By Wade Coggeshall
DANVILLE — How “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” the musical being presented this weekend by the high school’s Drama Department here, came into existence is somewhat unusual.
Joan King Kisner, mother of Drama Club Director Kim Graham, once owned the Nashville Follies Musical Theatre in Nashville, Ind. Her son, who managed the facility, kept encouraging her to write a ’50s-style show to complement the country and Broadway programs they already performed.
“I told him no,” Kisner said. “I lived through the ’50s and didn’t want to relive them.”
Her son was determined, however. When he issued the next season’s schedule, there was a show listed called “Shake, Rattle, and Roll.” He then told Kisner to write it. That turned out to be good advice.
“It was probably the most popular show we ever did,” said Kisner, who oversaw its production in the late ’90s. “Even people who didn’t live during the ’50s loved it.”
“Shake, Rattle, and Roll” is set in a malt shop, a popular after-school hangout for a motley mix of teens. There’s Tony “T-Bone” Barone, the wild guy who lusts after good girl Cindy Sue. And Tammy, T-Bone’s female version who secretly has the hots for Sam, depicted in the musical wearing a white letter sweater.
The plot is full of teen romance, with lots of twists, leading up to the prom. Sprinkled throughout are a plethora of songs that populated that era. Winnowing it down to a suitable running time is difficult, Kisner says.
“There are so many wonderful ’50s songs,” she said. “But once you start forming a story line, the songs start to fall in line. Every scene is a lead-in to a song that has the exact words you need.”
The young cast didn’t really know the songs when rehearsals started.
“I think I’ve introduced them to some good music,” Kisner said. “They really seem to be having a good time with it.”
“Shake, Rattle, and Roll” proved to be such a hit for Kisner that she wrote a sequel called “Route 66.” It’s the same characters 10 years later. Graham is considering performing that show next school year.
Kisner no longer operates the Nashville Follies Musical Theatre. She closed it after her husband, now deceased, suffered a stroke. So seeing “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” alive once again has been a joy.
“It’s nostalgic,” said Kisner, who has overseen rehearsals once a week. “I have a good time with it and truly miss it. It’s fun to see it revived.”
“Shake, Rattle, and Roll” will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday in the Danville Community High School auditorium, 100 Warrior Way. Tickets are $7 for adults in advance or $10 at the door, and $5 for all students. For more information, call 745-6431.
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
