Norwich Theater Company’s recent production of “All Shook Up” earned three awards from the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS).
The musical was built around songs made famous by Elvis Presley, and the plot told a story relating to pertinent social issues and addressed them in a humorous manner.
According to director and costume designer Carolyn McMaster, the cast worked tirelessly for approximately nine weeks of rehearsals before they hit the stage for their performances last weekend.
McMaster had said before the show the depth of talent of the cast across the board – singing, acting and dancing – was very strong.
It appears the adjudicators from TANYS agreed with McMaster’s opinion.
The awards earned include: Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance to the Cast, Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Jes Sheldon for her portrayal of Natalie Haller, and Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Jon Stockton for his portrayal of Chad.
According to the adjudicator, “Norwich Theater Company brought back the musical era of Elvis Presley with style and class.”
The plot incorporated William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” and the musicals “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Mamma Mia.”
Jes Sheldon – winner of a Meritorious Achievement award – is no stranger to the stage. She stated she began her career with musical theater at the age of nine.
Said Sheldon, “After a ten year hiatus from the stage this just goes to show me I’ve ‘still got it.’”
Jon Stockton – who has been involved with musical theater for an estimated two decades – said the award was a very pleasant surprise.
According to Stockton, the roles of Natalie and Chad were dependent upon one another. “Naturally, I couldn’t have done it without her (Sheldon),” he said.
Sheldon returned the kind words, who added, “I’m overjoyed. We all put in so much work and it really paid off. I couldn’t have done it without such a strong cast and an especially gifted counterpart in Jon.”
The adjudicator noted the high energy of the production, and referred to it as strong in both acting and singing from the very first song all the way to the curtain call.
“It was a memorable evening and a great crowd pleaser,” added the adjudicator.
Both Sheldon and Stockton commended the entire cast and ensemble for the work each put in to the production to make it the success it was – a success that earned the entire cast the Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance award.
The TANYS serves non-professional community theater, university and college theater departments, secondary school drama departments and children’s theaters in the state of New York. The mission of TANYS is to “foster the contribution of theater to the lives of the citizens of New York State, to promote high standards of theater practice through education and example and to encourage exchanges of information and knowledge through people-to-people and theater-to-theater exchanges.”
Both Sheldon and Stockton said they are ready for their next show.
Said Sheldon, “Now I’ve got the itch again and have already auditioned for A Christmas Carol. I can’t wait to get back on the stage.”
A Christmas Carol will hit the stage in November and is directed by Mark D. Sands.
Added Stockton, “Of course the hooks were already in me, I too will be in Christmas Carol and can’t wait to work with Mark Sands, Jes and everyone else that has come out for this production.”
For further information on the Norwich Theater Company visit norwichtheatercompany.org.