Crazy for You
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Tuesday 8th - Saturday 12th June 2004
Box Office: 01752 267222
Gershwins Greatest Hits Crazy for You isnt actually a genuine Gershwin musical, but rather a loose remake of 'Girl Crazy' enhanced with some of George and Iras greatest compositions from other shows.
Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were the stars of Girl Crazy but its Astaire and Rogers that are synonymous with many of Gershwins songs. Before the curtain even rises the band rattled at breakneck speed through an overture of the shows hits, giving us just a little taster of whats in store.
The lights dim and were backstage at the Zangler Theatre in New York. Mark Wynter is unrecognisable under wig and beard as Bela Zangler, the impresario, and although his role is small in the first act, he more than makes up for that in the second half! The plot line is quickly laid out and Bobby Child, the wealthy banking heir who longs to dance, is sent of to Deadrock, Nevada to reclaim debt owed by the Gaiety Theatres owner.
Abandoning his fiancée and glad to escape her clutches, Bobby staggers into hicksville and falls for feisty local lass, Polly Baker....the theatre owners daughter! Comedy "Double" Act Darren Bennett, as Bobby Child, is a star performer who was last in Plymouth in 'Singin in the Rain'. His dancing has the ease and grace of the masters he is parodying and he can certainly sing.
But he also has a charm that is irresistible and gets the opportunity to show us his comic genius in his brilliant and perfectly timed mirror image sketch with Mr Wynter.  | | Bungling Brits - Christopher Beeny and Sue Hodge. |
Both dressed as Zangler, in outrageous suit, wig and beard, Bennett and Wynter had the whole house in fits of laughter as they get falling down drunk together in their slapstick routine.
A cynical audience would say was old fashioned but I prefer to think of a tribute to past comedy masters and a style that is still alive and kicking in panto today. Sue Hodge and Christopher Beeny arrive in Deadrock as the Fodors - hysterical bungling Brits in safari outfits, ready to show those Yanks how to keep a stiff upper lip.
The whole audience loved them and diminutive Mrs. Fodor reminded me of wee Jimmie Crankie! The Tingle Factor Melanie Stace as Polly gets to sing one of my absolute all time favourite songs. One that is always on my tingle Factor list.
Although I prefer Ellas ultra slow and mellifluous version of "Someone to Watch over Me" for this big stage number Melanie delivered it brilliantly.
Her vocal range hitting just the right note. Sadly she has to appear for most of the show in slightly boring frocks but that just makes her appearance in the dazzling white sequins and feather finale frock so much more glamorous. They Got Rhythm.... The chorus do much more than just support the leads. They sing and dance up a storm making the frantic tap routines look easy and so much fun.
The girls look great in their extremely colourful frocks as well as in their scanty "follies" confections, and Moose and his pals provide extra laughs all night. Initially I thought this was going to be a cheap touring production, but I was wrong. The sets are clever, the costumes are varied and each and every performer including the musicians worked very hard to entertain us.
Their reward was effusive applause and cheers but even more than that the audience left buzzing.
Nobody seemed to rush off and the foyer was noisy as everyone chatted and laughed. They had been entertained and uplifted. Gershwins appeal is still strong but it was the company who brought his songs to life. Thanks. Crazy for You
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Tuesday 8th - Saturday 12th June 2004
Box Office: 01752 267222  | write your own review... |  |
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Wonderful set and costumes. Very colourful - Mike, Noss Mayo
