Bryant High School presents “Crazy for You” in April. See show dates and ticket info below.
“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 incorporates songs from several other productions as well. “Crazy for You” won the 1992 Tony Award (Broadway), 1993 Olivier Award (London), and 1994 Dora Award (Toronto) for Best Musical.
This musical is the classic tale of a boy, a girl, and a theater in need of salvation. In love with the stage, Bobby Child works as a banker for his overbearing mother, Lottie, but spends his off hours practicing dance routines and sneaking in to audition for Zangler’s Follies, the most popular show in New York City, helmed by Bela Zangler, a temperamental Hungarian producer. Unfortunately, Bobby’s showbiz career is going nowhere, and his strident fiance is insisting that he name the date, so when Lottie demands that he investigate a far-away customer who has defaulted on a mortgage, Bobby jumps at the chance to get out of town. Arriving in hot, quiet Deadrock, Nevada, Bobby falls for Polly Baker, the sweet and sturdy postmistress, whose father happens to own the beautiful, but decaying, Gaiety Theater, which he has been sent to seize. Now love-struck, Bobby comes up with a plan: call in his friends, the Follies Girls, all the way from New York City, cast the locals — a bunch of rundown cowboys with latent musical talent — and put on a show to save the old building. Polly falls in turn for the enthusiastic young man, but feels angry and betrayed when she discovers that he comes from the bank. In order to spend time with the furious Polly, Bobby disguises himself as Bela Zangler of Zangler’s Follies, all the better to produce and direct. But while “Zangler” is talking up Bobby to the unsuspecting Polly, Polly is falling for the impersonation of dashing, European Zangler…. and when the real Zangler arrives in town, chasing Tessie, his beloved dance captain, things really get “Crazy!” With a fast-paced and light-hearted script by Ludwig, and a collection of the most beloved tunes of George and Ira Gershwin, including the day-dreamy “Can’t Be Bothered Now”, the catchy, high-energy “Slap That Bass”, and the plaintive, romantic “Someone To Watch Over Me”, Crazy For You is a truly delightful homage to the beloved, optimistic musicals of the 1930s: a world of showgirls and cowboys, in which a city boy and a country girl reconcile their differences, fall in love, and save a theater, the old-fashioned way.
Show Dates:
- Thu Apr 4th, 7pm
- Fri Apr 5th, 7pm
- Sun Apr 7th, 2pm
- Sun Apr 7th, 7pm
- $10 for adults
- $5 for students
- Purchase online at https://www.onthestage.com/show/bryant-high-school/crazy-for-you-4226/tickets
- Shows will be at Bryant Middle School Gym, 1105 Woodland Dr, Bryant, AR 72022