Ken Ludwig’s book combines with Gershwin Brothers’ tunes for a fun night at the show
Musicals are often sappy love stories, and while Crazy for You is surely that too (in a good way), it’s a whole lot more. I’m not sure the last time I laughed so much at a musical, and this one is full of clever humor and lots of physical hijinks guaranteed to make anyone laugh out loud. Check it out now through April 7 at The Candlelight Dinner Playouse in Johnstown.
Directed by Steve Wilson, Crazy for You is the story of New Yorker and wannabe dancing star Bobby Child (Matthew Dailey). He must fulfill his banker mother’s wishes and travel to Deadrock Nevada to foreclose on what he soon learns is a defunct theatre. Who is it that owns and wishes to keep that theatre? You guessed it, our feisty love interest Polly Baker (Sara Kowalski).
The two fall in love and back out of it just as quickly when Polly learns why Bobby is in Deadrock. This leads Bobby to devise a plan to save the theatre and win Polly back. What follows involves the town of Deadrock — the cowboys are recruited to become dancers, and a few New Yorkers as well — and the dancers from Bela Zangler Follies use their vacation to help Bobby out. They’ll put on a show to save the theatre. Simple, right?
Kowalski as Polly brings a spunky charm that endears herself to the audience, while Dailey pulls double duty to ensure Bobby’s (or is it Zangler’s) plan goes off without a hitch. The two have a fun and natural chemistry on stage that leaves the audience rooting for them till the end.
Conducted by Richard Shore, the pit orchestra carries the show along with booming renditions of such familiar and nostalgic Gershwin songs as “I Got Rhythm,” “Embraceable You” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” The orchestra also plays a sound-effects role in all the physical comedy within this musical.
My favorite of these scenes is when a drunken Bobby must find a way to navigate the not-exactly-tricky set of stairs from his hotel room down to the saloon. Complemented by the live music and sound effects, this small act is hilarious.
Adding to all the fun of this outrageous production is the ever-changing set. One moment we’re in the town square with the facades of the theatre-cum-post office and the saloon complete with a second floor balcony, the next we’re inside the saloon where the townsfolk are having a shoot-out (and giving Bobby a heart attack) and drinking lots of whisky.
The costumes change even more often than the sets, with each one brighter and more elaborate than the next. Each lends itself beautifully to the choreography of Shawna Walker to give Crazy for You a big Broadway feel. There are whole cast numbers that leave you wondering just how it all comes together, especially when part of the time our players are rehearsing for the show within the show.
I just had so much fun at this show and the excitement could be felt throughout the grand theatre. There were lots of shouts and ongoing laughter from the audience adding to the energy of the production. If you’re ready for a feel-good love story with music you’ll instantly recall and dance numbers to thrill you, Crazy for You is just the show for you.
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