Seat: Circle, G47 | Show: Wednesday 12th July Matinee
Following a successful run at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2022, Susan Stroman’s critically acclaimed revival of Crazy for You has recently opened in London’s West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. This musical, while harkening back to the golden age of classic Hollywood musicals, was first seen in 1992 and takes on the iconic music of George and Ira Gershwin that we all know and love (conducted beautifully by Alan Williams).
The story follows Bobby Child, a Harvard graduate who just wants to dance onstage. Unfortunately for him, theatre impresario Bela Zangler refuses to give him a chance, and he is forced to work for the bank by his overbearing mother. Bobby is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, a small town with a population of around 40, to foreclose on an old theatre-turned-post office. But after meeting and quickly falling in love with the owner’s daughter, Polly Baker, Bobby comes up with a plan to save the theatre by putting on a show.
When Polly discovers his true identity as the man who has come to close her father’s theatre, Bobby disguises himself as New York’s very own Bela Zangler and sets his plan in motion by inviting the ‘Zangler Follies’ girls to perform. As you can expect, hijinks ensue when the real Zangler comes to town and becomes an unknown participant in a love triangle.
Even if it may sound confusing on paper, the plot of this show is not too substantial and is more so just a backbone for the actors to show off their incredible dancing skills. This is another feature that makes the show reminiscent of older musicals, with spectacle taking precedence over a compelling plot – but this by no means puts a damper on the show or the performances, with its hilarious slapstick comedy and unbelievably fast but endearing romance.
The set design of the show, done by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt, further leans into the cartoonish-ness of the plot and makes the absurdity almost believable. With our introduction to the pretty much isolated town of Deadrock, a single tumbleweed moves across the stage, which is a comedic nod to the deserted environment. William Ivey Long, also a Tony Award winner (one being for the original production of this show in 1992), is the costume designer – his stylish outfits are seen best through the Zangler Follies girls who would certainly live up to what you expect, with all the feathers and sparkles you could imagine. Of course, these costumes are what you might first think of with the classic musical vibes this show presents, but the less-showbiz clothing is also befitting of the 1930s time period and western setting.
Sporting these costumes are an outstanding cast led by Olivier Award nominee Charlie Stemp as Bobby Child and Carly Anderson as Polly Baker. Stemp was last seen on the West End in Mary Poppins as the tap-dancing chimney sweep Bert and has entertained audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, having been in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway. This performance is a star-making turn and is certain to earn him some nominations come next year’s awards season. Stemp’s dancing is undoubtably the main reason to come and see this show and, while the group number of ‘I’ve Got Rhythm’ at the end of act one has been heralded as the highlight moment of the show, Stemp’s solo performance in ‘Nice Work if you Can Get It’ is a sensational stand-out moment. He has been likened to the dance talents of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly thanks to this performance. Carly Anderson is great as the headstrong Polly Baker and commands the stage with the confidence of a woman who’s had to grow up as the only girl in her town. She also dances very well and sings beautifully throughout the show.
Tom Edden is great as Bela Zangler, and the scene that he shares with Stemp at the beginning of the second act is so well timed and choreographed as well as hilariously performed by the both of them. Mathew Craig plays Lank Hawkins, the saloon/hotel/restaurant owner across the way who wants to marry Polly and feels threatened by Bobby’s appearance in town. He plays anger and frustration well, particularly in his encounters with the characters of Patricia and Eugene Fodor, two British tourists looking to review his establishment; these two are played by Rita Fatania and Sam Harrison who are the comedic relief the audience love every time they walk onstage. Another character who frustrates Lank to no end is Irene Roth, played by Natalie Kassanga – Irene is the fiancé Bobby has left behind, and in her following him to Deadrock, she learns to let him go and establishes herself as a sort of femme-fatale in the comedic number ‘Naughty Baby’. Owner of the derelict theatre and Polly’s father is played by Duncan Smith, and Bobbie’s glamorous mother is played by Marilyn Cutts.
This show is so well directed and choreographed by the original 1992 choreographer Susan Stroman, and the dancers who perform her choreography are so brilliant that they must be named. At this performance, the character of Tess, one of the lead Follies dancers and object of the real Bela Zangler’s affections, was played by dance captain Nell Martin, and Bradley Trevethan was also on as a swing playing the role of Wyatt, a citizen of Deadrock. Alongside Tess is Betsy as one of the lead Follies girls and she is played by Kate Parr; the rest of the girls are made up by Lila Anderson, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Imogen Bowtell, Laura Hills, Ella Valentine and Tara Yasmin. The citizens of Deadrock are played by Marc Akinfolarin as Moose, Philip Bertoli as Mingo, Lucas Koch as Sam, Jason Battersby, Nicholas Duncan, Nathan Elwick, Liam Wrate and Joshue Nkemdilim.
This is definitely a show to see if you want to experience old-school vaudevillian musicals with incredible dance numbers, and a thin but heartfelt plot. Crazy for You is playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until January 2024, so make sure to book tickets to see these amazing performances alongside some of your favourite Gershwin numbers.
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