October 05, 2010
'Crazy for You' opens season at McLeod Theater
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Tony-winning Broadway musical "Crazy for You" comes to the McLeod Theater at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to open the 2010-2011 season.
The Department of Theater and the School of Music collaborate to bring this high-energy musical to the stage Oct. 15-17. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. except on Sunday, which is instead a 2 p.m. matinee.
“Crazy for You” tells the story of a rich New York City playboy sent to Deadrock, Nev., to foreclose on a music hall. His business efforts are waylaid by his infatuation with Polly, the local post-mistress and the daughter of the music hall proprietor. The playboy plans to win Polly’s heart, and save the music hall, by producing a Broadway extravaganza.
This musical is filled with song, dance, romance, comedy, spirit, and a dozen or so of Gershwin’s most famous songs, including “Embraceable You,” “I’m Bidin’ My Time,” and “I’ve Got Rhythm.” It has been adapted three times for film, most notably in 1943 with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.
The SIUC production features many of the University’s most talented and well-known performers, including Carl Herzog and Andrea Gedrasik as Polly.
Others in the production include: Richard Zimmerman as Broadway producer Zangler; Natalie Stephens as dance director Tess; Tom Siegrist as a saloon owner and Polly’s suitor; Angie Fisher as Irene, Bobby’s fiancée; Will Coeur as Everett, Polly’s father; Callie Meiners as Bobby’s mother; Nick Lambert and Kelly Stuible as Eugene and Patricia Fodor, English travel writers. Austin Bean, Jacob Hays, Jonathan Hughes, Josh Kimball, Jason Miller, Lawrence O’Neill and Tim Wessel are “cowboys” in town. Cayman Arnold Bone, Samantha Myers, Tannaz Pourboghrat, Katelyn Ratliff, Claire Speers and Allison Weaver are transplanted Follies showgirls who liven up the town.
Courtney Self directs and choreographs, Laurie Lewis provides musical direction, Heidi Larson designed the sets, Stephi Molitor is costumer and Christopher Jorandby handles the lighting.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and $6 for students. Get tickets online at SouthernTicketsOnline.com or call 618/453-6000. Tickets are available in person at the McLeod Theater Box Office noon-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or beginning one hour before each performance.