The Marion Palace Theatre is “crazy” with excitement over the start of the 2016-17 season. Kicking off the line-up of entertainment is a local production of “Crazy for You.”
Selecting a musical title is an arduous and challenging process, which begins many months before the show is cast. Theatre management and PCAA Board members meet to discuss the options presented by potential Directors as well as requests received from patrons.
“Crazy for You” Director Clare Cooke reveals, “the deciding factor for choosing ‘Crazy for You’ is that we have a very talented group of well-trained tap dancers right now. I’ve always felt the audience loves a high-energy dance show.”
Filled with non-stop Gershwin hit songs, “Crazy for You” will reel audiences in with show-stopping musical numbers, high-energy dances and a hilarious boy meets girl storyline. Production numbers include “Slap That Bass,” “I Can’t Be Bothered Now,” “I Got Rhythm,” and unforgettable ballads “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “But Not For Me,” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”
This Tony Award winning love story is brought to life with music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. Matt Meade plays a young New York bank heir, Bobby Child, who dreams of dancing on Broadway but instead finds himself in a tiny Nevada town to foreclose on a theatre. While in Nevada, Bobby meets and falls in love with the theatre owner’s daughter, Polly (played by Danielle Knight). Bobby devises a spectacular plan to put on a show to save the failing theater and to win Polly’s heart.
Additional leads cast in the production are Mike Cochran as Eugene Fodor, Bruce Cudd as Everett Baker, Hannah Fuller as Patricia Fodor, Blake Huffaker as Lank Hawkins, Dustin Rawlins as Bela Zangler and Amanda Zucker as Irene Roth. Rounding out the cast in supporting roles are Kristi Wink as Tess, Sadie Wink as Patsy, Heather Grovemiller as Vera, Andy Harper as Perkins/Custus, Justen LaPlante as Harry. Cast as Follies Girls are Addy Baird, Kim Bradshaw, Olivia Brazell, Lynn Jamison, Sydney Randall, and Audrey Watkins. Portraying Cowboys in the musical will be Parker Baird, Kirk Detweiler, Bishop Oldfield, Tait Palm, Jay Reid, Ryan Swartz, Tanner Wink and Chris Wylie.
The show’s golden voiced ensemble includes Kelly Andrews, Linda Fargo, Paige Filliator, Sara Grote, Katie Haught, Judy Little, Sarah Perkins, Nash Randall, Anna Rasmussen, Faith Reid, Hanah Reiff, and Moira Vaughn.
Under the direction of Clare Cooke the artistic team includes Assistant Director/Choreographer Kristi Wink, Orchestra Director George Schram, Vocal Director Blake Huffaker, Set Construction and Design Mike Andrews, Set Artwork Audrey Watkins, Costume Director Susan Wenig, Rehearsal/Pit Pianist Dee Ehrman, Stage Manager Barb Yaksic, and Assistant Stage Manager Rhonda Arnold.
Five show dates are scheduled to take place on the historic main stage. Performance days include Saturday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 10 at 2 p.m.; Friday, July 15 & Saturday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 17 at 2 p.m.
Patrons are encouraged to order tickets early for the best seating. Tickets for “Crazy for You” may be purchased at the Palace Theatre Box Office, 276 W. Center St. in downtown Marion or by phone at 740/383-2101 during box office hours.
Box office hours are 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Patron and Adult show tickets are also available online www.marionpalace.org.
Tickets are $40 Patrons, $22/$18 Adults, and $12 Children ages 12 and under. Patrons purchasing a $40 ticket will enjoy premium seating during the show, have their names listed in the summer musical program book, and receive an invitation to the “Crazy for You” post-show party on opening night.
“Crazy for You” supporting sponsor is United Bank and the production is funded by the Ohio Arts Council. Media sponsor is WMRN-AM.
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