Glam Americana musical Crazy For You has hit the Lyceum theatre for a four-day run on its UK tour, Paul Szabo gives the verdict…
After miserably failing his audition for a theatrical impresario named ‘Bela Zangler’, New York theatrical wannabe Bobby Child resigns himself to the family banking business and heads out to Dead Rock, Nevada to foreclose on a backwater theatre which has fallen on hard times. But after falling in love with Polly, the owner’s daughter who wants nothing to do with him, he disguises himself as Zangler and starts to revive the theatre and the town by putting on a show in the hopes of winning her over. His plan seems to work as she falls for Bobby’s alter ego, and all is going well until the real Zangler arrives…. with Bobby’s New York fiancé in tow.
Tom Chambers (Strictly Come Dancing, Casualty) further cements his triple threat status, with a confident and charismatic lead performance, and he is ably supported by the entire cast, who impress with their ability to sing, dance, act and play multiple musical instruments; frequently doing all four at the same time. Rarely do you find such a universally multi-talented cast.
The musical numbers fell into two categories, the show stopping production numbers and the tender ballads and features the timeless music of George and Ira Gershwin, in a score which is wholly traditional and instantly catchy. The songs, which included I Got Rhythm, Embraceable You, But Not For Me and Someone to Watch Over Me.
Falling squarely into the “good old fashioned musical” category, Crazy For You has a nostalgic feel, with some dizzying tap dancing numbers, a talented cast, plenty of light-hearted comedy and a predicable (but still enjoyable) “will they, won’t they” story line. Throw into the mix some giddy Follies Girls and a slew of handsome cowboys, and you have a toe-tapping, smile inducing, slick and polished show which is worthy of a night out.
Crazy For You is currently playing at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield until the 11th November 2017.
Images: Richard Davenport and The Other Richard
