Take one irresponsible city boy who just wants to dance, add a strong-willed no nonsense country girl, toss in a few money troubles and mistaken identities and you have a formulaic but fun show. Beef & Boards’ current musical “Crazy for You” is a romance wrapped in nostalgia.
The show premiered in 1992, but it’s actually a reworked
version of the 1930s’ “Girl Crazy.” It certainly feels more in step with
musicals like “Annie Get Your Gun” than anything created in recent years. The
Gershwin score includes songs like, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “I’ve
Got Rhythm,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” It revolves around the Zangler’s
Follies, a thinly veiled version of the real Ziegfeld Follies.
Bobby Child, played by Blake Spellacy, is our city boy. He heads to a dusty town in Nevada to foreclose on a theater for his domineering mother’s bank. Once in Deadrock he immediately falls for a local girl named Polly and decides the only way to win her is to pretend to be the world famous Bela Zangler and put on a show. There’s a particular entertaining tap number, “What Causes That?” when Bobby and Bela (Eddie Curry) meet up.
Hillary Smith shines sweetly as the whiskey-shooting Polly
Baker. She’s doesn’t swoon for the first fella she meets, but once she’s hooked
there’s no going back. Her numbers have a forlorn sincerity about them that’s
hidden away as she bustles about the town. As the only woman in Deadrock she’s
tough on the outside and hides her vulnerability.
The production wins you over with its silly jokes and
unfettered enthusiasm. What could feel cheesy feels sweet and fresh and the
familiar songs leave you humming along.
Don't Miss the Show
Performances: The show runs until April 4. Doors open for evening performances at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The buffet is served from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. For Wednesday matinees doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the buffet is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The show begins at 1 p.m. For Sunday matinees doors open at 12 p.m. and the buffet is served from 12:15 to 1 p.m. The show begins at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: To purchase tickets call (317) 872-9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Prices range from $40 to $65 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet.
Photos courtesy of Beef & Boards
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