Crazy for You

This was the first time I had seen ‘Crazy for You’ with music and Lyrics written by George and Ira Gershwin so I did not know what to expect.  I was not at all disappointed this show is a happy uplifting extravaganza. The story revolves around Bobby Child the son of a rich banker who just wants to be a dancer, but unfortunately he does not have much success. His mother sends him to Dead Rock to foreclose on the local theatre where he meets Polly the theatre owner’s daughter and falls instantly in love with her; however at first his feelings are not reciprocated. Bobby decides to impress Polly by putting on a show to save the theatre. Polly isn’t keen on the idea so he decides to disguise himself as Bela Zangler the famous theatre director and brings Zangler’s dancers the Follies Girls to Dead Rock to help him, hoping to change her mind. Unfortunately Polly falls in love with this Zangler and just as Bobbly is trying to tell her who he is the real Bela Zangler arrives. The show goes ahead but is a disaster as nobody comes to see it, so the company vote not to do another one. Bobby leaves for New York, however the real Zangler sees the potential of putting on another show, and Polly becomes his star but she misses Bobby and Bobbly misses her, so the story ends with them all reunited in Dead Rock.  This show centres very much on dance so innovative and slick choreography is very important to the success of this production. Many of the dance numbers involved big tap routines by the Follies Girls who sparkled with energy and enthusiasm; there was some very intricate foot work which I noted was all in time. The ‘I've Got Rhythm’ number which involved most of the cast was quite long (I was told 9 minutes) and it must have taken some thought, organisation and allot of rehearsal. Generally there is a propensity for this type of production number to become a little boring, but this was not the case as I really enjoyed watching it. Congratulations must go to choreographer Gaynor Hale for her very happy, enjoyable and energetic choreography.
 There were some very good performances by the cast in the show lead by Matthew Casson as Bobby Child who was the epitome of the handsome leading man, he sang well and coped with the dance routines very well. Kate McHenry as Polly Baker sang her songs with feeling and tenderness she also acted well with Matthew making them a believable couple. Les Gomersall as Bela Zangler gave us a very good comedy performance, his double act with Matthew Casson when Bobby was pretending to be Zangler was very funny indeed. Leslie Longley as  Lank Hawkins, Irene Roth as Laura Wade, Tony Adamson as Everett Baker and Claudia Molyneux as Tess  all gave very secure enjoyable comedic performances. Carol Kennedy and Bob Cleverly as Patricia and Eugene Fodor the British tourists made a very good comedy double act and Christine McCabe as Lottie Bobby's mother was suitably authoritative. The chorus and Cowboys appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and they also gave us some of their own very comedic characterisation, the two little boy Cowboys were very confident, and were really likable.
 The Orchestra conducted by Musical Director Nick Montague played very well. Well done to stage manager Pete Beswick and all the crew including lighting and sound. The costumes were very colourful and added to this bright happy show.
Congratulations to Director Betty Hall for a very happy uplifting evening’s entertainment I was singing I got rhythm in my head all the way home.

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