Taking the stage at the Paradise this month, with one more weekend to catch the show, is “Crazy for You” a joyous romp of a musical that won all the best musical awards from Broadway, London and Toronto that year.
Presented by Paradise Community Theatre, “Crazy For You!” features music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin, book by Ken Ludwig. The musical is directed by Rachel Haider with music direction by Will McIntyre and choreography by Mary Hahn and Megan Proft.
Haider explained that even though the music is by classic jazz composers George and Ira Gershwin, “Crazy for You” is considered a “new” romantic comedy musical. “The story line is based on Gershwin’s 1930 musical called Girl Crazy,” she said. “But, a new spunky book was written by Ken Ludwig in 1992. Paired with some of the best Gershwin songs ever written, the amazing score includes songs like “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “Embraceable You,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
The 25-member cast hails from Faribault, Northfield, Owatonna, and surrounding communities.
The leads are Nicky Hosterman, playing Bobby Child, and Hannah Johnson, playing Polly Baker. They are supported by Steve Lawler, Brandon Noble, Lily Roehrick, Paul Sequin, Birch Carlson, Isaac Udelhofen, Kate Southwick, Tania Legvold, Tricia Murphy, Carson Bechtel, Evra Beiser, Kyra Reverman, Dick Brown, Zeke Brooks, Matt Drenth, Amber Holven, Dean Lamp, Bill Mark, Will McIntyre, Kimberly Paczosa, Rob Thompson and Larry Tolle.
Hosterman said during a dress rehearsal Wednesday night that compared to other ensemble performances he’s experienced in “Les Miserables” and “The Miracle Worker,” this show was “a blast.” “This cast is fantastic and the show is really fun,” he said.
Johnson, a veteran of Northfield Arts Guild Theater productions, said this was her first time performing on the Paradise Theater stage.
“All our hard work is paying off,” said Johnson. “This is a wonderful, funny, creative team. I think the audiences are going to love the vintage jukebox music.”
Will McIntyre, music director, said that this group of talented actors, many of whom were quite familiar with the stage, made it easy to bring the classic Gershwin songs to life. “While we’ve got a few actors new to our stage, there are many from Northfield who seem to have music in their bones,” he said.
Mary Hahn and Megan Proft, who choreographed all original dances for the musical, said they usually let the music inform the dance moves. “We try not to look at what other producers have done,” said Hahn. Once the production is cast, Profit explained they “use the skills, talents and abilities of the actors to compose the dance moves.”
Hahn and Profit joked that they should name their collaborations M and M Productions since they have now worked together on 8 to 10 productions since first meeting, and choreographing each other, in 2006.
Haider said that directing a musical with a large 25-person cast has been joyful. “From our very first rehearsal back in May, this has been a vibrant, fun-loving cast,” she said. “They are both enthusiastic and conscientious. Truly, I love how they laugh together as they work and support each other with everything from a comical bar room brawl, to elegant dance steps.”
The Ken Ludwig-crafted story at first follows a traditional path: a zany rich-boy-meets-hometown-girl, but then veers into a romantic comedy when the action takes place in Deadrock, Nevada where Bobby Child is sent to foreclose on a fundown theater.
In Deadrock, Bobby falls for spunky Polly Baker, the theater owner’s daughter. But Polly takes an instant dislike to the city slicker, so Bobby vows – through cunning, razzmatazz, and a hilarious case of mistaken identity – to win Polly’s heart and save the theater. The score includes quite a few memorable Gershwin tunes: “I Got Rhythm,” “Naughty Baby,” “Embraceable You,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
Steve Lawler, who plays Bela Zangler, said since Bela is a comic character, every scene he’s in is a lot of fun. “This is showcased in Act II, when he and Bobby (played by Nicky Hosterman) have a scene and a song that employ some pretty impressive clowning skills,” said Lawler. “I can’t wait for people to come and see it!”
Brandon Noble plays the role of Lank Hawkins, the antagonist in the musical. Noble said there are a lot of moving parts with a musical this large. We’ve gone from learning dances, songs, lines, when and where to be, and now it’s putting it all together as our character.
Noble added that he particularly enjoys the large song and dance numbers in the show he gets to be a part of. “Even though myself (and Lank) might not be the best at either, my friends up there with me are, and it is an absolute blast,” he said.
Director Haider said she hopes audiences will love the musical that she calls both silly and sophisticated.
“’Crazy for You’ feels like the classic musicals I grew up with,” she said. “There’s romance, glamour, slapstick comedy, and countless high-energy song and dance numbers to keep your toes tapping and a sweet smile on your face.”
IF YOU GO Remaining performances of “Crazy for You” are scheduled for July 18, 19, 20 at 7:30 p.m.; and July 21 at 2 p.m. For tickets, go online to paradisecenterforthearts.org or contact the box office. 1c393886-a111-41cb-bd57-d25ac91a1b27
Most Popular
Comments / 0