Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...The problem is not the cast. On the contrary, Hanes, a young Broadway star, is a bona fide triple threat. Mueller is quite charming, if not wholly believable as such a sexually aggressive character. And there are some terrific performances in smaller roles, including the huge-voiced Melody A. Betts, the lovely Chasten Harmon and the very droll Dennis Moench, who plays the town nerd and delivers the best gags of the night."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...director-choreographer Marc Robin has assembled a large, top-notch cast, revved things up (especially in the first act), enriched the characterizations and storytelling (though they still are essentially cartoons), and supplied the big "rock 'n' roll" dance sequences that signal youthful rambunctiousness. But the show, with its book by Joe DiPietro, just can't escape feeling like a generic brand."
Daily Herald - Somewhat Recommended
"...DiPietro squandered his dramatic opportunities by making the whole show into a harmless cartoon. The perceived menace of Presley's down-South sexuality gets watered down to hip-swiveling caricature, while the era's life-and-death struggles over race relations get brushed aside for a facile "love conquers all" finale."
Chicago Free Press - Highly Recommended
"...Coming fast, thick and fun, the two dozen jukebox ballads are inventively delivered and powerfully hoofed. Director Marc Robin can do no wrong, whether selling a song, milking a moment or making “American Dancestand” look positively tame. Tyler Hanes’ Chad, though not sounding all that much like the historical Elvis, radiates the same doo-wop confidence that melted hearts half a century ago."
Copley News Service - Recommended
"...Let the record show that the Marriott staging is a considerable improvement over the pre-Broadway production that played in downtown Chicago during the winter of 2004-2005. And the opening night crowd at Marriott mostly seemed to be having a great time, responding to the high-energy performances on the stage and those great Elvis numbers of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Good for them. I just wish I were seeing the show they found so enjoyable."
Centerstage - Highly Recommended
"...Audiences of all ages will love this musical, whether or not they're familiar with Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" or are fans of Elvis Presley's music. Marc Robin's staging and choreography, along with his multi-talented cast, make for an evening of plain old fun."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"...All Shook Up is no-brainer musical short on story but long on fun, toe-tapping classic rock tunes. It is pure fluff that will leave you smiling with satisfaction. It has heart and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Robin’s production is slick, good looking and well danced. In these troubled times, a night of pure fun, feel-good show will help recharge out batteries."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...Try leaving the Marriott Theatre's latest musical rouser "All Shook Up" without humming "Can't Help Falling in Love" or at least one of the songs popularized by Elvis Presley that inspired the jukebox musical. The Marriott's production is considerably different from the Chicago World Premiere that played the Cadillac Palace Theatre in 2005. The theatre-in-the-round cannot reproduce any of the clever special effects, such as the onstage motorcycle, the trailer park museum with its living and dancing statues, the bicycle and moving train or the angels on cycles that descended from the flies. But it compensates in other areas."
