Crazy for You is a romantic comedy musical with a book by Ken Ludwig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as "The New Gershwin Musical Comedy", it is largely based on the songwriting team's 1930 musical Girl Crazy, but also incorporates songs from several other productions. It won the 1992 Tony Award (Broadway), the 1993 Olivier Award (London), and the 1994 Dora Award (Toronto) for Best Musical.
Background Roger Horchow and Elizabeth Williams had been wanting to produce a new version of Girl Crazy. They engaged Ken Ludwig to write the book, Mike Ockrent to direct, and Susan Stroman to do the choreography, and obtained permission from the Gershwin family. Richard Godwin, and Valerie Gordon were the associate producers. The production soon changed to become a new show, using various Gershwin songs from different times. Six songs from Girl Crazy were selected: "Bidin' My Time", "Could You Use Me?", "Embraceable You", "I Got Rhythm", "But Not For Me", and part of "Bronco Busters"). Two songs were previously unpublished: "Tonight's the Night", used in tryouts for Show Girl, and "What Causes That?" from Treasure Girl; both of these songs had been considered lost until 1982, when their music was discovered in a Warner Brothers warehouse in Secaucus, New Jersey. "K-ra-zy for You" also originated from Treasure Girl. "The Real American Folk Song (Is a Rag)" was the Gershwins' first song performed on Broadway; on the other hand, "Naughty Baby" was making its American debut, having been in Primrose, which only played in London and Australia. Other songs came from the musical films Shall We Dance ("Slap That Bass" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me") and A Damsel in Distress, both of which were released in the year of George's death.
Production history
Broadway (1992) After a Washington, D.C. tryout and 10 previews, it opened at the Shubert Theatre on February 19, 1992, and ran for 1,622 performances. The cast included Jodi Benson as Polly, Harry Groener as Bobby Child, Bruce Adler as Bela Zangler, John Hillner as Lank Hawkins, Michele Pawk as Irene Roth, Jane Connell as Mother, Beth Leavel as Tess (Leavel also understudied Benson), Ronn Carroll as Everett Baker, and Stephen Temperley and Amelia White as Eugene and Patricia Fodor. The Manhattan Rhythm Kings played cowboys Mingo, Moose, and Sam, singing in their trademark close harmony.
In The New York Times, David Richards gave a mixed review, finding Benson and Groener's chemistry unpersuasive: "The flirtation between these two is lackluster and their clinches are passionless." He was most impressed by Stroman's work: "It is indicative that the best numbers in 'Crazy for You,' the real audience-rousers, are group numbers." He also praised her choreography in "What Causes That?": "What Ms. Stroman is synchronizing here is a lack of control, a queasiness that's capable of a few sudden, antic lurches." While her work was "not to be missed," Richards concluded that the show "may be the first Broadway musical ever that left me eager to catch the replacement cast."
Frank Rich, in contrast, was highly positive: "When future historians try to find the exact moment at which Broadway finally rose up to grab the musical back from the British, they just may conclude that the revolution began last night. The shot was fired at the Shubert Theater, where a riotously entertaining show called Crazy for You uncorked the American musical’s classic blend of music, laughter, dancing, sentiment and showmanship with a freshness and confidence rarely seen during the Cats decade. The miracle has been worked here most ingeniously, though not exclusively, by an extraordinary choreographer named Susan Stroman and the playwright Ken Ludwig . . . Crazy for You scrapes away decades of cabaret and jazz and variety-show interpretations to reclaim the Gershwins’ standards, in all their glorious youth, for the dynamism of the stage."
A cast album was released by Angel Records.
West End (1993) The West End production, directed by Ockrent, choreographed by Stroman, and starring Ruthie Henshall, Kirby Ward, and Chris Langham, opened at the Prince Edward Theatre on March 3, 1993 and ran for nearly three years.
First West End revival (2011) In 2011, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre did a revival of Crazy for You as part of the 2011 Summer Season. The production moved to the West End, at the Novello Theatre where it ran from October 8, 2011 to March 17, 2012.Shenton, Mark."West End Run for Summer Production of 'Crazy for You' Resumes Oct. 7" playbill.com, October 7, 2011
Second West End revival (2023) As part of the 2022 Chichester Festival, a new production staged as part of a limited summer run; Charlie Stemp played the role of Bobby Child with Carly Anderson as Polly Baker. The direction and choreography was by Susan Stroman. The production transferred to the West End's Gillian Lynne Theatre for a limited 30-week West End engagement. Previews began on 24 June 2023, with an official opening on July 3. Originally scheduled to close on January 20, 2024, the closing date was brought forward by three weeks to December 31, 2023.
Subsequent productions A Toronto production directed by Ockrent, choreographed by Stroman, and starring Jim Walton and Camilla Scott opened at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on December 1, 1993 and closed December 31, 1995.
On October 20, 1999, the PBS series Great Performances broadcast a production from the Paper Mill Playhouse directed by Matthew Diamond, who was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Direction of a Variety or Music Program."'Crazy for You' Production, Great Performances" pbs.org, accessed January 17, 2011 Tom Helm was music director of this production which starred Jim Walton as Bobby Child and Stacey Logan as Polly.
On October 18, 2009, a showtime challenge, charity gala performance of Crazy for You, directed by Katherine Hare and choreographed by Racky Plews was staged by Eyebrow Productions at the London Palladium. Eyebrow are well known for their unique Showtime Challenges, where all aspects of the show are rehearsed and performed in 48 hours. All proceeds went to Cecily's Fund."Showtime Challenge to Produce 'Crazy for You' at the London Palladium in 48 Hours" playbill.com
In 2011, the Tokyo Shiki Theatre Company, a Japanese Performance company, performed "Crazy for You." The Shiki Theatre Company was established in 1953 by 10 university students.{https://www.shiki.jp/applause/cfy/}
The Off-West End premiere of Crazy For You, directed by John Plews, choreographed by Grant Murphy and musically directed by Oliver John Ruthven, ran at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate from December 13, 2012 to January 27, 2013. The production made use of a smaller ensemble with cast doubling, and a six-piece band.
In summer 2016 a UK revival opened at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury starring Tom Chambers as Bobby and Caroline Sheen as Polly. The production began touring the UK from August 2017 to June 2018 starring Chambers reprising his role as Bobby, Caroline Flack as Irene and Charlotte Wakefield as Polly. Claire Sweeney replaced Flack as Irene halfway through the tour.
Cast and characters Character Broadway U.S. National Tour West EndPaper Mill Playhouse† West End Revival Lincoln Center Concert Workshop ChichesterWest End Revival19921993199920112017201820222023 Bobby Child Harry Groener James Brennan Kirby WardJim Walton Sean Palmer Tony Yazbeck Charlie Stemp Polly Baker Jodi Benson Karen Ziemba Ruthie HenshallStacey Logan Clare Foster Laura Osnes Carly Anderson Bela Zangler Bruce Adler Stuart Zagnit Chris LanghamBruce Adler David Burt Harry Groener Tom Edden Irene Roth Michele Pawk Kay McClelland Amanda PriorSandy Edgerton Kim Medcalf Rachel Bloom Rebecca Naomi Jones Merryl AnsahNatalie Kassanga Lank Hawkins John Hillner Christopher Coucill Shaun ScottJeb Brown Michael McKell Jerry O’Connell Matthew Craig Everett Baker Ronn Carroll Carleton Carpenter Don FellowsLarry Linville Sidney Livingstone Mark Linn-Baker Fred Applegate Don GallagherDuncan Smith Mother (Lottie Child) Jane Connell Lenka Peterson Avril AngersJane Connell Harriet Thorpe Nancy Opel Gay SoperMarilyn Cutts Eugene Fodor Stephen Temperley Geoffrey WadeGeoffrey Wade Samuel Holmes Jack McBrayer Carson Elrod Adrian GroveSam Harrison Patricia Fodor Amelia White Jeanette Landis Paula TinkerAmelia White Harriet Thorpe Rachel Dratch Ann Harada Jacqui DuboisRina Fatania Tess Beth Leavel Cathy Susan Pyles Vanessa Leagh-HicksMylinda Hull Rachel Stanley Angie Schworer Leigh Zimmerman Sadie-Jean ShirleyKayleigh Thadani Perkins/Custus Gerry Burkhardt Noel Parenti Alan ForresterJames Young Samuel Holmes Jim Borstelmann Kevin Worley Nathan Elwick † This production was professionally recorded for the PBS series Great Performances.
Follies Patsy – Stacey Logan (and Polly US) Sheila – Judine Hawkins Richard Mitzi – Paula Leggett Susie – Ida Henry Louise – Jean Marie Betsy – Penny Ayn Maas Margie – Salome Mazard Vera – Louise Ruck Elaine – Pamela Everett Swing – Maryellen Scilla
Cowboys Mingo – Tripp Hanson Moose – Brian M. Nalepka Sam – Harold Shane Junior – Casey Nicholaw Pete – Fred Anderson Jimmy – Michael Kubala Billy – Ray Roderick Wyatt – Jeffrey Lee Broadhurst Harry – Joel Goodness Custus – Gerry Burkhardt The Amazing Cowpokes- Zoe Grifns And Charlie Mimcle
Note: While Eugene Fodor was the real-life founder of Fodor's Travel Guides, the character in the musical is highly fictionalized. The real Eugene Fodor was Hungarian-American, not British, and his first travel book was about Europe.
Notable replacements
Broadway (1992–1996) Polly Baker: Karen Ziemba, Beth Leavel (u/s), Stacey Logan (u/s) Bela Zangler: Carleton Carpenter, Al Checco, Samuel Roger Horchow Irene Roth: Pia Zadora, Jessica Molaskey (u/s) Everett Baker: Carleton Carpenter, Al Checco, Samuel Roger Horchow Mother (Lottie Child): Ann B. Davis Eugene Fodor: Casey Nicholaw (u/s) Patricia Fodor: Jessica Molaskey (u/s) Tess: Leigh Zimmerman (u/s)
U.S. national tour (1993–1995) Polly Baker: Crista Moore Everett Baker: Al Checco Mother (Lottie Child): Ann B. Davis
Musical numbers
Act I Overture "K-Ra-Zy for You" (from Treasure Girl) – Bobby "I Can't Be Bothered Now" (from A Damsel in Distress) – Bobby, Follies Girls "Bidin' My Time" (from Girl Crazy) – Cowboy Trio and Cowboys "Things Are Looking Up" (from A Damsel in Distress) – Bobby "Someone to Watch Over Me" (from Oh, Kay!) – Polly "Could You Use Me" (from Girl Crazy) – Bobby and Polly "Shall We Dance?" (from Shall We Dance) – Bobby "Entrance to Nevada" (Medley of "Stairway to Paradise" from George White's Scandals of 1922, "Bronco Busters" from Girl Crazy, and "K-Ra-Zy for You") – Follies Girls and Cowboys "Slap That Bass" (from Shall We Dance) – Bobby, Pete, Patsy, Tess, and Chorus "Embraceable You" (from Girl Crazy) – Polly and Bobby "Tonight's the Night"≠ (used in tryouts for Show Girl) – Chorus "I Got Rhythm" (from Girl Crazy) – Polly and Chorus
Act II Entr'acte ("Rialto Ripples") "The Real American Folk Song is a Rag" (from Ladies First) – Cowboy Trio and Chorus "What Causes That?" (from Treasure Girl) – Bobby and Zangler "Naughty Baby"≠≠ (from Primrose) – Irene, Lank, Cowboy Quartet "Stiff Upper Lip" (from A Damsel in Distress) – Eugene, Patricia, Bobby, Polly, and Chorus "They Can't Take That Away from Me" (from Shall We Dance) – Bobby "But Not for Me" (from Girl Crazy) – Polly "But Not for Me" (Reprise) – Polly New York Interlude (Concerto in F) "Nice Work If You Can Get It" (from A Damsel in Distress) – Follies Girls, and Bobby "Bidin' My Time" (French Reprise) – Cowboy Trio "Things Are Looking Up" (Reprise) – Everett Finale – Chorus
≠ Lyrics by Gus Kahn and Ira Gershwin ≠≠ Lyrics by Desmond Carter and Ira Gershwin
Synopsis Act 1