GERALDINE McKinnis couldn't be more excited for this year's Ararat Musical Comedy Society production.
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The musical will bring Elvis Presley to life with All Shook Up, a musical exclusively featuring his music and written by Joe DiPietro.
Ms McKinnis normally sticks to behind the scenes roles, and was prop manager in the Society's 2019 production of Les Miserables, but this year she will be front and centre in her blue suede shoes to audition.
Her love of Elvis dates back to babyhood.
"My earliest memory was sitting in front of the television with my older brother, and he would record the songs on tape and we would just sit there and watch him," she said.
Her burning love for Elvis has endured over the years and Ms McKinnis has a large collection of Elvis memorabilia.
Unfortunately the family is not quite as on-board the Mystery Train as Ms McKinnis.
"It drives my kids crazy. They say 'no, you're not having that in the loungeroom."
Some of Geraldine McKinnis' memorabilia:
Ms McKinnis named her two favourite Elvis songs - A Little Less Conversation and Burning Love, which both feature in the show - but said it was simply everything about the legend she loved.
"His style, his charisma, his voice - ever since I was young I've loved him," she said.
"It's opened up a whole new world for me. I've made new friends all over Australia and we go and see tribute shows. We're keeping him alive."
Meanwhile, the audience won't be able to help falling in love with the production itself, which tells the story of a young rebel who shakes up a sleepy conservative town.
"Love interests go on, there's a very conservative, puritan mayor and she keeps the town very morally strong to the point of extreme," Society president Grant Johnson said.
"Then the rebel comes in and shakes it up a bit. It's in the style of footloose and the great thing about the show is it's all the songs of Elvis Presley being used.
"The roustabout is a bit little bit Elvis, a little bit James Dean ... a bit of a solo warrior. He broadens their horizons."
The Society will hold an information night on Tuesday at the Ararat 800 school in the multipurpose room, starting at 7.30pm.
Anyone interested in being involved, whether as cast or production crew, is welcome to attend. People will also be able to book auditions.
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