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Stages St. Louis shows once again why it’s a St. Louis favorite with rip-roaring production of ‘Crazy for You’

By Daniel Hines
Publisher
America’s Seniors at TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com

There was hardly a dry eye in the house for the  production of Stages St. Louis’ production of ‘Crazy for You.’

It wasn’t that the performance was sad…it wasn’t that it was bad...it was because people were laughing so hard, in between humming tunes that make up what may be one of the best collection of songs ever to grace a musical, that tears were coming to their eyes.

In short, Stages St. Louis once again showed by it has become a St. Louis favorite.  This rambunctious performance is so delightful and energy-packed that it’s worth seeing time and time again…and fortunately regional theater fans will have that opportunity since the show runs through October 7.  I cannot recommend this production too strongly.  If you like great music, dancing and singing get your reservations in A.S.A.P.

Let’s take a look at just a few of the great songs in this show first:

‘Bidin’ my Time’ ; ‘Shall We Dance?’; ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’; ‘Slap That Bass’ ; ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ ;  ‘I Got Rhythm’ ; ‘Naughty Baby’ ; ‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’ ; ‘But Not for Me’ ; ‘Nice Work if You Can Get It’.  And, there are other equally entertaining numbers interspersed throughout, courtesy of the legendary Ira Gershwin and Gus Kahn and Desmond Carter. 

But all of this would mean nothing unless the performers are up to the task of bringing this production all the way home—and Stages has outdone itself this time was stage sets, choreography, strong individual performances, costuming and some really great individual performances. 

If you’re not familiar with the show, here’s a quick synopsis:

Bobby Child, played with absolute perfection by David Elder, is the son of a dominating and wealthy overly doting Mother, played by Stages’ favorite, Zoe Vonder Haar.  Bobby is heir to the family fortunes.  But, there’s a problem, he want to dance…and dance…and dance. But, he is always turned down by Bela Zangler, the producer of the Zangler Follies.

So Mother sends him on behalf of the family owned bank to foreclose on a property in Deadrock, NV.  It’s a Ghost Town that doesn’t realize it’s dead yet.

This sets off a series of improbable events in which Bobby discovers two true loves—Polly Baker, played by Julie Tolivar, and the town’s decrepit theater. 

What follows is the arrival in town of the Follies’ chorus line, part of a ploy in which  Bobby takes on the character of producer Zangler, which leads to an unforeseen problem—Polly falls in love with ‘Zangler’ who is really Bobby.  Things get really complicated with the real Zangler shows up and Bobby realizes that he is in danger of losing not only Polly, but the theater. 

It’s non-stop madcap after that.  Mother shows up,  falls in love with the simple-minded (only in the show) Father of Polly (Whit Reichert), while Bobby’s fiancé, Irene,  arrives to take Bobby back to New York, but instead falls in love with the town’s troublesome bar owner, Lank Hawkins, played by another Stages’ favorite, Steve Isom.  Irene, (Kari Ely) who through much of the early part of the show is properly ‘bitchy’ as a rich socialite, turns seductress as she establishes her dominance over Lank is a number that is both hot and humorous. 

 Zangler, (Jeffrey C. Wolf) whose wife has left him, shows up to proclaim his love for Tess (a really very beautiful Molly Mahoney).  It sets the stage for one of the funniest sequences I have seen in recent years as the two Zangler’s, having drunk themselves into a stupor, provide mirror images of each other’s actions, even the stumbles and pouring of drinks.  The problem: Women, of course.  Zangler wants Tess.  Bobby (Zangler II) wants Polly. 

You can probably figure out how this is all going to end…but you might be a bit surprised.  See the show.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the outstanding performers of this evening.  Actually, I don’t think I saw a weak link.  But some words about David Elder, Julie Tolivar and Jeffrey C. Wolf are in order. 

Elder is absolutely delightful.  He is a talented singer and dancer, plus he allows the audience to get to know him.  Ms. Tolivar handled the challenge of the many songs she was called upon to deliver, ranging from an Ethel Merman-like quality on ‘I Got Rhythm) to softer, really touching love songs.  My wife, Brooks, believes that Wolf has a Kevin Kline-type quality.

But, there were so many really outstanding performances that I must apologize to those that are not mentioned. 

A final thought—there is a special quality of Stages St. Louis, and this production encompasses it beautifully.  It’s the intimacy and the energy—and, quite frankly, the fun that the performers always seem to be having—that make Stages St. Louis unique.  That’s why I can say to all them, I’m just ‘Crazy About You.’