Crazy for You

Crazy for You is one of my favourite shows, and overall this was a good version. 
The set was well-managed, it was good to see the flow from scene to scene with hardly any blackouts.  Lighting throughout was first-rate, there were some very good and imaginative effects, which enhanced the atmosphere.

Costumes were mostly effective.  Sound was good, after a small blip at the start of the show, no mean feat in the Public Halls to keep the balance between the cast and band on key for the whole show. 

Musically, it was an excellent show.  Beth Thomas had a superb band, with some great harmonies from the cast.  The music was given a slightly swing-style, which suited the score very well.  The overture was a pleasure to listen to.

Choreographically I would have liked to have seen more grouping and not so many straight lines, but the content was good, and mostly suitable for the cast. 

I really liked what Pete Town did with Bobby – he sang the part extremely well and also showed how hard he’d worked to get the dance element to a good level.  I was impressed and liked Bobby very much.  There were some super-quick changes, but they all worked well, and the Zangler beard and moustache stayed very firmly in place, which was great!

I thought Carl Robinson gave us a fine Zangler – he got the feel of the guy, and lots of light and shade in his lib.  It was good to see Carl in a role that he was able to shine in.

Sarah Johnson, in her first role for HLOS, was a charming Polly, with a very nice voice. 

Sarah Nasmyth-Miller did well as Irene – her song Naughty Baby was good. 

Lank was nicely played by Steve Hathaway.  He got the slight menace of Lank, when he wanted to buy the theatre, turning to his astonishment at Irene’s advances. 

I was pleased to note all the gunshots appeared to go off at the right time, and the fight in Act 2 was very well arranged – it looked good, was exciting and everyone ‘died’ very nicely!! 

Mandy Gaines was a super Mrs Child – she looked good and gave the part such meaning in her disdain of Irene, and also Bobby.

Holly Martin-Smith was a very upbeat Tess, I liked the way she played the part, and also danced it.  Dana Hudson was the slightly dim Patsy – again a good characterisation.

Jonathan Field took on the part of Everett, Polly’s father, and did it with his usual accomplishment. 

Louise Thonger and Stephanie Gimblett were the rather posh Fodor sisters, supposedly writing a travel book.  They interacted well, and gave us strong characters, with plenty of expression.

The cowboy trio worked well, very diverse persona’s, both in height and style – John Hope, Andrew Darby and Roger Monson all gave lots of enthusiasm to their music, and made it fun.  I was very impressed with the men’s chorus particularly, their enthusiasm matched the ladies!.

I liked the dancers – Gill Pigram, Kay Ward, Claire Millins, Abi Bedford and Fleur Baikie alongside Dana and Holly, These ladies all looked good together and the dance numbers were mostly effective.

I loved the Bobby/Zangler drinking scene – very good indeed, it worked so well, and was very funny. 

So, all in all a good show, plenty of zest from the cast, who very obviously enjoyed what they were doing and the show in general, with some good directorial decisions from Sam Gaines – including humour, drama, and super sounding band and musical numbers.

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