'Crazy for You' at Engeman Theater in Northport
'Crazy for You," the 1992 best musical Tony winner now boisterously engaged by Northport's Engeman Theater, revived one of the loveliest Broadway scores ever - "Girl Crazy," the 1930 musical that introduced Ginger Rogers and Ethel Merman to stardom.
The show was adapted three times for film - including a 1965 version featuring Herman's Hermits called "When the Boys Meet the Girls." But the silly plot and egregious stereotypes discouraged any Broadway revival. Along came playwright Ken Ludwig ("Lend Me a Tenor"), who transformed the plot - keeping only the songs and the Manhattan-boy-goes-west theme.
"Crazy's" comic story line remains silly, if inoffensive. But it accomplishes the great service of embracing such George and Ira Gershwin gems as "Embraceable You," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "I Got Rhythm" and "But Not for Me." Donny Jones' six-man orchestra makes like a big band on ballads as well as dance extravaganzas - choreography slickly re-created by Vic DiMonda from Susan Stroman's original - framed and accessorized glamorously by Michael Bottari and Ronald Case's set and costume designs and Martin Vreeland's lighting.
But top-notch production values wouldn't matter without romantic leads to sing and dance the show to life. Eric Santagata of Broadway's "Happiness" and Pilar Millhollen ("A Chorus Line" national tour) don't disappoint. Santagata as stagestruck bank brat Bobby Child, sent to Nevada to foreclose on a theater, dazzles with his flashing-feet dance chops, while Millhollen as Polly, whose family treasure is being foreclosed, sings like a very talented girl next door. Completing director Alan Souza's aptly cast ensemble are Brian Gonzales as producer Bela Zangler (think Flo Ziegfeld), Michael Sample as annoying saloon keeper Lank, Erin Mosher as Bobby's jilted fiancee, David Houston as Polly's dad, Joan St. Onge paired with Richard Rowan as the stiff-upper-lip Fodors of travel guide fame, plus leggy chorines and agile pratfallers.
Set in the Depression era, "Crazy for You" exudes an nutty optimism we could all use a dose of just about now.
WHAT The Gershwin musical "Crazy for You"
WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 16 at John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, 250 Main St.
INFO $60, engemantheater.com, 631-261-2900
