A rock 'n' roll musical is nothing without its music, and a "wonderful line-up of musicians" has been assembled to play the hits of Elvis Presley, the musical director of All Shook Up says.
Cheryl Collie marshals and performs with fellow keyboardist Mark Wilson, trumpeters Trevor Tattersfield and Martin Wightman, tenor saxophonist Jared Anderson, baritone saxophonist Paul Frude, guitarist Roger Crow, bass player Bill Somerville and drummer Peter Doyle in the latest Showbiz Queenstown production, which opens on May 19.
"They are excited about playing this show because it's so much fun to play," Mrs Collie said, yesterday, before the first full orchestral rehearsal this Easter.
"My job at the moment, as far as the cast are concerned, is rehearsal pianist and my focus is on the band.
"I consider myself primarily a musician and the most exciting part is performing with the band, or orchestra. The most satisfying part is the final end result, when you get the singing, music and band all together as one unit."
The musical director was responsible for all aspects of music, from joining director Bryan Aitken in selecting the 27-strong cast in February, the five weeks of rehearsing the 26 songs with the performers, to finding the best blend of disciplined and committed Wakatipu musicians and co-ordinating them with scenery and lighting changes.
The Invercargill-born Queenstown resident of 27 years was taught to play the piano by her musical parents at the age of 5.
She first performed on stage in the southern city at 17 and has been involved in musical theatre ever since.
The committee and life member was involved in the past 20 Showbiz Queenstown productions and was musical director of the past 12, starting with Godspell and including Cabaret, Grease, Hair, Nunsense and Jesus Christ Superstar.
She was also rehearsal pianist and an orchestra member, playing either keyboard or piano, as well as a member of the choral group Viva Cantata and barbershop singers the Bellebirds.
"Once musical theatre gets in your blood, it's very hard to resist the lure of the stage and being part of the team," she said.
