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Review: WHS’ performance of “Crazy for You”

  • Writer: Charity Fitch
    Charity Fitch
  • Aug 21, 2023
  • 3 min read

During its Jan. 26-29 run, the Waxahachie High School drama department’s production of “Crazy for You” was all about pursuing your dreams, proclamations of love and comedic moments.


Set in the 1930s, the musical follows a theater loving New York banker, Bobby Child, played by junior Noah Reynolds, as he is sent by his mother, played by junior Isabella Alcala, to foreclose on a crumbling theater in Deadrock, Nevada, where he meets and falls in love with the daughter of the theater’s owner, Polly Baker, played by junior Abigail Kennedy.


“Crazy for You” was written by Ken Ludwig and contains music by George and Ira Gershwin with most of the pieces being jazz compilations. It was directed by WHS head director Andy Reynolds with WHS head band director Rich Armstrong leading the orchestra and WHS alumna Summer Stevens over choreography.


The citizens of Deadrock are first introduced as a crumbling community of lazy cowboys that “bide their time” by napping and sitting around.


Child arrives in town and meets a headstrong Baker, whom he falls in love with at first sight. He encourages her to put on a show and save the town’s theater. When Child finally introduces himself, Baker becomes angry and is not interested in the man who will shut down their theater, so Child disguises himself as the famous producer, Bela Zangler, and works to save the theater and win Baker’s heart.


With the help of dancers from New York and the Zangler-impersonating Child, the lazy town learns to dance and works together to put on the show, finding purpose in following their dreams. Meanwhile, Baker is falling in love with “Zangler” and refuses to speak with Child.


When no one arrives to see the show’s opening night, Baker reminds the defeated community and Child, (impersonating Zangler), that they are not a failure.


“Before you came along, we were nothin’ but a bunch of lazy drifters,” Baker said. “We didn’t do anything. Then you showed up, and somethin’ magical happened. We’ve been workin’ together and carin’ about things and feelin’ alive.”


As the community celebrates its hard work and newfound purpose through singing and elaborate dancing, the real Zangler arrives, ending Act 1.


Act 2 opens inside the saloon where Child confesses to Baker that he has been Zangler the whole time and she’s really in love with him. The real Zangler, played by junior Eli Nance, walks through the door, and Baker promptly kisses him and leaves.


Zangler and Child, who is impersonating Zangler, sing a dramatic and hilarious duet, mirroring each other in their broken hearts.


“Crazy for You” wasn’t funny because of the effortlessly delivered punch lines alone. It was a combination of the characters’ dramatic reactions and movements that kept the audience entertained and laughing the whole time.


After deciding to cancel the show, Child asks Baker if there is something keeping him in Deadrock. She tells him no, and he leaves for New York.


Baker sings a heartbreaking solo that reminds the audience of what losing love feels like.


“They’re writing songs of love, but not for me,” Baker sang. “It all began so well, but what an end. The climax of a plot, should be the marriage knot, but there’s no knot for me.”

Six weeks later, Child learns that Zangler stayed in Deadrock and produced the show, saving the theater and the town. He decides to follow his heart, return to Deadrock and fight for Baker.


Baker, having similar thoughts, quits the show and plans to leave for New York to see Child.


After missing each other several times, they are finally reunited and express their love for each other.


The next show, “A Haunting We Will Go,” directed by theater teacher and director Paula Myers, will be performed in the Blackbox Theater from Feb. 9-12. The spring musical, “Annie,” is slated for May 11-14.


For more information about upcoming shows and to buy tickets, visit http://whsdramadept.org/22-23- shows.


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© 2022 BY CHARITY FITCH

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