OCTC and O.C. Pops Perform 'Crazy for You' July 1, 3 and 5

The musical that stole Broadway back from Britain comes to Ocean City under the direction of Michael Hartman from the Ocean City Theatre Company and featuring the musical talents of the Ocean City Pops orchestra.

"Crazy For You" combines music, laughter, dancing and dynamic actors into one show made for all. The show includes beautiful George Gerswhin pieces that are upbeat and happy for the crowd to enjoy. With a cast of 24, the theater company will be sure to please audiences.

“When it opened in the '90s it was the era of "CATS," "Phantom of the Opera," "Les Miserables," and "Crazy for You" energizes the American musical theater. And there are songs that have been engrained in society for many, many years,” says Hartman.

Alexandra Paddock, of Atlanta, plays the female lead of Polly Baker.

“The music is killer. It’s a Gershwin score, and it’s pretty awesome to sing as a performer. This is the happiest show I’ve ever been a part of from the music and script to the costumes and choreography. Ot is the quintessential joyous show written at a time where people needed to be happy, and when the arts were uplifting.”

Last year, Paddock performed in the musical "CATS," also presented by OCTC, which is quite a change. While "CATS" is all over jumping, dancing and singing, "Crazy for You" portrays an elegant back story with a classic score, lots of laughs and many different characters.

“It’s a standard boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, girl falls in love with boy, and girl falls in love with someone else. It’s a heartwarming story. The dancing isn’t bad either,” said lead Billy Hart, who portrays Bobby Child on stage.

The character Bobby Child is somewhat of a triple threat on the stage. There were many lines for Hart to remember. The character plays himself in disguise, and there are 11 songs plus tap dancing, which for many is not easy.

“There is something for everyone. It’s a great story, it has great dancing, there are beautifl girls…it’s very Vaudeville. It plays to a lot of different ages,” according to Hart.

And the costumes have the actors even more excited. Costume designer Beth Koperwhats has designed all of the costumes for OCTC’s season, giving each actor’s costume the unique touch it needs.

Billy Hart came back to South Jersey after taking a break from OCTC for a couple years and appreciates the support the town has given them. 

“To see the support the town has given us and Michael and the company is great.”

“This show is great; truly a spectacle. I was nervous but this has been easy and everyone in the cast is eager to make it wonderful. The story really isn’t that complicated and it’s pretty amazing how everything links together. The music spills off to the costumers and the sets and the acting,” explains Hartman.

The theater company opened a new office at 854 Asbury Avenue early this summer, and a costume and prop house on West Avenue as well. Both spaces have given the company the tools needed to put on such a wonderful season.

“There is less stress, the actors and I love having a place to go back to after rehearsals and the shows, and honestly, I do not know how we did without it.”

"Crazy for You" shows July 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th at 7:30 PM, with a special matinee on the 5^th at 2PM. All shows are at the Hughes Performing Arts Center on 6^th Street inside Ocean City High School. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 609-525-9248 or by logging onto the city’s website.