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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Crazy for You Also see Gil's review of The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord
The plot follows Bobby Child, a New York banker with dreams of show business, who travels to a small Nevada town to foreclose on a failing theater. Instead of shutting it down, Bobby falls for the spirited Polly Baker and hatches a plan to save the theater by disguising himself as famous impresario Bella Zangler and putting on a show. Mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and plenty of hijinks ensue as love, music, and tap dancing eventually win the day. One of the defining features of Crazy for You is its score, which weaves together an array of well-known George and Ira Gershwin songs. Popular selections like "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," and "They Can't Take That Away from Me" give the show a nostalgic sparkle. The story itself is fairly basic and often predictable, but the score elevates it and provides many moments of genuine delight. The performers bring the central characters to life with warmth and dedication. While Robert Allocca comes across as slightly tentative as Bobby, he shines once he dons the disguise of Bella, where his physical comedy and confidence create a fun, comical character. Polly is played with poise and energy by Yoshi, who anchors the show with her bright and winning singing voice and graceful dancing. The supporting characters add a great deal of humor to the plot, particularly Hector Coris as the real Bella Zangler, whose larger-than-life presence leads to some of the evening's funniest moments. Matthew R. Harris is appropriately gruff as Lank Hawkins, the saloon owner who wants to buy Polly's family theater, and Shelby Hanks is fun as Bobby's determined and wealthy fiancée who is unwilling to let him follow his Broadway dreams. Emily Walker, Will B. Friday, and Barbara McBain add to the hilarity as Tess, the spirited Follies girl Zangler is in love with, Polly's good-natured father Everett, and Bobby's strong-willed mother, respectively. The large ensemble are quite good as the Follies girls, an English couple, and the quirky group of Nevada townsfolk. Even though the company's small space has its limitations for a large-scale musical with a big cast, under Don Bluth's direction the cast all create characters that you root to succeed and are all very good with the show's coming timing. The ensemble is used to strong effect, filling the stage with lively movement and enthusiasm. Breona Conrad's choreography is fun, playful, and cleverly tailored to the setting. Roger McKay's musical direction delivers charming notes from the cast. The costumes by Heather Riddle are a standout, beautifully designed to evoke the glamour of 1930s showbiz and the rustic charm of the Nevada town, giving the production a polished look. Matthew R. Harris' wig and makeup designs work well to evoke the period and style of the show. Crazy for You at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre is a cheerful and tuneful production. While the story may be familiar and the staging here isn't that grand, the combination of talented performers, spirited choreography, and gorgeous costumes makes for a charming evening. Plus, you can't beat those Gershwin songs. Crazy for You runs through October 17, 2025, at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Vía Linda #118, Scottsdale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com or call 480-314-0841. Directed by Don Bluth Cast: |
