The Elvis Presley inspired stage musical

When my editor caught the run dates for Theatre at the Center's new production of "All Shook Up," the Elvis Presley inspired stage musical, she drew my attention to the closing show date — Aug. 16.

As she pointed out, it's the same fateful date of the anniversary of Presley's death at age 42 in 1977.

Even for those who are not a fan of The King, there's no denying his lasting impact and impression on others.

Actor David Sajewich gives Elvis his due, and then some, starring as the lead for this polished run of "All Shook Up," which is the perfect example of summer stage musical fun.

It runs just slightly more than two hours, including one intermission and Sajewich is cast as the Elvis-tribute lead character "Chad," a musical rebel with likeable qualities who manages to cast a spell over an entire small town.

All of the greatest hits from the Presley music library are showcased, woven with nostalgic rock n' roll highlights, romance and silly mix-ups with Theatre at the Center Artistic Director Bill Pullinsi and Jeff Award-winning choreographer Danny Herman co-directing. The musical features the book by Tony Award-winning Joe DiPietro.

What makes this musical so charming is it doesn't attempt to be serious or life-changing. Instead, it embraces an almost cartoon quality to entertain and leave audiences smiling.

Set in the summer of 1955 in a conservative Midwestern town, "All Shook Up" is described as the modern musical take on William Shakespeare's romantic comedy, "Twelfth Night." It follows the story of Natalie, played by talented, eye-twinkling Callie Johnson, who is a small town girl with big dreams for a life of adventure.

The answer to her prayers comes in the form of black leather jacket adorned musical Adonis, Chad, the role captured so ideally by Sajewich with his comic timing, velvety voice and bravado.

Mayor Matilda Hyde believes Chad's musical free-spirit ways are a corrupt influence on the youth of today and actress Iris Lieberman captures all of the kooky qualities of madam mayor and adds an element of eccentric excitement to her character.

The production highlights 24 classic Elvis hits in the musical comedy, including "Heartbreak Hotel," "Burning Love," "Jailhouse Rock," "Blue Suede Shoes," "It's Now or Never," "Don’t Be Cruel," "Hound Dog," "Can't Help Falling In Love" and "Fools Rush In."

Other fun moments come courtesy of Matthias Austin as Natalie's age-defying father Jim;Justin Brill for a very funny turn as sidekick Dennis; Sharriese Hamilton who sparkles as Lorraine; Allison Sill brings her own clever spin to straight-laced museum curator Miss Sandra; and Bethany Thomas belts out her every tune with fire and passion as cafe owner Sylvia.Patrick Tierney is fun as the mayor's son Dean, and Steve Silver claims his own moment near the conclusion as Sheriff Earl. The ensemble includes Annelise Baker, Julie Baird, Caitlin Borek, Johnson Brock, Brian Duncan, Reneisha Jenkins, Kayla Kennedy, Eric Lewis, John Marshall and Henry McGinniss.

Jeff Award-winning scenic designers Jackie Penrod and Richard Penrod creative an inventive landscape with lighting and projection design from Guy Rhodes added to the talents of sound designer Barry Funderburg and dazzling costume designs from Brenda Winstead with wig designer Kevin Barthel.

A movable feast:Louis food trucks

Five years after the food-truck boom in St. Louis began in earnest, new trucks keep arriving. There’s always, it seems, another niche to fill.
Smoothies?
JuiceMasters serves them from a truck.
Not just coffee, but fancy pour-over coffee?
The Grove coffee shop Rise serves it from a truck.
Nutrition-focused food from the Cardinals team chef?
Revel Kitchen serves it from a truck.
Kevin Baker and Eddie Bohn spotted a market for hot Italian beef sandwiches and other fare from Bohn’s native Chicago, so the duo launched 22 August, one of the newest additions to the St. Louis food-truck fleet.
(The truck’s name references Bohn’s mother’s birthday. “She passed away a couple years ago and left him a little money,” Baker said. “Just enough to get a food truck up and running.”)
The crowded food-truck field didn’t dissuade them. At 22 August’s three main stops — the established city food-truck haunts at Citygarden downtown, the Wells Fargo campus in midtown and the Barnes-Jewish campus in the Central West End — Baker reports that the truck has already gained a set of regular customers.
St. Louis’ proximity to Chicago “has gotten us a lot of attention,” Baker said. “We’ll show up, and there will be five or six other trucks, and we’ll get a little concerned, but we’re doing all right.”
When Go! Magazine cataloged St. Louis’ food trucks in December 2013, we counted 45 mobile vendors. This summer, we counted 60, give or take. (A couple of trucks have announced, but not begun, their operations.)
What’s more, of 2013’s roster, only five trucks have ceased operations or taken an extended hiatus. A sixth, Burger Ink, shut down in favor of a brick-and-mortar restaurant, the Tattooed Dog, in Wentzville.
Several other trucks have added, or are about to add, brick-and-mortar restaurants, includingGuerrilla Street Food, Lulu’s Local Eatery and Taco Truck STL.
My Big Fat Greek Truck opened its restaurant, the Little Greek Corner, just last week in Fenton. Owner Danny Botonis said the restaurant will help address one major issue that will always concern St. Louis food trucks.

“I always wanted to have a restaurant,” co-owner Danny Botonis said. “We happened to start with the food truck four years ago. (The truck) is great, but it’s seasonal.”