Crazy for you

Crazy For You is a romantic musical comedy with the book by Ken Kudwig, music by George Gershwin and lyics by Ira Gershwin.  It is largely based on the songwriting team's 1930's musical Girl Crazy.  It also incorporates songs from other productions as well.  The show opened on Broadway on 1st Januery 1992 and in the West end at the Prince Edward Theatre 3rd March 1993 and ran for almost three years.

Bobby Childs works as a banker for his overbearing bossy mother Lottie, but spends all his out of work hours practicing dance routines.  His fiancee is insisting on him naming the day, so when his mother sends him to investigate a customer who has defaulted on a mortgage out of town,  in a small place called "Deadrock" Nevada he grabs the opportunity to get away.  He discovers the mortgage is for an old decaying beautiful theatre.

Bobby Childs, (Daniel Mann) sings and dances his way through with enthusiastic energy, the girl he falls in love with Polly Baker, (Charlotte Jones) was very strong vocally and they complimented each other extremely well.  There were convincing portrayals from Lank Hawkins, (Ryan Jones) saloon proprietor and Everett Barker, (Robert Burns) Polly's father.  Bele Zangler the famous producer, (Iain Harknett) produced an excellent character match to Bobby, they looked just like twins as they mirror imaged each other.  The intrepid traveller's Eugene and Patricia Foder, (Les Smith and Josephine Owen) were spot on with their comic timing and held the audience's attention with their very funny antics.

Bobby's mother and his fiancee Irene, along with all the other smaller roles were well cast, Tess, Dance Director, who also choreographed the production, (Georgia Hitch) was a delight to watch.

I liked the way all the scenes were projected on to the backcloth it helped the show to move along at a good pace.  I did feel the Orchestra was a little loud in places, but it was the first night.

The small company worked very hard on this ambitious production and produced an excellent evening's entertainment.  Congratulations to all involved both on and off stage.

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