HERRIMAN, Utah – Herriman High School’s production of “All Shook Up” will go on, with some modifications, after a parent’s complaint derailed the project earlier this week.
The controversy started when one parent complained the production was sexually inappropriate and the Jordan School District pulled the plug.
On Thursday, school officials and the play’s publisher found that satisfies everyone. The students can perform the musical as long as some parts are edited.
"All Shook Up" is modern adaptation of a Shakespeare play featuring Elvis Presley`s music. One of the scenes and songs triggered a complaint from an anonymous parent.
“There were some areas of concern in that play that didn't meet community values and didn't meet the standards we had in a revised district drama policy,” said Jordan District spokesperson Sandy Riesgraf.
“When they said we wouldn`t have the play everyone was bummed,” said drama student Orion Lessig.
The school district originally approved the play before changing its drama policy in August.
School officials say they wanted the show to go on but editing the play would’ve violated copyright law so they cancelled it altogether.
However, when district officials called the publisher to get a refund on the licensing fee, “They were the ones that made an offer to us that it would be alright to make the changes we wanted without being in violation of copyright law. We didn't know that was an option on the table so we are thrilled,” said Riesgraf.
“My thought is compromise works everytime, all the time,” said drama student Eric Olsen.
So hips will swivel to "All Shook Up" but there will be one less song to shake it to. One of the songs will be cut and some scenes will be rewritten.
“As long as they don`t change too much of it, I think it`s pretty cool,” said drama student Emily Graves.
