Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
continues its "Broadway Series" with Candlewood International’s
production of "Crazy for You," on March 9 at the Walt
Whitman Theatre.
Based on George Gershwin’s "Girl Crazy," the musical
is about how Bobby Child, the son of a rich New York banker,
finds love and salvation in the tiny, drab town of Deadrock,
Nev.
"Crazy for You" has a book by Ken Ludwig and a score
that includes many of Gershwin’s original songs for "Girl
Crazy" ("I Got Rhythm" and "Embraceable You"),
plus songs that were borrowed from other Gershwin musicals.
"Crazy for You" opened on Broadway on Feb. 19, 1992,
at the Shubert Theatre and closed just over a year later. It
won three Tonys (Best Musical, Best Costume Design and Best Choreography)
and two Drama Desk Awards (Musical and Choreography).
The Candlewood production is directed by Paula Sloan and stars
Derek Gates as Bobby Child and Anna Reby as his girlfriend, Polly.
Company director Trinity Wheeler told GO Brooklyn that Sloan
is using the original Broadway choreography of Susan Stroman
("Contact," "The Producers") and a soundtrack
recorded by the National Hungarian Symphony Orchestra.
"The Hungarian Symphony traveled with us on our ’West Side
Story’ tour of Italy," Wheeler said. "It’s an amazing
orchestra."
Candlewood produces what Wheeler calls "bus and truck"
tours; the actors travel by bus, while the set and props go by
truck. So far, the "Crazy for You" caravan has stopped
at venues as far south as Florida and as far west as Illinois.
Wheeler is looking forward to the performance at Brooklyn College
(he’s brought shows there five times previously), because the
Whitman Theatre will give him room to "spread out a bit."
Wheeler said "Crazy for You" is a production that
requires strong performers, people who are called "triple
threats" in the biz – which means they can sing, dance and
act.
"Crazy for You is a show that’s all about singing and dancing,"
he said. "It’s a lot of fun."
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts presents "Crazy
for You" on March 9 at 2 pm at the Walt Whitman Theatre,
2900 Campus Road at Hillel Place, on the campus of Brooklyn College,
one block from the junction of Flatbush and Nostrand avenues.
On May 18, Brooklyn Center will present "The Cotton Club."
For tickets and information, call (718) 951-4500 or visit www.brooklyncenter.com
on the Web.
