"Crazy For You"
Goodspeed Musicals, Goodspeed Opera House
East Haddam, Conn.
Through Aug. 16, 2026
“Crazy For You” may have rhythm, but no amount of impressive percussion and talented performers are enough to save its insufferable plot.
The show – which premiered on Broadway in 1992 – is a throwback to the iconic Gene Kelly-style musicals from the 1950s, à la “An American in Paris” – which also features Gershwin music – and “Singin’ in the Rain.” But it lacks the charm, nostalgia and star power that make those shows classics. The comedy is a Gershwin jukebox musical currently being performed at Goodspeed Musicals, directed by Michael Fling.
Banker Bobby Child is an aspiring Broadway performer desperately trying to convince show producer Bela Zangler to cast him, but even an ensemble of charming showgirls is proving his attempts futile. Meanwhile his insufferable girlfriend is demanding a ring, and his overbearing mother insists he give up the stage nonsense to embrace the family business. She sends him to to foreclose on a theater in Deadrock, Nevada, where he falls for Polly Baker – whose family owns the theater – and instead decides to try to save it by putting on a spectacular show with his showgirl friends. Hey “White Christmas!”
The highlights of the musical are the grand ensemble dance numbers – with choreography by Kelli Barclay – especially Act I’s “Slap that Bass” and “I’ve Got Rhythm.” The former opens with Bobby teaching simple-minded Moose a basic tune on the bass. The excitement grows until the performers have become basses themselves, including the classic choreography where the ladies hold ropes vertically while being “played” by the men behind them. Featured dancer Samuel Colina has his own special moment being “played” while holding a handstand on a chair.
The hands-down best number is “I’ve Got Rhythm,” which manages to stretch out Gershwin’s arguably most popular song for almost ten minutes. The dance leans into a play on rhythm, with dancers using random objects – like buckets, washboards and garden hoes – as percussion instruments to accompany their taps – even sometimes dancing a cappella. It’s a joyful and dynamic closer to the first act.
The humor is full of quick barbs, racier than the innocent comedy that makes the mid-century musicals so endearing. It also has plenty of slapstick antics, which vary between funny and tedious. In one of the most impressive physical comedy scenes, a drunk Bobby dressed as Bela Zangler and the real Bela Zangler stumble around drinking away their broken hearts in mirror images of each other, ending with the quip, “I am beside myself.” Other highlights of physical comedy are when the townspeople randomly re-enact old school Western saloon shootings – complete with dramatic “death” scenes – much to the terror of the outsiders.
But even these scenes – and basically all the non-dance moments – drag. Squirming in my seat, I found myself toward the end of the show looking at my program to count down the remaining numbers.
Despite the material, the performers are solid, with Will Burton and Brittany Zeinstra leading the cast as Bobby and Polly, respectively. With their high kicks, bright smiles and sequined costumes, the Follies girls are charming, bringing grace, joy and humor to every scene.
“Crazy For You” is sparkle over substance, pure escapism for those who just want to turn their minds off for a few hours on a hot summer evening. If that’s your thing, shuffle on over to the Goodspeed – they can’t take that away from you.
