A scene from the musical “All Shook Up,” which will go on stage at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul from Sept. 11 to Nov. 1

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

The Korean version of Broadway musical ``All Shook Up,'' which was inspired by the hit songs of rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley, will go on stage for the first time after the show first debuted on stage two years ago.

The adrenaline-pumping show will feature a star-filled cast including Sohn Ho-young, Kim Jin-woo and Yoon Gong-joo.

The pop-based musical directed by David Swan and produced by Shin Chun-soo, head of the OD Musical Company, won three prizes at the first Musical Awards in Korea for its translation and adaptation. The jukebox musical first premiered on Broadway in 2005.

Consisting of 24 of Presley's smash hits, the show deals with a story that takes place in a small town in the United States over 24 hours in the summer of 1955.

The storyline revolves around Natalie, a young girl with dreams of hitting the road, and Chad, a charismatic rebel who brings rock'n'roll to the town and changes it forever.

Singer-turned-actor Sohn Ho-young, former member of all-men group G.O.D., will alternate in the role of Chad with musical actor Kim Jin-woo, a rising musical heartthrob renowned for his role in the musical ``Cats.''

For the role of Natalie, Yoon Gong-joo, who took the same role in the previous show, will return.

The show has attracted a wide range of viewers, from youngsters in their 20s to the middle-aged due to Presley's hit numbers. The musical received rave reviews not only from fans, but also critics for overcoming the stigma of the jukebox musical with a good storyline.

Last year, the Korean rendition was exported to Fuji TV for its uses of stage, costumes and directorship, which opened a new profit-making opportunity.

Based on the book by Joe DiPietro, ``All Shook Up'' is a rockin' version of William Shakespeare's classic play ``Twelfth Night,'' featuring the hit songs of the legendary singer, such as ``Love Me Tender,'' ``Hound Dog,'' ``Can't Help Falling in Love'' and ``All Shook Up.''

The musical will be on stage at Chungmu Art Hall from Sept. 11 to Nov. 1. Tickets cost from 50,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr