Yazbeck and Goldyn Led MSMT CRAZY FOR YOU Opens 6/27

Maine State Music Theatre continues its 2009 season with the award winning "Crazy for You." Winner of three Tony Awards (including Best Musical in 1992), two Drama Desk Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards, the show dazzles audiences with spectacular dance numbers and catchy, toe-tapping songs.

The musical is filled with standard tunes from American song-writing duo George and Ira Gershwin and a book by Ken Ludwig. "Crazy for You" opened on Broadway in 1992 and subsequently opened in the West End in London in 1993.

The production runs from June 24th until July 11th at the Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College. Opening Night is this evening, Saturday June 27th. Tickets range from $29 to $52 and are available by calling (207) 725-8769, in person at the box office located in the theater lobby, or online at www.msmt.org.

In the past few decades Gershwin standards have catapulted back into the spotlight. This resurgence is largely due to the enthusiasm of a younger generation that has a fondness for vintage tunes from the Gershwin era. In order to bring new life to these staples of American music, musicals like "Crazy for You" are being developed and produced. Based on the Gershwin's 1930s hit Broadway show "Girl Crazy", "Crazy for You" features many of the same songs from the original production as well as other Gershwin favorites with an updated story.

"Crazy for You" follows the journey of singer/dancer hopeful Bobby Child as he leaves the glamour of New York City for Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose on a local rundown theater. Upon arriving in Deadrock he falls instantly in love with Polly Baker, the daughter of local theater owner, Everett Baker. Mishaps, mayhem, and mistaken identity ensue as Bobby fights for not only the theater and his career in showbiz, but his shot at love with Polly as well. Combine this with the nearly two dozen Gershwin standards including "Embraceable You," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Naughty Baby," "Someone to Watch Over Me," and "I Got Rhythm" and hilarity is sure to arise as Bobby and company tap dance their way through this delightfully fun American musical.

MSMT's production will star Broadway's Tony Yazbeck and Jessica Lee Goldyn in the leading roles of Bobby Child and Polly Baker. Tony and Jessica can be seen in the documentary "Every Little Step" which chronicles performers throughout the audition process for the recent Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line" in which they both starred.

David Hess, seen on Broadway most recently in the revival of "Sweeney Todd" and also the accompanying national tour, will join the production as Lank Hawkins, the local saloon owner in Deadrock.

In her MSMT debut, Lara Seibert, last seen in the Broadway production of "Young Frankenstein", will play Bobby's wealthy fiance, Irene Roth.

In addition, MSMT veterans Connie Shafer and Dennis St. Pierre add flavor to the stage as Bobby's wealthy mother and zany producer Bela Zangler. Dennis was seen last summer as Jean Valjean in MSMT's 50th Anniversary Season production of Les Miserables.

"Crazy for You" is the second show of MSMT's fifty-first season. The summer season will also include the titles: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," and "The Drowsy Chaperone." In addition, MSMT will present "Schoolhouse Rock, Live!" as a part of its Theatre for Young Audiences season and a special concert event: the a cappella sensation, Toxic Audio. Individual tickets and season tickets are still available. Detailed show information is available on MSMT's website.

Photo 1 Tony Yazbeck and Jessica Lee Goldyn

Photo 2 Lara Seibert, David Hess, Tony Yazbeck and Jessica Lee Goldyn
Photo credit John Loft