is CRAZY FOR YOU the show of the year?! | Chichester Festival Theatre Review

[@PiaAguirre]

Just had the pleasure of watching it tonight at the Gillian Lynne! To anyone deciding what to watch while they’re in London - THIS IS IT! I was speechless at how stunning it was, I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time.

[@stacierice3873]

Crazy For You is one of my all time favorite musicals. The songs and dancing more than make up for the lack of plot. It's just a fun show. I'm also a huge fan of tap dancing. LOVE IT!!

[@crazyforyoumusicalfan]

Fully agree, my favourites are Anything Goes & 42nd Street and just like Crazy For You are set in a similar time with similar music and both lack a plot. 42nd street is a bit better on the plot front, but I think these type of classic old shows are literally made and revived to show off rather than tell a story as much. Plus as you said all the creative decisions, orchestrations, costumes, set and performances way outweigh the plot in my mind, as they are there to put on a show!

[@jearnott]

I saw this last night (Thursday) - you were all FANTASTIC! Thank you SO much for a wonderful evening - the audience stood up at the end because we all enjoyed it so much. Have a wonderful run. Charlie was really wonderful - the tap was incredible and such a balletic performance and well done for catching him! We hope to see you all again at Chichester - it’s such a wonderful theatre and we are blessed!

[@NicoleHelenaCates]

Theatre Calgary did Crazy for You a few years ago and I was blown away. Obviously it's a different production but it was directed and choreographed by one person which made such an impact. It made ALL the dancing make sense. Such a fun show and I wish I could see this production!

[@JobyCA749]

A wonderful review. I was so glad to hear that Stro is at the helm of this revival in the UK. Exactly where she should be. She is an inspired director and a superlative choreographer...and has been for decades now. My first experience seeing her exquisite work on the stage goes back to the original production of Crazy For You, which I saw in NY in the early 90s. It was deserving of the Tony for Best Musical, and she was beyond deserving for the Tony she took home for choreography. So many joyous moments in this show. From turning the bodies of female dancers into musical instruments, with the male performers plucking these beautiful human instruments from behind, to the show stopping "I've Got Rhythm," which I can remember all these years later, brought the house down. Complete with a standing o. It would appear that based on the review of the show here, as well as the trailers I have seen, that it is largely replicating much of what was done in the original production in the United Sates. And if so, why not? You don't mess with perfection. I do hope this eventually crosses the pond, or we see it revived here. I would love to see this show again as it remains one of my all time favorites. Probably in my top 5. And it would be interesting to see any changes that have been made. Suffice it to say though that even if there were no changes made from the original production, it remains, in my option, a perfect musical. Stroman is a Broadway goddess in my opinion.

[@stephenhosmer9444]

As an American who had seen the show before, in New York, I must say that Charlie Stemp is an amazing talent and I love everything he did. He was a marvel and I smiled throughout with surprised wonder. Carly, too, was perfect in her part, and both worked well together. The whole cast and crew worked like clockwork. The dancing, singing, pacing, stage movement, and sets--all perfection! What a great evening it was in London on Drury Lane.

[@meganjeg]

This sounds like the experience I had recently seeing An American in Paris. I just saw it in Sydney and LOVED it! Gershwin music is so joyous!

[@Upndouin]

Just seen it today and could not agree more with you!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!! More than Anything Goes (I am still a fan of it though) - booked it last minute because of your review and THANK YOU!

[@lorenbennington4952]

Im curently in a production of Crazy For You as one of the Cowboys. The plot is meh but the songs are great ans after a while the whole thing grows on you. Glad its getting a nice little revival in the uk! 💕

[@williamgardiner2010]

It’s not a little production. It’s cost several millions to stage!

[@David-le2kr]

I like the original show, Girl Crazy, but Ken Ludwig, in re-writing the piece into Crazy for You, accomplished something special. It keeps the spirit of the old timey musicals while muscling up the humor and the feels. It is a phenomenal, perfectly structured show. I saw the Tony award-winning original with Jodi Benson (Disney's original Ariel), but my favorite production was the in-the-round staging at the Candlelight in Chicago in the 90s. I imagine a thrust stage served the show well.

[@chuckoneill2023]

I loved Candlelight, RIP. We saw Little Shop of Horrors there, really enjoyed it.

[@karenblackman10]

My friend and I got tickets for this in August on a whim, thinking it would probably be fun - now I really cannot wait!

[@PaddyBriggs]

Good review of a great show. Worth saying that the staging and choreography links to the original 1992 production are strong. The brilliant “I’ve Got Rhythm” is pretty much the same. Also maybe worth mentioning “Girl Crazy” stage musical and film which (sort of) was the originator of Crazy for You. Stemp was outstanding and Cameron M will surely want to bring him the show to a big London proscenium stage theatre like the Palladium.

[@sarahskelton6523]

I think we were there the same day. Just a FABULOUS production. Might have to go again to see the bits I missed.

[@PJBelfield]

I went over to watch this in Chichester last week while it was still in previews and I absolutely loved it. It's a brilliant production. It's worth all of the superlatives . This is probably my favourite of the near 30 shows I've seen this year. Charlie is just incredible in this. It's such a fun night out. I agree that It is everything that musical theatre should be and it is executed perfectly. The Gershwin music is some of the best ever written and this production really did it justice.

[@hannahmariewilliamsmusic7990]

It is wonderful to see you so excited for a show! I definitely hope for a Broadway transfer so I may see it!

[@jearnott]

It’s truly fantastic! If you get this production, you are in for a treat!

[@missaj5623]

I have loved Crazy For You since I was a teenager. I kept seeing posters for it as it was on at my local theatre in Birmingham. Finally my Mum went to ask about it but they said they were old posters and it was no longer running. I was really disappointed cause I had only just seen the posters and they had no dates on. I got the soundtrack and fell in love with that and sort of got the plot from the sleeve notes and the songs. So got to enjoy it but not properly. Then saw a Gershwin celebration thing on TV and they performed two of the songs so I really wanted to see it all over again. Then we found an amateur production was on at another local theatre. Went to see that and despite it being amateur (my GP was in it) it was so much fun and finally understood more about the plot seeing it on stage (as you say paper thin but a lot of fun.). I had a great time. Was going to see it again a few years later at the same theatre and again an amateur production but a fire alarm went off before it started so we had to go home while they investigated what had set it off as there was no obvious fire. I had really been looking forward to seeing it again so sad we had to miss out. Then it was suddenly back on again at the Hippodrome in Birmingham and a professional production this time. I couldn't book my tickets fast enough. It was a brilliant fun production with a well deserved standing ovation at the end, I loved every minute of it. Would love to see this production but caring responsibilities means I can't get to Chichester or London so hope it goes on tour and comes to Birmingham again as I would love to see it again.

[@clarejones2268]

So excited seeing crazy for you next Saturday 🥰🥰

[@thomasmurphy83]

I remember the original run on Broadway. Truly striking to see as a younger dancer. Hopefully this comes to NY!

[@pcssc2634]

Ditto!

[@williamfairchild7439]

I am really looking forward to seeing Crazy For You with Charlie Stemp at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London in 2023

[@kchrules775]

A community production of Crazy For You is one of the first shows I ever did. I love the show so much

[@CatsandDragons]

I loved the 2016 production at The Watermill Theatre, starring Tom Chambers. As you say, there's not much of a plot, but the music and dancing is sublime, and of course being a Watermill production was a small cast of actor musician dancers. This Chichester production sounds fabulous.

[@supercoolbrian5929]

I saw the 1-night only revival of this show in New York in 2017 when they were trying to get it back on Broadway with Laura Osnes and Tony Yasbeck...it was actually announced for Broadway right before the pandemic and then was canned.

[@beckyunderwood4220]

The Stroman choreography is worth the price of admission, but the entire show is unremittingly charming. We saw it twice in New York, and it sounds like they’ve brought the charm across the pond for the UK. Lucky you!

[@Michael-wr1yy]

We have just seen this at Chichester and yes it is The Show Of The Year. Truly outstanding. The whole cast gel together led by the fantastic Charlie Stemp.

[@noodleperson17]

Excellent review. Plot, schmlot - not important (just like a Fred and Ginger film). It's the phenomenal dancing, the singing, the costumes, the staging, the wit (love the dig at Les Mis) and 'post-modern' choreography, the charm. Seeing it for 5th time at GL Theatre soon. Am I slightly obsessed??

[@rachelj2795]

I got goosebumps just listening to this review! I've got my fingers crossed that it will be in the West End soon!

[@williamgardiner2010]

It may well be staged in London next year.

[@BatmanLover1099]

I came across Crazy For You for the first time from a ship I was into in high school , and still one of my faves!

[@QuarterMoonRachel]

I saw this on Monday. Thought it was absolutely fantastic! Was blown away by Charlie Stemp and all the choreography - the chairs sequence and the dancing on the trays were particularly impressive. Edit: yes the saloon two Bella's scene was fabulous too!

[@janeyoung474]

Fantastic review! Thank you. We're going next month to see the show.

[@stevnor99]

Glad you loved it! I saw the original in Jan 1996 & booked the following day to see it again. Interesting one - Craig Revel Horwood taught the show in South Africa when it was mounted here in the mid 1990's as a full replica production.

[@Showtunediva]

I hope this show comes to Broadway. I’d absolutely see it.

[@mariocossa991]

I saw this show twice in NYC in its original run, once in London, and even once in Sydney. I was even in a community theatre production of it in Western Mass. Your review makes me remember why I loved it so much. You didn't mention it but Stroman's choreography of "Slap That Base" was an equally brilliant integration of props and dancers.

[@nicoletrudell2065]

From your detailed descriptions, its apparent they've used the exact original Broadway choreography from the 90s, and you can easily see why. Old-fashioned type shows are not usually my thing. My recent one-and-done old-timey theatergoing includes the excellent Anything Goes production you mentioned, as well as the current Broadway revivals of The Music Man and Funny Girl (though admittedly I might opt to head back to FG for the drama 😂). I usually don't feel the desire to sed these types of shows a second time, because while I usually enjoy the spectacle, I don't connect to them on a deeper level. Crazy for You was one of the first shows I ever saw on Broadway after moving close enough to get myself there. You would think as a young person I wouldn't feel a connection to it. But as someone who had just started a journey away from doing what was expected to pursue a different path, I related to Bobby so much. I ended up seeing the show four times, the first with most of the original cast still intact, and the last when their idea of stunt casting included Alice from the Brady Bunch. 😂 It didn't matter; it was luminous every time. I can barely afford anything after the London trip I just returned from, but badly want to try to fly out for this nonetheless.

[@hefinrosser8685]

What an amazing show. The songs are incredible. The characters are fab. I've played Bella Zangler in 2 very different productions. I'd love to see this production, it's fast a joy. Luckily as Zangler I didn't have to dance lol

[@CarSVernon]

I watched this at the Stratford Festival in Canada, loved it while it lasted, but remember very little.

[@djster27]

From what you discrib on staging and choreography that this is the 92-93 Broadway/ London run of Crazy for You with little if anything being changed. It was an excellent show then and I’m sure it still hold up well now.

[@RJFernandez-pc6rk]

I am looking forward to the show Gillian Lynne Theater!

[@1pureboy1]

Fun fact…Craig Revell Horwood was in the original London cast at the Prince Edward.

[@williamgardiner2010]

The only bit that Susan Stroman left out of her revival was that spectacular fall down the staircase.

[@leebridges1674]

Glad you made it through the heat; I've been enjoying your articulate reviews. May I ask if you started as an actor/musician? Directing? Drama or literature student?

[@aledjenkins4893]

Fantastic musical. Saw it in the theatre royal Bath a couple of months ago . Your right not Shakespear but a fun feel good musical with a Killer score and what sound like a superb cast .Mama Mia eat your heart out

[@brianeduardo1234]

Saw it in the Prince Edward in 93 I thing probably before you were born - enjoyed it I remember but that’s all!!!!

[@MsSoundguy]

Please, please, please be right about Crazy for You coming back to Broadway. It was an utterly enjoyable evening when it first ran, and the time is just so right for it.

[@jamescarson6823]

I saw the original in 1993 on Broadway. It was the choreography that blew me away. Not sure if they kept it the same or if Stroman changed anything. After almost 30 years, I can still remember the final pose of a number that was a human and chair pyramid. I think it was her first Tony award.

[@lemonsnicker2568]

I didn’t see the booth when I went :(, really enjoyed it though 5/5 it was incredible

[@stephaniehibbert2270]

I was lucky to see this amazing show in London with Ruthie Henshall. Do we know if it will return to the West End?

[@bettymaines6305]

After the trauma / drama of the past two year: , that oh yeah is still ongoing in one form or another , maybe an old fashioned paper thin plot maybe just what we need , or least want.

[@PipReads]

Cries in Australia. I guess we will see this in 5-10 years

[@PS-DLMA]

Georgie Parker....yes the golden logie girl of All Saints and Home & Away was the leading lady in the early 90s production of it :)

[@peedlejaydle]

I am not meeting you for the first time so does that mean your name changes? :p love your channel, thanks for making such great content x

[@petertod8354]

Another five star evening of theatre experience can also be found - until 20th August - at the Curve in Leicester, who have created a powerful new production of BILLY ELLIOT. Get up to Leicester for another special evening of brilliant theatre.

[@yayshowvids6427]

Already commented on my other account, but just wanted to add there was never a song called “Crazy for You” in the musical on Broadway - was it added for this production?

[@malcolmzarb78]

Hii! Can you please review & Juliet???? Im thinking of watching it but im not sure. Thanks :) Btw tysm for today's video :)

[@cedgson91]

I remember Stomp Was one of my favourite shows 🥰 Hadn’t heard of Crazy for you or the Chichester theatre before Sounds great Also did I got rhythm in a school choir

[@jamescarson6823]

Is Stomp no longer playing in the UK? Still going strong here in the states. I worked on it for a while and did the HBO special so it has a good place in my heart as one of my favorites.

[@jamessheridan4306]

And YOU keep cool my friend. I'm surprised you made it out of the house what with all the reports we're getting over here about that heat wave. Did you at least have a Flake?

[@daveford12]

You’ve got the new billy Elliott to see yet 🤣🤣

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Saw it last night! Review coming soon... 👀

[@nigelmenard4967]

Saw it in Toronto with mickey rooney.

[@helenoliver4539]

One of the plus sides of being older is that I was around to see this (repeatedly) in the West End with the incredible Ruthie Henshall. It’s been one of my top 5 musicals ever since. I cannot wait to see this revival and your vlog has made me even more excited! I can still remember the incredible choreography and roof lifting moments at the end of Act 1. I’m sure you will have seen this video of Ruthie and “I’ve got rhythm”, but if you haven’t, you might be interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXPZlKB9hJqVgpI&feature=share Bear with it as the credits do disappear just in the nick of time for the tap and the pendulum moments. Oh and spot Craig Revel-Horwood.

[@murdojack3158]

CARLY ANDERSON USED TO BE MY SINGING TEACHER!!!

[@lawrieb123]

i commented before you

[@murdojack3158]

@@lawrieb123 the notification took ages to come through lmao

[@mely1955]

Thanks

[@maryluke8611]

Is this. the same "Crazy For You " that I saw with Tommy Tune and Twiggy in the 1980s? I saw it in Boston.

[@thomasbradley4505]

That was My One and Only, which also featured Gershwin music

[@maryluke8611]

@@thomasbradley4505 OK thanks.

[@MarcusMartn]

When you take photos in the booth are they free?

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Yes!

[@notsomarvellousannie7306]

I always look forward to your videos! Like I’m sat here super invested in a review of a show I never would have heard about! So thank you!! ❤️✨ (Also would be super interested in hearing your take on Doubtfire UK casting/the transfer in general since it’s pretty unfortunate broadway timing/run!) 💕✨

[@PS-DLMA]

Encore did a one night semi concert staged by Stroman a few years ago (Tony Yazbak, Laura Osnes, Rachel Bloom) and it was meant to be transferred.....Osnes (due to cov vax stance) did do the recent off broadway and was replaced by Sierra Boggess

[@toric6005]

🤞🏼it goes to Broadway

[@faffolite]

Has been on broadway

[@lawrieb123]

when the actress playing polly is your singing teacher

[@murdojack3158]

hey lawrie xoxox

[@paulwebbiweb]

It is great. I enjoyed it a lot, but it's not ground-breaking. Just about all the features of the show are familiar to anyone who has looked at past productions, including amateur ones, on KZbin. There are no real surprises here. A lot depends on Charlie Stemp, who has a fun personality and great energy. Without him it would be fairly run of the mill. He dances a lot and dances well, but he isn't the absolute best dancer one can imagine. When he was leaping about the stage I couldn't help thinking back to Robbie Fairchild in that other Gerschwin musical, American in Paris. The dancing (and staging) of American in Paris were in a different, higher league. Also some things weren't quite tight enough. When Stemp as the fake Zangler does the mirroring scene with Tom Edden as the real Zangler, it's good, it's fun, but they are not always quite as perfectly in synch as one might hope for. (At least that was the case the night I was there.)

[@natashakingston8302]

I've never seen it

[@elaineroom6358]

I know this won't be popular, but we thought it was over acted.

[@theretrogamer9802]

I do not agree that there is a lack of plot. What about mistaken identity? Each character has a journey written into the book of this show. The songs express the feelings and motivation behind the character action, along with the choreography. It is not a silly or pointless 'jukebox musical' with no book or character journey. This plot is similar to those used in the the magical musical films of the 30s starring Fed and Ginger, do you consider those movie plots to be thoughtless as well? You suggest that this musical is as plotless as present day 'jukebox musicals' that do not even have a script. You need to be very clear in the distinction between a musical such as Crazy for You and how important the book is compared to many present day musicals that quite often do not have any written book to integrate the music. This musical was created from scratch in the 90s by an extremely collaborative and talented group of individuals. Please do some more research before criticising such an incredibly successful and thoughtfully conceived piece of musical theatre. Musicals are not made like this anymore.

[@natashakingston8302]

Is there any show you would refuse to review??

[@0530evan]

has CHARLIE now left MARY POPPINS ??????????

[@bee-72]

He is back 26th Sept until it closes

[@0530evan]

great.....he makes the show

[@williamgardiner2010]

Sorry Mickey. You must be educated in basic grammar. The audience are ‘seated’ around the stage, they are not ‘sat’ around the stage.

[@waynedevonald9335]

It's not my cup of tea! I've never enjoyed the old school American dancing razzle dazzle style musical!x

[@sarac.3259]

Not sure why you are commenting then. Strange.

[@waynedevonald9335]

@sarac.3259 Its just my opinion & 2 b that is ridiculous so we should only comment if we like something?

[@PaddyBriggs]

Thanks