REVIEW: Moonlight scores again with ‘Crazy For You’

For starters, there’s the music and lyrics by the legendary duo of George and Ira Gershwin.

Billed as the “new Gershwin musical comedy” when it debuted in Broadway in 1992, the musical was largely based on the pair’s 1930 production of “Girl Crazy,” which included the songs “Bidin’ My Time,” “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm” and “Could You Use Me.”

In addition to these numbers, “Crazy for You” includes “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Slap That Bass” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”

Added to the mix is a strong cast, impressive dance numbers (which director John Vaughan recreates from the original Broadway production, choreographed by Susan Stroman) and impressive sets, making this a charming and winning play.

Jeffrey Scott Parsons stars as Bobby Child, who is being groomed for an important position within his family’s banking company.

His passion, however, is elsewhere. He wants to be a Broadway star and his daydreams often include chorus dancers, especially those who are directed by Bela Zangler.

Child is sent off to visit a western outpost, appropriately named Deadrock, Nev., to foreclose on the Gaiety Theater, which is in such dire straights that it’s now used only as the mining town’s post office. It is is kept up by Everett Baker, who dreams of its former glory and his daughter, Polly, the only woman left in town.

For Child, it’s love at first sight when he meets the strong-willed, whiskey-chugging Polly (portrayed by Rose Ouelette, whose singing voice is one the production’s biggest treats).

The problem is, she’s predisposed to hate him, since he’s the heartless suit that’s supposed to come into town and put her father out on the street.

In order to win her love — and save the theater — Child comes up with a plan, to put on a show. He impersonates Zangler, calls up his chorus girls and recruits the surprisingly melodic scruffy miners who inhabit Deadrock to put on the musical.

Things are complicated when Polly starts falling for Zangler, and when the bad guy bar owner Lank — who wants to marry Polly too — sets up to ruin the show or run Child out of town.

Randall Dodge is a standout as Lank, one of the few characters in the show who doesn’t sing or dance. But his gruff delivery and comedic timing are very fun to watch. He’s one of two members of the Actor’s Equity Association, along with Tracy Lore who plays Irene, Child’s haughty fiance.

Lore has one of the production’s funniest numbers in “Naughty Baby,” which also features Dodge.

Other memorable moments in the show include the numbers that feature the entire company, such as “Slap that Bass,” “I Got Rhythm” and “The Real American Folk Song.”

The impressive sets, which go from Times Square to the rustic town in a matter of seconds, also show off the Moonlight’s new stagehouse.

Tickets for the production range from $22 to $45 and are available by calling 760-724-2110 or online at www.moonlightstage.com.