Review: QV Musical Cast Enchants in 'Crazy For You'

Who could ask for anything more? Gershwin perfectly sums up Quaker Valley High School’s spring musical “Crazy for You” in the lyrics of his song “I Got Rhythm.”

Set in podunk Deadrock, NV, the show is filled with a cast of talented students, unlike the desolate mining town where cowboys can’t sing a note. With perfectly choreographed tapping, sweet voices and energy bursting through its seams, “Crazy For You” has all the ‘fixins to be entertaining all the way through.

Bobby Child, played by senior Johnny Falconi, is the son of a wealthy banker and aspiring actor. When he arrives in Deadrock to foreclose on an old theater, he meets Polly Baker, (sophomore Rachael House) whose father owns the Gaiety Theater. She is rather feisty, but Bobby immediately falls in love with her.

The plot is interspersed with welcome and familiar Gershwin tunes, such as “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Embraceable You.”

Falconi and Houser, both strong singers and tap dancers, complement each other onstage and have great chemistry. As Bobby and Polly warm up to each other, he suggests putting on a show at the Gaiety Theater. Polly thinks it’s a great idea until she finds out that he has been sent to foreclose the theater and thinks it’s all a trick.

This leaves Bobby with no choice but to disguise himself as famous New York City producer Bela Zangler to stay close to Polly and finally get his chance to be on stage.

The featured tap dancers dazzle in all of the dance numbers, but particularly in the show-stopping “I Got Rhythm.” This number makes you want to jump out of your seat and start dancing.

Polly falls in love with the charming Hungarian Zangler, who is just Bobby in a mustache and wig. Falconi shines as Zangler, and his accent, mannerisms and body language are right on target.

Then  Irene (Kara Montanile), Bobby’s snobby fiance, shows up in Deadrock and threatens to blow his cover if he refuses to go back to New York with her. Montantile’s beautiful voice is unfortunately underused, as she only has one solo number, “Naughty Baby.”

Bobby isn’t the only one trying to avoid a mismatched significant other. Polly has also been spoken for by Lank Hawkins (Ryan Garbee), a saloon owner who also plans to buy the theater and is outraged by Zangler’s popularity in Deadrock. Garbee plays the role of the town buffoon well, with perfect comedic timing.

While Irene floats around town waiting for Bobby, the real Bela Zangler (sophomore Johnathon Roppo), arrives in Deadrock, looking for his love, Tess (senior Megan Grant), who had been helping prepare for the show at the Gaiety Theater. Chaos ensues, as do laughter and more great musical numbers, such as “What Causes That” and “Stiff Upper Lip.”

The story ends well, but every joke, dance and musical note throughout the enjoyable show make it worth seeing.