By Megan Holley
Crazy For You, a fun-filled cowboy/Gershwin musical, is being performed at Brigham’s Playhouse in Washington County, Utah. This small community theatre may look like it might be a one-time thing, but once the performance starts, you will want to come back for every performance after. Right when you pull into the parking lot, you are greeted by the cast in character, which immediately bring you into the wonderful experience of musical theatre. With music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, Crazy For You is not one to be missed. The complexity of the music is simply marvelous, especially with the wonderful harmonies accompanying it. This dance heavy show takes place in the 1920’s and every aspect of this show from the costumes, dancing, talking, and the way the characters behave go perfectly with the time period.
You’ve heard of a triple threat, but Dale Hoopes is so much more than that– in this production he not only plays the lead, Bobby Child, but directed and choreographed this show. His soothing voice and breathtaking tap dancing keep you enthralled and on the edge of your seat the entire time. Polly (Mimi Knell) is a fireball of spunk and charm that is empowering to all who see her perform; she is the only female in her town and she doesn’t let the men run over her. Jake Erickson, who plays Moose, is a marvelous bassist. The scene between Bela Zangler (Adam Cheney) and Bobby where they are drunken out of their minds and sing “What Causes That” is the most comedic part of the entire show. The roar of laughter from the crowd when Cheney says that “he is beside himself” is one that everyone should experience. Lank Hawkins (Ryan Sant) is the antagonist, who tries to buy up everything in the small town in Little Rock, Nevada. Toward the end of the production Sant says, “Who’d come to Nevada to gamble?” then gets a mischievous. Irene Roth (Anne Schwab) is the annoying fiancé who ends up marrying Lank, and portrays her character so well that you find her irritating. Tess (Gloria Morin) is the wonderful person who eventually convinces Bela to save the theatre in Nevada. All of the Follies Girls dance so gracefully that you can’t help but stare in awe of their dancing. The Cowboys have great voices that blend into incredible harmonies. The most famous song in this show is “I’ve Got Rhythm”, with its complex dance moves that are jaw droppingly clean.
The set design by Donnie Clements is simple and extremely creative. With four blocks and each side having a different scene type, it is incredible. Hoopes’ directing added in more comedy, and packs so many laughs into each scene, you won’t believe it. . Hoopes’ choreography demonstrates his vast knowledge of dance, from tap to ballroom. The tap dancing was so clean that when the entire cast was tapping it sounded like ASMR because it was as if one person was tapping with the loudness of many. Costumer Savanna Waldron fabulously kept to the time period with every costume, including the stunning ballgown that Polly wears at the end of the show. Lighting Designer Mason Hardy kept things simple so the lighting didn’t overpower the talent of the performers, yet was just enough to keep things interesting by adding different kinds of light for different themes in the show. For example, when Bobby sees Polly for the first time and has mini solos about being in love where everyone else is frozen, the lighting darkens around them and there’s a spotlight on Bobby. Doug Knapp directed the music, and the quality of the music is out of this world, with insane harmonies in this production.
Brigham’s Playhouse has a great array of tasty treats, varying from ice cream to gourmet popcorn. Crazy For You is a wonderfully comedic show that is perfect for families, and the treats and the show are sure to keep people of all ages, including kids, entertained. Come to Crazy For You for the treats to eat and the treat to see.
Brigham’s Playhouse Presents Crazy For You, Music by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Book by Ken Ludwig
Brigham’s Playhouse, 25 North 300 West, Washington, UT 84780
Tickets: Adult $23.00; Seniors $21.00; Student $17.00; Family $76.00
Contact: 435-251-8000
March 29- April 27, 2019. Thursdays- Saturdays 7:00 PM; Matinee Saturdays 2:00 PM
Brigham’ s Playhouse Facebook Page
Crazy for You Facebook Event
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