There are those who say that tap dancing is a lost art, and if that’s true, the Garland Summer Musicals’ and Director Buff Shurr’s production of ‘Crazy for You’ has brought it back to life. The effect of more than 25 tap dancers on stage during some of the numbers is a spectacular treat for the audience.
Set in the 1930s in New York and Deadrock, Nevada, the show tells the story of a young man who is sent by his banker mother to foreclose on a theatre in a dried up Nevada town but instead falls in love with the daughter of the owner and becomes a part of the effort to save the theatre.
The new Gershwin musical, music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and book by Ken Ludwig, features songs including “I Got Rhythm” and “Slap That Bass” that are perfect for the cast of talented vocalists and dancers.
Stephanie Riggs and Joseph Jones are wonderful in the lead roles of Bobby and Polly and Riggs’ rendition of “Someone to Watch over Me” is beautiful. Stan Graner is also a standout in the role of Bella Zangler.
Jones, along with Julie Russell Stanley, also serves as the show’s choreographer.
The talented cast also includes: Steven J. Golin as Lank Hawkins; Rose-Mary Rumbley as Mother; Christine Cunningham Phelan as Irene Roth; Phil Alford as Everett Baker; Delynda Johnson-Moravec as Eugenia Fodor and Jill Lightfoot as Patricia Fodor; Caren Sharpe-Herbst as Tess; Steve Beene as the Bartender and Linda Frank as the Banker. Follies Girls are: Briana Abbott; Mindy Neuendorff; Stephanie Butler; Caitlin Jones; Lori Jones; Katie Nicholas; McKenna Woodlan; Alex Altshuler; Helena Lynch and Brittany Stahl. Cowboys include: Brad Weatherford; Nicholas Winterrowd; David Helms; Sammy Swim; Adam Henley; Isaiah Harris; Joshua Scott; Joshua Kumler; Carlos Gomez; Nick Chabot and Mark Quach.
Also standouts of this production are the elaborate, beautiful sets designed by Donna Marquet and constructed by Master Carpenter Joseph Murdock.
Performances are held in the Brownlee Auditorium at the Granville Arts Center, 300 North Fifth Street in downtown Garland. Remaining shows are Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19 and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 24-26. Showtime on Friday and Saturday nights is 8 p.m. Sunday shows are at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the arts center box office or by calling 972-205-2790. On- line ticketing is available at www.garlandartsboxoffice.com.