The upcoming production from Stage Right’s Summer Professional Company is “the the typically crazy, boy-falls-in-love-with-girl story,” said director Tony Marino.
The company will present the appropriately named “Crazy for You” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Hempfield Area High School auditorium, 4345 Route 136.
The romantic comedy musical has lyrics by Ira Gershwin, music by George Gershwin and book by Ken Ludwig.
Billed as “The New Gershwin Musical Comedy,” it is largely based on the renowned songwriting team’s 1930 musical, “Girl Crazy,” but also incorporates songs from several other productions.
“Crazy for You” won the 1992 Best Musical Tony Award.
The story follows Bobby Child (Anthony Marino Jr.), a banker with a yen for show business who is sent to foreclose on a property that turns out to be a theater. He decides to impersonate famous New York producer Bela Zangler and put on a show to save the theater. The real Zangler (Cav O’Leary) shows up and — as they say in the theater — hilarity ensues.
In the meantime, Bobby, who is engaged to Irene (Clare Ivy Stoller), finds himself smitten by Polly (Katherine Harkins). He also must contend with the dastardly Lank Hawkins (Rylan Jenkins Snaith), who wants the theater for himself.
Other featured cast members include Greg Keresten, Ryan Jordan and Aliya Pimental. The ensemble includes students from the Seton Hill University theater program.
“The show features the most famous of all Gershwin hits, ‘I’ve Got Rhythm,’” Marino said, along with other classics such as “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Embraceable You,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”
Accompaniment will be provided by members of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra.
“We are really excited about the company of actors we have for the summer, and this show is the perfect vehicle to show them off,” Marino said. “It’s a great show, a great cast. It’s fun, it’s fast-moving and it has big dance numbers.”
Tickets are $20, or $15 for students and seniors.
The ticket purchase page on the Stage Right website lists the performance location as Hempfield Park, but Marino noted that the show was moved to the school auditorium due to uncertainties about the weather.
For tickets, call 724-832-7464 or visit stagerightgreensburg.com.
