Crazy For You

Crazy For You is based on the Ken Ludwig book and the music and lyrics of the Gershwin Brothers. It was first staged on Broadway in 1992 and then in the West End a year later. Branded as ‘The New Gershwin Musical’ it pieced together many of the brothers well loved songs and the show was seen as the American rival to all of the good British Musicals that had been written during the previous decade. As with many classic musicals this show has a love story at its heart with difficult circumstances that keep the lovers away from each other. Lies and money also play a part but as with most shows of this kind there is always a happy ending. Along with this love story are the happenings in the American town of Deadrock during the 1930’s depression. The owner of the once successful Gaiety Theatre no longer has enough money to pay the mortgage and faces having the property repossessed by the Bank. A young banker from New York who desperately wants to be on the stage is sent to serve the notice on the theatre. This storyline intertwines the main cast and causes the young lovers to fall for each other, although not everyone is who they appear to be. This is due to the ‘want to be star’ impersonating a big American director.  This director turns up in Deadrock and helps save the theatre, in the end people realise who their true loves are and everyone is reunited.

Blackburn Musical Theatre Society did a grand job at staging this musical. The endless dance routines, the need for a youthful cast and countless scene changes which jump from place to place are just a few of the dilemmas which face anybody trying to produce this show, and the society with did this ease. All people involved with this show should be proud of their efforts and be content with the standard of production that they have managed to achieve.

The show opened at Zangler’s Theatre in New York with the fabulous Follies tapping in bright colourful costumes which provided a lively start to the show. This well paced scene set a president for the rest of the show and never did a scene seem to drag or feel rushed. This scene soon changed to the outside of the theatre and then took us on a train journey to Deadrock, Nevada. This is where we stayed until the end of the first act although in different locations in this town. The first half basically tells the story and sets the scene for what will happen in the second half.  Some amazing characterisations developed through this act which they managed to maintain until the end of the show. This half finished with the very well known song ‘I Got Rhythm’ which gave the audience a song to hum along to during the interval. The dance routine to this number was well rehearsed and we saw the whole company tapping which is rare for any company, professional or amateur.

The second half saw most of the action take place, making everyone sit up in their seats and give their full attention to what was happening on stage. This half contained what was our most favourite and memorable section of the show. This was the number ‘What Causes That?’ This song is where the young ‘want to be star’ dressed as the big American producer, meets the man himself and they both impersonate each other as if they were looking in a mirror. This number was pulled off to perfection with both precision and split second timing. Acknowledgment needs to be given to the choreography and direction of this number as well as the actors themselves. This half progressed with high emotions and leaving the audience thinking there is no hope left. After a surprise change in events, the fate of all changed and the show finished with a great finale. The cast dressed in navy and silver with gems and sequins and the effective use of confetti cannons created a fabulous spectacle to end the show.

The set throughout was effective with adequate changes which happened swiftly. The numerous changes assisted the audience to follow what was happening on stage, as the scenes do seem to jump in time and location a lot but the stage direction was done superbly. The lighting was superb throughout and the props were fitting for the time period which the show was set in including the authentic firearms.

As previously mentioned the show has a huge amount of dance numbers which required a lot of choreography, the cast should be commended due to the sheer amount of steps they needed to learn and being able to perform them with enthusiasm. Careful consideration was also needed with the movement of the choreography and the shapes the cast could make due to a large cast performing on a relatively small stage; this was obviously thought about and could be seen throughout all the dance numbers. We have already mentioned costumes but throughout the whole show they were colourful and well fitted and definitely added to the aesthetic appearance of the show.

Overall Blackburn Musical Theatre Company managed to do justice to a show which is difficult to stage. Everyone who attended was impressed with the standard of production and had an enjoyable evening of entertainment. We would like to thank the society for their kind hospitality and we look forward to seeing their next production.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.