Alhambra Theatre to Open CRAZY FOR YOU, 3/20

In 1992, Crazy for You opened on Broadway and won the 1992 Tony Award for Best New Musical and ran for over 1600 performances before closing in 1996. Originally billed as "a new Musical Comedy" by George and Ira Gershwin, the production is heavily based on Girl Crazy, a show written by the songwriting team back in 1930. Crazy for You will open at the new Alhambra Theatre & Dining on March 20.

This high-energy musical comedy tells a story of a stage-struck Bobby, son of a New York banking family, who is sent to Nevada to foreclose on a property that turns out to be a local theater. Instead, he falls head over heels in love with Polly, the theater owner's daughter. How things transpire from that point on is a rollercoaster ride of mistaken identity and plot twists all mixed with a generous portion of Gershwin music, comedy and dance. The show features classic Gershwin songs such as "I Got Rhythm" and "Someone to Watch Over Me."

Crazy for You boasts a 19-person cast, including Kevin Colvert who has been part of three Tony Award-winning shows. Colvert currently resides in New York and received his BFA from Florida State University. Also making her Alhambra debut is Megan Sears. "But the star of this show will be the set," says Alhambra Managing Partner, Craig Smith. The Alhambra has brought in Jason Cole from Kansas City's New Theater to assist in set design and production. Smith continued, "When I saw what Jason did with this show in Kansas City, I wanted to see if he could bring some perspective to our theater. He's worked with closely with our crew, and our guests are in for a treat."

Of course, the real stars of the show are the script, the music and dancing. Said Creative Director, Todd Booth, "This is a very upbeat, very funny, very surprising show. With 19 people it's guaranteed to be a high energy performance." The show is choreographed by James Kinney, a Jacksonville native who graduated Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

As he does with each show, Executive Director DeJuan Roy has created a menu specific to the themes of the show. In this case, Roy has drawn from the opening scene, New York's Little Italy. The first course features Sardi's Split Pea & Ham Soup or Mixed Lettuce Salad with candied walnuts and dried cherries, topped with a goat cheese fritter and a balsamic dressing. For the main course guests can choose from Chicken Parmigiana served over spaghetti and served with broccolini, Oven-Braised Beef Short Ribs with Italian polenta and green beans, Garlic Shrimp Gratin with creAmy Leeks and fresh herbs and Spinach Cannelloni. For dessert, the choices include Authentic Lemoncello cake with butter cream icing or a house-made trio of cannolies featuring Kahlua and cocoa, blood orange and traditional.

Crazy for You will run at the Alhambra March 20 through May 5, 2013. Show time is 8:00 PM for evening shows Tuesday through Sunday. Doors open at 5:45 PM and dinner will be served until 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday are at 1:15 PM. Doors open at 11:00 AM and brunch starts at 11:15 AM. Sunday matinee is at 2:00. Doors open at noon and the meal start at 12:15 PM. Group sales are available. Preview night pricing for the first two nights is available for $38. Regular pricing for tickets starts at $46 for adults and $35 for children. Ticket price includes dinner, show and parking. Call the box office at 904.641.1212 or www.alhambrajax.com.

The Alhambra Theatre & Dining is the nation's longest continuously operating professional dinner theater and the only professional resident theater between Atlanta and Miami. Opened in 1967, The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Tony Curtis, Claude Aiken, Sid Cesar and Cesar Romero, and, recently, Michael Learned, Lance Nichols, Sally Struthers, Barry Williams, Loretta Swit and Jamie Farr. The Alhambra was the place of Betty Grable's final acting role. In November 2009, the Alhambra was purchased by Theatre Partners, LLC, headed by Jacksonville entrepreneur and Alhambra patron, Craig Smith as a way to give back to Jacksonville and preserve what he believes is one of its cultural jewels.

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