(Enlarge) David Jennings as Chad leaves the “Jailhouse Rock” behind and sets heads spinning at the “Heartbreak Hotel” in “All Shook Up,” a jukebox musical based on the Elvis Presley songbook now at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. (Photo by Kirstine Christiansen)

Why is Toby's Dinner Theatre still going strong after 29 years in Columbia? One reason is that it's not afraid to try something new.

Sometime last season the little theater that dared to stage "A Chorus Line" in the round and mounted a "Sunday in the Park With George" that even left Stephen Sondheim struggling for words carved out this fresh mission for itself: Find a nostalgic "jukebox musical" that will appeal to all ages.

The result, "All Shook Up," must have appeared like a bolt from the "Blue Suede Shoes" division of Broadway. It actually ran 213 performances there back in 2005. Half "Grease," half "Footloose" and the other half "Twelfth Night," this nutty confection brings the diverse Elvis Presley songbook to young and old alike by mixing romance and rebels with "Burning Love," raw yearning and a dash of gender-bending fantasy.

There are no Elvis impersonators in this show, but the old "Hound Dog" spirit wags everyone at Toby's, thanks to frisky direction by Toby Orenstein and Larry Munsey.

Even by its own dim literary lights, "All Shook Up" is no great shakes as a play, despite having cribbed its premise from the great Shakespeare. Here a tight little community is thrown for a loop by romantic spells and deceptions caused not by potions but by the arrival of a magical, leather-jacketed drifter known as "The Roustabout."

We meet "The Roustabout," who also answers to the name of Chad, leading the whole cell block through a little "Jailhouse Rock." No sooner is he sprung than Chad hops on his motorcycle and takes off for parts unknown, getting only as far as an unnamed Midwest town before his cycle requires mechanical intervention.

The sight of Chad charges the battery of tomboyish grease monkey Natalie, who follows him over to Sylvia's Honky Tonk, where they find all the locals nursing a whole hotel's worth of heartbreaks just twitching to check out.

Will Natalie's plot to impersonate a boy in order to get closer to the Roustabout pan out? What will become of the secret crushes of Chad's nerdy sidekick Dennis and the wrapped-tight-as-a-mummy lady down at the town museum?

On a political level: Can anyone free the people from the oppressive moral judgments of Mayor Matilda? And will Natalie come to her senses in time, cast her vote for true liberation and ... leave ... Chad ... hanging?

None of these questions would matter a whit if they weren't entertaining, and here "All Shook Up" is blessed by the return of award-winning choreographer Ilona Kessell. Kessell knows how to enliven a routine step with a pause, or join together random hip twists into a fresh stage pattern. She is constantly redefining the show with her own catalogue of creative touches that keep the stageside spectators tuned in.

Most of the play is told with a few movable stage pieces, but a fixed amusement park backdrop merits extra kudos for designer Richard Montgomery. The production is also well served by the sound and lighting designs of Drew Dedrick and Lynn Joslin, respectively.

Multiple award-winner Douglas P. Lawler sees that the live music flows smoothly and forcefully out from his uniquely elevated perch. Thanks to Lawler's musical direction, the cast is always in tune with the hip thrusts of the lively score.

As Chad, David Jennings nails the broader comedy shadings of his role even while raising the temperature of the house with "Roustabout," "Burning Love" and the title tune. Lauren Spencer-Harris makes a nice pairing for him as Natalie -- impish and endearing with a singing voice that proves three times her size in "Follow That Dream" and "Fools Fall in Love."

Comical David James adds some ticklish sight gags to the fun as the endearing sidekick, Dennis. James also helps turn the deliciously twisted DNA strand of "Hound Dog" and "Teddy Bear" into one of the score's more intelligent designs.

Two of the biggest solo voices in the cast belong to Genevieve Williams as Sylvia and Shaunte Tabb as her daughter, Lorraine. Both ladies capitalize on the R&B slant of the score and nearly stop the show with their breakout choruses of "Heartbreak Hotel," "It's Now or Never" and "That's All Right."

Toby's veteran trooper Andrew Horn finally gets a chance to pitch some romantic woo and tug at our hearts as Jim, and he makes the most of it. Others distinguishing themselves in supporting roles are Tamarin K. Lawler, Lynn Sigler, Jeffrey Shankle and Daniel L. McDonald.

Despite an implicit plea for more tolerance in society, the only thing serious about "All Shook Up" is the serious case of uncontrolled foot-tapping that is bound to ensue. You have been warned.

"All Shook Up" continues at Toby's -- The Dinner Theatre of Columbia (5900 Symphony Woods Road) through Aug. 24. Ticket prices -- ranging from $44 to $49 for adults depending on performance, with discounts for children 12 and younger -- include parking, a wide-ranging hot dinner buffet, salad and dessert bars. Reservations are required at 410-730-8311 or 410-995-1969. For show times and other information, go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

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