Crazy for you

“Crazy for You” is a musical of older genre that was performed by this youth theatre group with gusto and grace befitting of any cast. The story of “Bobby”, the wannabe show man from New York, hen-pecked by mother and fiancé, whose family send him to Deadrock, Nevada to close a theatre, ends up impersonating the big producer “Zangler” to hide his real identity in order to produce a show and save the town’s theatre form his closure. Life gets suddenly complicated when all doesn’t go to plan, when crowds don’t arrive to see the show but the real Zangler does.

The 12 piece orchestra added a rich sound underneath their singing and their dancing was done with energy and joy. The set was well designed and painted, with lovely cloths and colours, delightful reversible trucks even with wobbles and movements that the cast coped around with ease, and all moved in the many scene changes so slickly that the show flowed well. Costumes were great, colourful, stylish to the era, and well designed.

The 10 principals, 4 cameos, 10 dancing Follies, all gave great character in their performance and accurate accents to each as required. The remaining chorus members added to their role with effervescent energy, super singing volumes and delightful dancing, not easily done with such a full company on a small stage. The numbers “Slap that Bass”, “I got Rhythm”, “Stiff Upper Lip”, and “Finale” were particularly noted for their great sound, energy and choreography. So well-rehearsed and lovely to watch. 

Bobby was played well by Theo Greening, the opening number with the follies girls was a lovely tap number, the duet “Embraceable you“ with Polly, performed by Ella Smith, was a lovely number by both, and his characterisation of Zangler was very clever. The two Zanglers song in second half was a great comedy piece by both. Polly, who had a stunning voice, in her solo “Someone to watch over me”, delightful dancing and good accent throughout was a great performance throughout the show, well done Ella. Bella Zangler was played by Harry Gates with a great European accent held throughout and nice character too.

Irene the demanding Fiancé was a lovely performance from Anna Robertson, and again with good characterisation.  “Lank” the Saloon owner and suitor to Polly too, was nicely portrayed by Mackenzie Proll, as the loud and uncouth western cowboy he was fierce and great character throughout. “Patsy” the dumb bimbo dancer was a great comedy character from Emma Kelly, a true American cliché. Joe Morton and Ella Taylor as the two English tourists were so “awfully clever” with their accents and great comedy roles too.  Georgia Williams as “Elspeth”, Polly’s Mother was a good gentle character and lovely voice in her reprise of “Things are looking up”. Jenny Coatsworth as “Lottie Child” as the overbearing mother of Bobby was super character. “Tess” was played by Kate O’Brien, and did very well as the plagued love interest from married Zangler, and who danced beautifully as lead girl of the Follies.  Cameos roles from Joanne Mitchell as “Mingo”, Lauren MacDonald as “Sam” the singing cowboys singing with “Moose” (Jonny Oakley) in lovely harmonies for “Bidin’ my Time”,  all added to their roles well too.  Moose singing in “Slap that Bass” number was a joy to watch with lovely facial expressions and character.  “The Follies” dancing girls gave the show the pizazz, with beautiful costumes and great tap dancing.  Well done choreography team.

A lovely show and well done to all, on stage and back stage.

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