The King returns in a musical

I’m tired of movies. I’m tired of protests. I’m tired of ’sale’ shopping. I’m tired of the same ole same. I long for good old-fashioned entertainment. I dream of foot-tapping music. I need songs I can sing along with. I want a loud, happy Broadway-like musical.

And just when I was about to put my blue suede shoes away, one of the cast members from the CAUSE Foundation pinged to tell me their new musical All Shook Up is in town this week. A hilarious musical comedy that’s inspired by the songs of Elvis Presley, and brought to life by the cast and crew who’ve given Bangalore some of its most memorable evenings. The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and Grease. Remember?

All Shook Up is filled with vibrant costumes, foot-tappy numbers, old school moves and a 35-member cast who’ve volunteered to set Bangalore’s pulse a-racing. The musical deals with a small mid-western American town in the ’50s that recognizes the unjustness of segregation after a leather-jacket clad youth thunders in with his bike. The story is ultimately about the power and magic of music and its role in dissolving inhibitions and class tensions.

And it’s all for a good cause. The CAUSE Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes local talent through musical productions, with all profits going to worthy local charities.

Now that has an even bigger feel-good factor than retail therapy.

All Shook Up. Director: Leila Alvares. Featuring: Neville De Nazareth, Neha Kapoor, Jude Lazaro, Arvind Kasthuri and Prem Koshy. Music Director: Gaurav Vas. Choreographers: Lucien Charanghat, Lionel De Nazareth, Neha Kapoor, Kanika Batra and Pravin Roberts. August 29 to September 1, (Friday through Monday). 7:15pm to 9 pm. Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore. Tickets: Rs 500, 300, 200 and 150, available at Supermarket (Brigade Rd), Fab India (Indiranagar), Market Basket (Cox Town Market) and online at www.indianstage.in. Call 9986016207 for details.