1 September 2023 I 19:30 I Gillian Lynne Theatre, London
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Crazy For You, currently playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, is an absolute triumph that marvels in the classics of theatrical wonderment. This has been my first experience of a George and Ira Gershwin musical, and the romantic comedy stylings of the script truly blows me away. It exceeds my expectations to the point where it is impossible to wipe the smile from my face. This also sees my first trip to the Gillian Lynne Theatre, perhaps becoming my favourite theatre space of all time, with a charming modern design, wonderful merchandise, next level friendly staff and a tremendously impressive stage. Does it get any better than this? I certainly don't think so!
This musical follows the character of Bobby Child, a Harvard graduate who dreams of leaving his banking job behind to become a professional dancer, reviving Deadrock's neglected theatre. Love and romance is the warm centre of the plot, simply breathing euphoria. Although it premiered in 1992, USA, it is based on the 1930's Gershwin musical Girl Crazy. This already gives the show a contemporary eye, whilst still maintaining the ladies and gentlemen's roles of 20th century dance. Encapsulating the era to exact perfection is Susan Stroman's career defining choreography (and direction), truly making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. All round, movement is so phenomenally cohesive, creating a piece which transitions beautifully. I am a huge fan of tap dancing, and as we were sat front row, we sometimes couldn't see the dancer's feet. Nonetheless, this doesn't change the enjoyment at all, as the sound of the tap shoes fills the captivated auditorium. It even makes the front row physically shake (not an exaggeration)!! There are legs that reach higher than should be humanly possible, and it is just impossible to not be spellbound by these 2 hours and 40 minutes of magic. Essentially, the show is perfection.
Leading the show as Bobby Child, Charlie Stemp is divine beyond description, performing some of the most challenging theatrical scenes I have ever seen with flawlessness. Stroman's choreography is complex, though Stemp has been born to dance, and I cannot wait to see what he continues on to do. After seeing him once, I am already a superfan! I'd heard incredible things, but his live performance is other worldly. Starring alongside him, Carly Anderson's Polly Baker is such a gorgeous presentation of her character, where not only her dance routines are full of dazzlingly good talent, but her emotional depth is honest and vulnerable, stepping aside from a solidly comedic role which balances the musical. Tom Edden's performance as Bela Zangler is fuelled by a childish excitability, masterfully capturing our attention in every one of his scenes. Albeit his absence for most of Act 1, he is solidified as a viewer favourite, a wizard at working with the audience as we really fall in love with Zangler's quirkiness! No doubt that Stemp and Edden's mirror sequence will be one of my favourite stagey moments of the year, unbelievably well timed and bursting with creativity!
The admirable thing about Crazy For You is how it equally shares the spotlight, giving every actor a chance to shine in their own right. Irene's Naughty Baby, seductively performed by Natalie Kassanga, is a joy in its heavenly enjoyable humour. Although Irene only has 1 solo, this moment allows Kassanga to be celebrated and explore new methods of comedy aside from slapstick. The Fodor's are an excellent spurt of randomness and hilarity, where I truly loved Rina Fatania's Patricia. That laugh needs to be my ringtone, endlessly funny! It would be impossible to dream a better cast than this, the ensemble REALLY makes this show, where the expertise on stage is awe inspiring and mesmerising from beginning to end.
The most important element for this musical is that it doesn't take itself too seriously, so that as audiences we see a beautiful expression of happiness. There are numerous fight scenes, directed by Ruth Cooper Brown and Rachel Brown Williams, that are whimsical and rhythmic. I really adore this, as it adheres to the vision, not creating a boisterousness or aggression to maintain a lighter atmosphere. Paired with Kai Harada's sound, the comedy for me is a whole new level of humour, because it fuses aural design with the script, forming an experience beyond the script. William Ivey Long's costume design is exquisite and sophisticated, absolutely floored by the elegance whilst also having the adaptability to perform intense dance numbers. And including rope work to mimic string, Slap That Bass exudes playfulness with an anthropomorphic instrument flair seriously leaves me speechless!
Crazy For You is a warm, wacky and wonderful musical which fits so excellently in the heart of the West End. With tracks including Embraceable You and I Got Rhythm, you can see all ages in the audience falling in love with a phenomenal night of entertainment. It is simply one of those shows you could just watch over, and over, and over... and over again! Have to book again as soon as possible!
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