Crazy For You
Crazy For You, a romantic comedy inspired by the songs of George and Ira Gershwin, now playing at Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck and directed by Amiee Turner, is a fun, stylish production that is light on substance but heavy on glitz, glamour and other essential ingredients of good, old-fashioned musical theater--classic tunes, sensational dance numbers and costumes to die for.
Winner of the 1992 Tony Award for Best Musical and largely based on the legendary songwriting duo’s 1930 production, Girl Crazy, Crazy For You tells the story of Bobby Child (Sean Montgomery), the privileged son of a New York banking family who dreams of dancing on Broadway. When we meet Bobby, he is desperate to impress renowned theater owner, Bela Zangler (Ira Denmark), and unsure about his five-year engagement to high society member, Irene Roth (Chelsea Witiak).
A reluctant Bobby soon finds himself bound for the little-known town of Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a piece of real estate that was once a performance venue. There he meets and instantly falls for Polly Baker (Laurie Hymes), the one remaining girl in Deadrock, whose father, Everett (John Baker), owns a rundown theater where he and his late wife used to perform. Bobby convinces the townspeople to put on a show to help raise money, all the while hiding the fact that his family sent him there to seize the property. When Polly learns who he really is, she wants nothing more to do with him, so the determined Bobby disguises himself as Zangler, because the show, after all, must go on.
The ensuing farce is not only predictable but also unimportant, because the plot plays second fiddle to the singing (the playlist features such American standards as "Embraceable You," Someone to Watch Over Me," and "I Got Rhythm"), Broadway-caliber dance routines, masterfully recreated by Barbara Hartwig, and scenic designer Kenneth Martin’s multitude of sets, which include replicas of the Old West, vintage Broadway and even a classic, life-size automobile. Brad Musgrove’s sparkling costumes also deserve special mention for paying tribute to the era.
Montgomery is a do-no-wrong natural who shines on stage in his portrayal of Bobby Child. Hynes holds her own as Polly, delivering an especially memorable rendition of "Embraceable You" with her co-star. Supporting players who stand out among the ensemble are Andreas De Rond as hotel owner and Polly admirer, Lank Hawkins, and Nate Suggs and Kate Arthur as overseas tourists Eugene and Patricia Fodor. The entire cast works extremely well together and clearly has a knack for musical theater, as well as physical comedy.
Crazy For You is an overall delight chock full of talent, nostalgia and remarkable energy.
Crazy For You runs through July 11 at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck. For tickets and show times, visit www.theatrebythesea.com or call (401)782-8587.
