BWW Previews: CRAZY FOR YOU at Theater In The Park

What's better than a Gershwin tune? A lot of Gershwin tunes - and that's what audiences will get with the delightful musical "Crazy For You" at Theater in the Park beginning Friday, June 16 for a seven-performance run.

"Crazy For You" is an updated 1992 version of a 1930 Gershwin original called "Girl Crazy." Stage mad banker, young Bobby Child is backstage at New York's Zangler Theater to audition for a part in their next show. It looks like Bobby may just make it, until he trips over Mr. Zangler's foot and blows his big chance.

Dejected, Bobby goes back to his family's bank. He is assigned to foreclose on a rundown theater out in a Nevada mining town. The owner of the theater, Everett Baker, learns by letter that foreclosure is coming. His daughter Polly vows revenge on whoever comes to foreclose. Of course, Bobby is that person and of course, he falls in love with Polly. Because Polly has no use for a banker, Bobby masquerades as Mr. Zangler and offers to put on a show to pay off the mortgage.

Absolutely out the blue, the chorus line from Zangler's have gone on vacation from New York and landed magically out in a Nevada mining time. The road to true love never runs smooth and complications ensue. "Crazy For You" is high energy and fast-paced.

The show is directed by Kevin Bogan. Musical director is Matt Richardson who also conducts the orchestra with Valerie Martin as choreographer. "Crazy for You" is truly one of the last "old-fashioned" song and dance musicals," Bogan said. "With over 12 major production numbers, it is perhaps the most danceable musical ever...and takes the audience back to a simpler time when romance conquered everything!"

"Crazy For You" features music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin with a book by Ken Ludwig. The show features such memorable Gershwin tunes as "I Got Rhythm", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and "Someone To Watch Over Me."

This all singing, dancing Gershwin classic musical runs through Sunday, June 18, and continues Wednesday, June 21 through Saturday, June 24. The box office opens at 6 p.m. and the gates to the seating bowl open at 6:30 p.m.; the show begins at 8:30 p.m. "Crazy For You" is rated PG.

Photo courtesy of Theater in the Park.