Go CRAZY for "Crazy For You"! at Willow Manor Players in Abington, PA

Theater: Willow Manor Players

Show Title:  Crazy For You
Opened: November 9, 2007
Attended: November 9, 2007
Reviewer: Tom Lamphere
Submitted: November 9, 2007

In 1992,  "Crazy for You" opened on Broadway and although it was billed as "The NEW Musical Comedy" by George and Ira Gershwin, the production is heavily based on "Girl Crazy" a show written by the songwriting team back in 1930.  The new version won the 1992 Tony award for best new musical and ran for over 1600 performances before closing in 1996.  In recent years, regional and community theaters across the country have had the opportunity to perform the musical and it was the Willow Manor Players production of the show that I attended on their opening night.

Set in the 1930's, the story centers on Bobby Child, the son of a prominent East Coast banker. Though he'd rather be a song-and-dance man, Bobby is forced to enter the family business — and his first assignment is to foreclose on the Gaiety Theater in Deadrock, AZ. When he arrives in town, Bobby falls in love with the Polly Baker, who just happens to be the daughter of the theater's owner.  Now smitten with Polly and with a love of song and dance in his heart, Bobby dedicates himself to saving the theater and what better way to it than to put on a show featuring….himself!  How things transpire from that point on is a rollercoaster ride of mistaken identity and plot twists all mixed with a generous portion of Gershwyn music, comedy and dance…..LOTS of dance!

Playing the song and dance man Bobby Childs almost to perfection is David Jack who is himself a song and dance man with over 20 years of experience on stage.  Mr. Jack easily slips into the role and utilizes a perfect blend of vocal and dance talent along with terrific comedic timing to bring the role to life!  As good as he is as Bobby Childs, he's even better when his character disguises himself as Bela Zangler the Hungarian Broadway producer.  This is especially true during the song "What Causes That?" when a drunken Bobby, disguised as Zangler, meets the real and also drunken Bela Zangler played by the wonderfully comedic Michael Yanoff.  The scene is expertly choreographed and a joy to watch as the two actors play off one another with precise timing throughout the song.

Playing opposite of Mr. Jack is Tara Dromgoole as Polly Baker.  Ms. Dromgoole injects a ton of energy and feistyness into the role.  She easily handles her numerous songs (including the hits "I've Got Rhythm" and "Someone To Watch Over Me") and demanding dances while portraying the character's emotional ride from longing, to despair to exhuberance!

Raina Frey adds plenty of spark and sex appeal as Bobby's wealthy and frustrated fiancee, whom he doesn't want to marry.  She shines in "Naughty Baby" in which she seduces the local saloon owner played by Michael Black.  The two actors trade verbal jabs throughout the second half of the show and seem to have fun doing so!

The supporting cast are terrific including Geoff Desiato, Paul Ellis, Larry McLaughlin as local townsfolk who provide some vocal harmony in "Bidin' My Time" to go along with the rest of their character's zany antics!  These three actors along with the rest of the ensemble never fail to stay in character whether they're center stage or hanging out in the saloon!

The highlight of this production is the dance numbers and there are several of them throughout the show.  Choreographer Betty Pearce does an exceptional job of showing off the dancing talent of this fine cast!  This is especially true in the inventive and fun "Slap That Bass" and the show-stoppers "I Got Rhythm" and the finale.  Although I'm not a big fan of tap dancing, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it in this production as it was not overused and was very well executed by the cast.  The chorus girls shined in all of their numbers and the audience loved it!

 Director Kim Bantle-Taylor keeps the pace of the show moving along which is no easy feat as the first Act contains eleven scenes and a total of twelve songs.  There are several points during the show that risk dragging the pace to a standstill, but she wisely keeps the actors moving and never lets them stay too long in one moment before moving on.  It also helps that the stage crew keep the scene changes remarkably short despite several large well designed and decorated set pieces.

The orchestra, lead by Musical Director Peter Hilliard, handled the score very well and never overshadowed the performers on stage. 

For nearly 50 years the Willow Manor Players have provided a place for talented members of the community to get together and put on a show.  This year is no exception with over 60 members of cast, orchestra and technical crew involved in the production.  It's nice to see a community theater that involves so many members of the community put on a show of the quality of "Crazy For You".

Simply put, you'd be CRAZY to miss it!