This certainly isn't the first time William Shakespeare has been married to musical theater. Two award-winning examples leap immediately to mind: "West Side Story," inspired by "Romeo and Juliet," and "Kiss Me, Kate," adapted from "The Taming of the Shrew."

But who would have thought 25 of Elvis Presley's greatest hits would be the blueprint for a rock 'n' version of "Twelfth Night?" Writer Joe DiPietro, that's who.

If you want to see the knock-down, jump-around, raise-the-rafters musical DiPietro patterned after a raucous comedy by the Bard, make haste to the Musical Theatre West production of "All Shook Up." Judging by the reaction of the opening night crowd, it is guaranteed to knock your socks off.

Under the direction of Steven Glaudini - with musical direction by Michael Borth and choreography by Lee Martino - an ensemble of multitalented performers transports the audience to middle America, 1955.

There, into a small town where nothing ever happens, rides Chad - a slick, grease-haired roustabout who has just been released from prison for indecent behavior. After opening the show with a rousing rendition of "Jailhouse Rock," Chad turns the town upside-down within 24hours.

Derek Keeling plays this charismatic, hip-thrusting, lip-curling braggadocio as if he were channeling Elvis, which of course he is. Once he warms up and gets in the groove, he does it with style.

Everyone in the play's hick town is in a stupor until Chad challenges them to wake up and start living again. And do they ever. Before the curtain falls, you'll hear such hits as "Blue Suede Shoes," "Love Me Tender," "Don't Be Cruel," "Burning Love" and, of course, the title song, "All Shook Up."
Keeling's co-star, Bets Malone, is terrific as Natalie.

A lonely young girl who is an expert mechanic, Natalie works in her father's garage but dreams of hitting the road on her bike and finding a new life somewhere else. That is, until Chad comes to town and she falls instantly in love with him.

Her dad, Jim (a sensational Barry Pearl), is also lonely. As is Sylvia (Gwen Stewart), the bartender who has looked after Jim since he was widowed. He thinks of Sylvia as a good friend, and she's in love with Jim but doesn't know it yet.

In fact, everyone on stage is in love with someone who doesn't know it or doesn't return it; so they are "All Shook Up."

That includes the talented Danny Calvert, who plays Natalie's best pal, Dennis, like a hang-dog puppy; and Sylvia's 16-year-old daughter, Lorraine (Sabrina N. Sloan), who falls for Dean, (Tristan Rumery), the obedient son of narrow-minded Mayor Matilda (a hysterical Cynthia Ferrer).

If it's patterned after "Twelfth Night," you know mistaken identities will have to play a large part in the story, and indeed they do. Chad gets a glimpse of the cultured Miss Sandra (the always sensational Tracy Lore), who is in charge of the town's small museum. She will have absolutely nothing to do with this swell-headed guitar player.

But when Natalie disguises herself as a sensitive boy named Ed (so she can get closer to Chad), Sandra falls for Ed on the spot. Oops. In no time, Chad starts to have warm feelings for Ed (aka Natalie) himself. Double oops.

One of the show highlights is when all the statues come to life and try to persuade Sandra to "Let Yourself Go." Stewart almost brings the house down when she belts out "Heartbreak Hotel," "That's All Right" and "There's Always Me."

The last two scenes ("Fools Fall in Love" in the fairgrounds, and "Burning Love" (inside the church) are so uplifting, you'll go home with new faith in humanity.

Shirle Gottlieb is a Long Beach freelance writer.

ALL SHOOK UP

>When: Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., through March9; additional show March2 at 7 p.m.

>Where: Carpenter Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach.