Photos

Crazy for You in the West End with Charlie Stemp – in rehearsals

The much-loved musical is back in the West End

Charlie Stemp in rehearsals for Crazy for You, holding a double bass while speaking to an unseen figure out of frame
Charlie Stemp in rehearsals for Crazy for You, © Johan Persson

Rehearsal images have been released for the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Crazy For You, directed by Susan Stroman.

The show, which features music by George and Ira Gershwin and a book by Ken Ludwig, will play at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London from Saturday 24 June 2023. The musical follows the story of Bobby Child, a theatre enthusiast who is torn between his love for showbusiness and his responsibilities in running his family’s bank. He travels to Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose on a theatre’s mortgage but falls for the owner’s daughter, Polly. Bobby decides to put on a show to save the theatre, renew the town, and win Polly’s love. The production features songs such as “Someone to Watch Over Me”, “I Got Rhythm”, and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me”.

Starring in the production are Charlie Stemp, Carly Anderson, and Tom Edden. Stemp, an award-nominated actor known for his roles in Half a Sixpence and Mary Poppins, plays Bobby Child, while Anderson, who starred in Wicked, plays Polly Baker. Edden, a Drama Desk Award winner, plays Bela Zangler.

The show will also be appearing on The One Show tomorrow night for a special performance.

Joining them in the West End are Natalie Kassanga (Dreamgirls) as Irene Roth, Mathew Craig (We Will Rock You) as Lank Hawkins, Duncan Smith (White Christmas) as Everett Baker, Marilyn Cutts (Funny Girl) as Lottie Child, Sam Harrison (Les Misérables) as Eugene Fodor, Rina Fatania (The Killing of Sister George) as Patricia Fodor and Jack Wilcox (Anything Goes) as Standby Bobby Child.

Completing the cast are Kayleigh Thadani, Kate Parr, Lila Anderson, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Imogen Bowtell, Laura Hills, Ella Valentine, Tara Yasmin, Marc Akinfolarin, Lucas Koch, Philip Bertioli, Jason Battersby, Ashley-Jordon Packer, Nicholas Duncan, Nathan Elwick, Liam Wrate, Joshua Nkemdilim, Nell Martin, Bradley Trevethan, Bethan Downing, Ryan Jupp, Jinny Gould, George Bray.

Beowulf Boritt will be the set designer, while William Ivey Long will design the costumes. Ken Billington will be responsible for the lighting design, while Kai Harada will take care of sound design.

Alan Williams will serve as musical supervisor and musical director, while Doug Besterman and Mark Cumberland will provide new orchestrations. David Krane will handle new arrangements, and Campbell Young Associates will be the wigs, hair, and make-up designer. Jill Green CDG will serve as the casting director, with Richard Pitt as the UK associate director and choreographer. Angelique Ilo will also serve as an associate director and choreographer.

Tickets for the production are on sale below.

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Crazy for You

Closed: 29 December 2023