CRAZY FOR YOU To 5 July.
North Kilworth.
CRAZY FOR YOU
music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin book by Ken Ludwig, inspired by material by Guy Bolton and John McGowan.
Kilworth House Theatre Lutterworth Road North Kilworth LE17 6JE To 5 July 2009.
Tue-Sun 8pm. Ma Sunday 2.30pm.
Runs 2hr 40min. One interval.
TICKETS : 01858 881939.
WebSite: www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk
Review: Geoff Ambler 10 June 2009.
Musical theatre than warms the heart, outdoors, during a storm.
On a night when the torrential rain hammered all around, creating its own rhythm on the covered outdoor theatre, with the actors' breath clouding around them, George and Ira Gershwin’s irrepressibly joyous Crazy For You still kept the typically English summer evening's storm at bay. Kilworth House Theatre is surrounded by mature woodland and on a warm evening would be idyllic; during the storm it provided cosy shelter, leaving the show to transport you to sleepy Deadrock, Nevada where the theatre/ post office was about to be closed.
Originally opening as Girl Crazy eighty years ago, the current version of Crazy For You only came about in 1988, adapted with some of the original show's music as well as Gershwin hits from other shows, resulting in a production chocked full of timeless, memorable numbers.
Bobby isn’t interested in the family banking business and yearns to dance on stage. He is packed off by his mother to foreclose on a theatre; instead he falls in love with only-girl-in-town Polly, whose theatre it is. Polly is given the opportunity to save it by Bobby, now disguised as the Follies theatre impresario Bela Zangler, by putting on a show. Much hilarity, mistaken identity, love unrequited and tap dancing ensues. And it is utterly splendid.
Mitch Sebastian and Matthew Freeman, who share directing credits, have created a magnificently delightful show with Gershwin’s upbeat music, the wonderfully effervescent choreography and an energetic cast who radiate the Twenties buoyant optimism that ripples throughout Crazy. 'I Can’t Be Bothered' is a seemingly never-ending spectacular feast of tap magic that the Follies girls sparkle in.
The always remarkable Cassidy Janson is a wilful, assured and enchanting Polly to Mark Stanford’s lovelorn and uproarious Bobby. The Follies, led by my favourite tap dancer, Pippa Raine, are quite enchanting and the Cowboys bring yet more fantastic comedy charm.
Crazy For You is a celebration of the Gershwins' art and Kilworth House Theatre’s production brings a magical and hilarious musical to a lush outdoor (and rainproof) setting, deserving of a month of warm evenings and packed houses, but equally uplifting during a ferocious summer storm.
Bobby: Mark Stanford.
Polly: Cassidy Janson.
Bela Zangler: Michael Howe.
Lank: Cameron Jack.
Irene Roth: Lisa Donmall.
Everett Baker: Peter Edbrook.
Patricia Fodor: Kerry Washington.
Eugene Fodor: Bryan Kennedy.
Tess: Pippa Raine.
Patsy: Sophie McEwan.
Mitzi: Grace Holdstock.
Betsy: Lauren Brooke.
Vera: Julia-Ann Dixon.
Susie: Lizzii Hills.
Margie: Jenny Legg.
Moose: Martin Milnes.
Mingo: Gavin Keenan.
Sam: Matthew Hawksworth.
Custus: Alan Bradshaw.
Wyatt: Gareth Charlton.
Junior: Christopher Drake.
Pete: David McMullan.
Director/Choreographer: Mitch Sebastian.
Designer/Costume: Sean Cavanagh.
Lighting: Chris Ellis.
Sound: John Owens.
Musical Supervisor/Musical Director: Matthew Freeman.
Assistant choreographer: Lisa Donmall.
2009-06-14 13:18:22