Apart from recognising a couple of numbers, I knew little about this show prior to arrival at the Birmingham Hippodrome. I’d hurriedly purchased the Broadway Cast soundtrack but in two hearings, very little had sunk in. So, would seeing it live change that?
Crazy for You tells the story of Bobby Child who is sent by his banking mother to foreclose a loan in the backwater town of Deadrock, Nevada. Based on the 1930 Ira/George Gershwin show, Girl Crazy, the story was reworked with a book by Ken Ludwig in 1992 and incorporates songs from several other Gershwin productions.
The first thing of note was the doubling up of band/cast with most instruments played on stage. It’s a method I’ve seen a lot recently and works well, although this time at the loss of huge dance routines. We had a decent opening which continued in an inoffensive manner throughout. Songs like Someone to Watch Over Me, Things are Looking Up and But Not For Me were well delivered but it’s the chorus numbers which make the show. I’ve Got Rhythm is no doubt the best known but equally, Stiff Upper Lip and The Real American Folk Song is a Rag were also enjoyable.
Taking the lead in Crazy for You was Tom Chambers as Bobby with Caroline Flack (Irene), Charlotte Wakefield (Polly) and Neil Ditt (Bela Zangler). My only real criticism would be that the supporting characters lacked depth, making them more forgettable, which is a shame for the actors who did a good job. The script was decent, if a little predictable, but there were several funny moments. My favourite had to be the drunk double scene which (I’m not sure if intentional or not) paid homage to the Marx Brothers mirror scene from Duck Soup.
The ending is a little low key but I still came out of the theatre with the feelgood factor. And next day, I listened to the CD for a third time and on this occasion, found myself reminiscing the show with more familiarity concerning the numbers. Therefore, for me, the show had done its job.
Crazy for You was directed by Paul Hart with musical supervision from Catherine Jayes and choreography, Nathan M Wright.
Cheers.
Antony N Britt - Author 