Great Gershwin Re-imaginings...
The Gillian Lynne Theatre is a new one for me (and a new theatre) to see the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Crazy for You, another musical revival (and mash-up).
Take the Gershwins’ songs, an acceptable book, a strong cast and inspired direction and choreography (by Susan Stroman) and it turns out you have a sure-fire hit. Who’d have guessed?
The plot, such as there is one, is typical of the 1930s stock Hollywood musicals (and as unlikely), but well written and with good, banging repartee.
The main principals (Charlie Stemp and Carly Anderson as the singing hoofers, and Tom Elden as the comic) are excellent – and the others all show off their skills. The dance chorus is fully professional, and can act as well!
The first act closure – some superb and clever dancing - caused half the audience to stand (at the final curtain it was probably 80%).
So why am I holding back, a bit. Well, the story sets up a ‘will they, won’t they?’ love thread – and a ‘can they put on a show to save the theatre?’ storyline (they actually reference Mickey Rooney on that one!), but whilst they resolve the love story (of course) we are left without a stonking dancing finale (there are still many Gershwin numbers to incorporate) which saves the theatre; and I, for one, feel slightly short-changed – not least because there is no stonking dance finale – just a (short) lyrical ballet-et.
Seeing how they closed Act 1, it was certainly within their capabilities.
Oh, and Charlie Stemp looks to have a huge musical career in from of him - a name to watch out for!