Crazy for You is opening at the Victorian Arts Centre November 28 for a strictly limited season.
The star of the show is Philip Gould who, after 13 years of stardom in England is returning home to play the lead role of Bobby Child. In his 13 years absence from Australia, Gould has played the lead role of Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street and starred in Street Scene, Showboat, Oklahoma and Buddy
During his 13 years in England he did return to Australia to play leading roles in HMS Pinafore, Great Expectations andSouth Pacific. Gould was saying that his family moves with him, his children are 4 years and 15 months. Being the formative years, Philip feels he must be with them. He and his wife are considering moving back to Australia to live, with the children in mind. The life in Australia has good living standards and the great outdoors.
Gould's co-star, Fiona Benjamin, is another Australian who went to London where she understudied the star of Crazy for You, sitting in the wings for 18 months. Then her chance came and Fiona took over the role of Polly Baker. Fiona played the London season and did the UK tour and now is looking forward to returning home and play to the home crowd.
The Arts Centre's Brett Randall, Executive Producer of Crazy for You, says, "When we decided to bring this great musical to Melbourne, I was anxious that the casting be especially right for Melbourne audiences. Philip Gould was a natural because he is known and loved in this city and when it came time to cast the female lead, I was keen to bring Fiona Benjamin home from London and give her a chance to become a big star in her own country. We are delighted she is to be part of what is shaping up to be a great cast." Crazy for You was the longest running Gershwin musical in Broadway history and has one every major prize for Best Musical. Now in Australia it is at the State Theatre Victorian Arts Centre opening November 28. Bookings: Ticket Master 11566, outside Melbourne metropolitan area call 1800 338 998. Group bookings of 10 or more call Jennie on (03) 9281 8484.
--By Peter Kemp
Austalian Correspondent
