Submitted.Zack Davison (Jim Haller) and Viv Favre (Sylvia) perform during their on-stage wedding from ALL SHOOK UP May 8.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Many from the cast of the play celebrated a successful performance at the Canfield Perkins after the May 6 show. They did an impromtu performance for the staff and patrons as a thank you.

Elvis was in the building May 6 and 8 as Canfield Village Middle School seventh and eighth-grade students performed the show “ALL SHOOK UP” in front a capacity crowd.

The musical, starring over 50 CVMS students, was inspired by and featured the songs of Elvis Presley and included such favorites as “Love Me Tender,” “I Just Wanna Be Your Teddy Bear,” “You Ain’t Nothin’ But A Houndog,” “Blue Suede Shoes” and the title tune, “All Shook Up.”

“What a thrill to see 53 middle schoolers tackle ALL SHOOK UP,” said Kandace Cleland, artistic director of the show and expressive arts teacher at CVMS. “I echo the thoughts of one of my newbie actors, ‘When the audience laughed and applauded, it was magic!’”

According to Ellen Bennett, parent resource coordinator, ticket sales were strong both nights and the audience really reacted well to familiar songs and some of the funny lines.

“We are grateful to the community for their support. Both cast and crew members should be commended on their outstanding work, considering that these students put in full days at school while juggling the rehearsal schedule, other after-school activities and homework,” said Bennett.

One of the highlights each night was when the cast and crew came into the lobby after the show, the younger children clamored for their autographs.

The cast party, held Saturday night after the show in the high school cafeteria, was a big hit with cast and crew alike as they unwound from the success of the show.