Crazy For You

by Book by Ken Ludwig, Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin

Crazy For You had 4 performances over 10 years ago (between the 28th of November 2013 and the 30th of November 2013)

171st Production

Set in New York and Deadrock, Nevada in the 1930’s. Bobby Child works under the thumb of his overbearing mother in banking but dreams of a life in show business. His attempts to impress New York impresario Bela Zangler with his dance routine come to nothing and he is sent by his mother to sleepy Deadrock to foreclose a rundown theatre.

Once there he falls in love with the theatre owner’s daughter Polly and becomes involved in a scheme to save the day by putting on a magnificent show. He impersonates Zangler in order to stage a Broadway extravaganza in the crumbling playhouse, pay off the theatre’s debt and turn dust into stardust.

It’s an exuberant, ensemble show with inventive dance routines, some well loved music, plenty of humour and is an uplifting endorsement of the power of the arts.

Songs include Someone To Watch Over Me, Shall We Dance, Slap That Bass, Embraceable You, I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me and Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Cast includes parts for about 8 men plus Cowboy chorus work and for 6 women plus Follies Girl Dancers.

Application pdf

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Bobby Child - Chris Knights

Bobby Child (baritone). Bobby is a handsome and personable guy, full of mischief, warmth, charm and energy. He is engaging and full of character. We need to believe his love of show business, and he should really be a tapper (but we can get over this if necessary, please don’t let the dancing worry you). In fact we could choose to play against tradition and he can think he is good, but doesn’t quite cut it! Most importantly we are looking for a strong and versatile actor who can handle the comedy, slapstick, romance and singing and who can move. He is the lynch pin of the show. Songs: Krazy For You, I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Things Are Looking Up, Could You Use Me, Shall We Dance?, Slap That Bass, Embraceable You, What Causes That, Stiff Upper Lip, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get it.

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Polly Baker - Amelia Greco

Polly Baker (mezzo). A spunky tomboy – the only girl left in the outback with a bunch of cowboys so knows how to hold her own. Polly is plain speaking and comes across as hard but also falls in love with Bobby and here we see her softer side especially in the ballads she sings. Again, as female lead we are looking for strong all rounder, singing and dancing (preferably tap) essential. Songs: Things Are Looking Up, Could You Use Me, Someone to Watch Over Me, Embraceable You, I’ve Got Rhythm, Stiff Upper Lip, But Not For Me.

Original

Bela Zangler - Nick Lund

Bela Zangler (baritone). New York impresario – needs to be about the same size and shape as Bobby who impersonates him in Dead Rock for this joke to work. Lots of bluster and Jewish humour and has a good drunken slapstick comedy number with Bobby. A great character role. Songs: What Causes That.

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Irene Roth - Tari More

Irene Roth (mezzo). A spoilt, wealthy and obviously attractive woman who has been engaged to Bobby for 5 years, much to her disgust. She follows him to Nevada but ends up marrying Lank after her sexy seduction number. Songs: Naughty Baby.

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Lank Hawkins - Paul Foster

Lank Hawkins (spoken only). Proprietor of Deadrock’s Saloon who wants to buy the town’s theatre before the bank takes it. He is not pleased to see a rival for Polly’s affections in Bobby and dislikes his idea of putting on a show, threatening to shoot him. Eventually marries Irene after being seduced by her.

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Everett Baker - Graham Botterill

Everett Baker (baritone) Polly’s dad who owns the Gaiety Theatre in Deadrock. He stubbornly refuses to give it up because of his memory of Polly’s dead mother being the star of all the theatre’s old shows. When he notices Mrs Childs, who follows her son to Nevada, he falls head over heels in love with her. His affections are reciprocated and they get together in a reprise of ‘Things Are Looking Up‘. Songs: Things Are Looking Up (reprise)

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Lottie Child - Gillian Smithies

Lottie Child (spoken only) Bobby’s overbearing mother who demands he carry out a piece of banking business for her in Nevada to prevent him pursuing his dream of becoming a musical star. Thaws when she falls for Everett.

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Eugene Foder - Wally Walters

Eugene Foder. Eugene and his sister Patricia are British tourists who are the only people to arrive in Deadrock to watch the show. They are writing a guidebook on the American West. When Polly thinks the townsfolk should abandon the venture the Fodors counsel the dejected townspeople to keep a ‘Stiff Upper Lip ‘which includes a parody from the barricade scene of Les Miserables and provides an opportunity for the stuffy Fodors to dance. Songs: Stiff Upper Lip

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Patricia Foder - Anna Foster

Patricia Foder. Patricia and her brother, Eugene, are British tourists who are the only people to arrive in Deadrock to watch the show. They are writing a guidebook on the American West. When Polly thinks the townsfolk should abandon the venture the Fodors counsel the dejected townspeople to keep a ‘Stiff Upper Lip ‘which includes a parody from the barricade scene of Les Miserables and provides an opportunity for the stuffy Fodors to dance. Songs: Stiff Upper Lip

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Tess and Follies Singer - Jenny Powell

Tess. The feisty Dance Director of the Zangler Follies who spends her time dodging the advances of married Bela Zangler but eventually ends up with him. Very much involved in putting on the show in Nevada. Could be a member of the Dance Troupe or could be played as dance director only.

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Patsy and Follies Singer - Jo Freeman

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Follies Dancer - Gemma Murphy

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Mitzi and Follies Singer - Emma Thompson

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Follies Dancer - Rachel Price

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Follies Dancer - Rachael Davis-Taylor

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Follies Dancer - Vicky Palmer

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Follies Dancer - Kiera McCormack

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Follies Dancer - Karen Regent

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Follies Dancer - Beth Coombes

Follies – Patsy, Sheila, Mitzi, Susie, Louise, Betsy, Margi, Vera, Elaine The show’s dance troupe so must be excellent dancers and it is essential that they tap for the show stopping I’ve Got Rhythm at the end of Act One. An integral part of the show. Patsy has some solo lines. Dance in: I Can’t Be Bothered Now, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, I’ve Got Rhythm, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Mingo - Tony Frier

Cowboys – Mingo, Moose, Sam, Junior, Pete, Jimmy, Billy, Wyatt, Harry The men in the sleepy town of Deadrock they have clearly seen better days and are lazy aimless people who have left behind the prosperity they once knew as a gold mining town. When the Follies Girls arrive on vacation they become very much more lively! Although the cowboys are terrible dancers they are galvanized into action with a spirited rendition of ‘Slap That Bass’. Mingo, Big Moose & Sam sing in close harmony and form a comic trio too. An integral part of the show. Songs: Bidin’ My Time, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Naughty Baby.

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Moose - Mark Humble

Cowboys – Mingo, Moose, Sam, Junior, Pete, Jimmy, Billy, Wyatt, Harry The men in the sleepy town of Deadrock they have clearly seen better days and are lazy aimless people who have left behind the prosperity they once knew as a gold mining town. When the Follies Girls arrive on vacation they become very much more lively! Although the cowboys are terrible dancers they are galvanized into action with a spirited rendition of ‘Slap That Bass’. Mingo, Big Moose & Sam sing in close harmony and form a comic trio too. An integral part of the show. Songs: Bidin’ My Time, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Naughty Baby.

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Sam - Ian Thomas

Cowboys – Mingo, Moose, Sam, Junior, Pete, Jimmy, Billy, Wyatt, Harry The men in the sleepy town of Deadrock they have clearly seen better days and are lazy aimless people who have left behind the prosperity they once knew as a gold mining town. When the Follies Girls arrive on vacation they become very much more lively! Although the cowboys are terrible dancers they are galvanized into action with a spirited rendition of ‘Slap That Bass’. Mingo, Big Moose & Sam sing in close harmony and form a comic trio too. An integral part of the show. Songs: Bidin’ My Time, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Naughty Baby.

Original

Pete - Tom Hudson

Cowboys – Mingo, Moose, Sam, Pete, Billy The men in the sleepy town of Deadrock they have clearly seen better days and are lazy aimless people who have left behind the prosperity they once knew as a gold mining town. When the Follies Girls arrive on vacation they become very much more lively! Although the cowboys are terrible dancers they are galvanized into action with a spirited rendition of ‘Slap That Bass’. Mingo, Big Moose & Sam sing in close harmony and form a comic trio too. An integral part of the show. Songs: Bidin’ My Time, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Naughty Baby.

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Billy - Josh Coombes

Cowboys – Mingo, Moose, Sam, Pete, Billy The men in the sleepy town of Deadrock they have clearly seen better days and are lazy aimless people who have left behind the prosperity they once knew as a gold mining town. When the Follies Girls arrive on vacation they become very much more lively! Although the cowboys are terrible dancers they are galvanized into action with a spirited rendition of ‘Slap That Bass’. Mingo, Big Moose & Sam sing in close harmony and form a comic trio too. An integral part of the show. Songs: Bidin’ My Time, Entrance to Nevada, Slap That Bass, Tonight’s the Night, The Real American Folksong is a Rag, Naughty Baby.

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Follies Dancer - Nicola Ivey

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Follies Dancer - Anderley Walton

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Follies Dancer - Rebecca Cutter

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Betsy and Follies Singer - Amy Horn

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Director/Choreographer - Carolyn Floyd

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Set Assistant/Properties - Clare Pinnock

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Set Assistant - Liz Thomas

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Stage Manager/Set Construction - Simon Waller

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Set Design and Construction - John Godliman

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Choreographer - Gemma Murphy

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Set Assistant/Stage Assistant/Wigs - Emma Dudley

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Set Assistant/Stage Assistant - Dawn Bevan-Bailey

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Set Assistant - Richard Bailey

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Set Assistant/Poster and Programme Design - Anne Nunn

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Set Assistant - Bill Payne

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Set Assistant - Linda Russell

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Set Assistant - Ian Thomas

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Set Assistant - Jenny Waller

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Stage Assistant - Andrew Lacey

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Stage Assistant - Michelle Blake

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Stage Assistant - Keith Bollands

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Stage Assistant - Graham Collier

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Sound Design - Jonathan Miller

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Lighting Design - Chris Elcocks (MC Production Group)

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Wardrobe - Anna Foster

Original

Front of House Manager/Publicity - Frankie Godliman

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Front of House Manager - Jill Payne

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Publicity - Gillian Smithies

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Box Office Manager - Kay Frier

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Photography - Alan Bostock (www.photoeyes.biz)

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Musical Director - Chris Winslet

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Trombone - Ed March

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Piano - David Darby

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Trumpet - John Spencer

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Reeds - Rhona Laurie

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Percussion - Mark Wills

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Trombone and Keyboards - Chris Day

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Trumpet - Matthew Simmonds

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Reeds - Guy Passey

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Bass - Diane McGuire