4 STARS, May 15-19. Jane McGowan drifts back to Depression-hit Nevada to enjoy this toe-tapping classic
Crazy for You is one of those 1930s shows where the plot is so flimsy you know exactly how it will end after about eight minutes in. But the Gershwin melodies, dance routines, and sheer exuberance of the cast mean that the plot doesn’t really matter that much in a show that is solely designed to lift the spirits and ensure you leave the theatre feeling good.
Starting out in 1930 as Girl Crazy, the show, with such wonderful numbers as ‘But Not for Me’, ‘I Got Rhythm’ and ‘Embraceable You’, was unsurprisingly a huge Broadway smash. In the 1990s the whole production was given an overhaul, alongside an updated plot, it was renamed Crazy for You and had several more Gershwin classics added.
Rich kid Bobby Child is eschewing the drudgery of his mother’s bank (and his overbearing fiancée) for life as a hoofer. When he finds out the family firm is about to shut down a Nevada theatre, he seizes his chance and heads out West, to save the playhouse and realise his dream of becoming a dancer.
The theatre is of course, run by a feisty young woman who while initially rejecting Bobby’s affections cannot resist him when he returns (thinly) disguised as hotshot Hungarian producer Bela Zandler. All is going well until yes, you’ve guessed it, the real Zandler arrives along with Bobby’s furious fiancée.
As is the wont of many touring productions at the minute, the musical is led by two recognisable names. Tom Chambers (Holby City, Strictly) does well as Bobby the affable ‘young’ wannabe, but even taking in the screwball nature of the piece, I found his performance a little arch, as he gurns his way through some of the cornier lines. His masterful tapping is a great plus though. Claire Sweeney is a little wasted as the man-eating fiancée who conveniently finds love with Dead Rock’s baddie Lank Hawkins. And when her big number comes in the second act, she grabs her moment with a bit too much gusto, leaving the audience a bit bewildered as to what has just happened and why. Charlotte Wakefield as the gutsy Polly is a joy and perfectly cast – her singing, dancing and comic timing always impressive.
The ensemble works incredibly hard, not only providing high-kicks and harmonies but also playing all the instruments too. There is some wonderful musicianship (and acting, I must add) from Hollie Cassar as Tess and Ned Rudkins-Stow - whose bass playing in the fantastic ‘Slap That Bass’ was breathtaking. I must also give a special mention to Seren Sandham-Davis as the dippy showgirl Patsy who lit up the stage every time she appeared, perfectly capturing the spirit of the Gershwin era.
If you like your musicals fun and frothy with fantastic footwork and age-defying tunes – then Crazy for You is… well, for you!
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