Under the direction of Rafael Perrin (Run for your Wife!, Houdini: The Magic of Love), the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Crazy for You (Loco Por Ti) premieres in Mexico City Apr. 7. Crazy marks the return to the stage of one of Mexico's musical leading men, Manuel Landeta (Cats, Joseph and the Amazing...) who will star as Bobby Child.
Starring as Polly will be Lisset, a talented singer who was part of the 42nd Street chorus and who recently recorded the hit theme song for the highly successful Mexican soap opera "Nada Personal".Crazy For You will mark Lisset's theatrical debut as a leading lady.
Other performers going Crazy are Eugenio Montessoro (Los Musicales, Moon Over Buffalo) as Bela Zangler, Simone Brook (42nd Street) as Irene, Angelita Castani (Me and My Girl) as Bobby's Mother, Jorge Pais (Mame) as Everett Baker, and Nitzi Arellano as Tess.
Recreating Susan Stroman's dazzling choreography are Ana Maria Collado and Jose Posadas, while Rocio Martinez and Juan Rojas will reproduce Robin Wagner's spectacular sets, Mitzy and Gilberto Granillo will recreate William Ivey Long's glamorous costume designs and Manolo Sanchez Navarro will base the lighting design on Paul Gallo's original designs.
Loco por Ti is produced by Producciones Fabregas, a major theatrical company which was founded by the late Mexican actor/director/impresario Manolo Fabregas, who achieved the title of "El Senor Teatro" (Mr. Theater) for his countless contributions to the Mexican theatre industry. This production of Crazy for You is dedicated to his memory. Fela Fabregas, widow of Manolo Fabregas and current president of Producciones Fabregas; told Playbill On-Line how happy she is to bring a family musical to Mexico, and hopes that this international hit will bring audiences of all ages back to the theatre.
Crazy for You features the great songs of George and Ira Gershwin, and according to Fabregas a cast recording of the Mexican version is planned, although no recording date has been set yet. Willy Gutierrez is in charge of the musical direction, and Alejandro Orive has translated Ken Ludwig's book and Ira Gershwin's lyrics into Spanish.
Crazy for You plays at the Teatro San Rafael in Mexico City on Wed. and Thurs. at 8:30 PM, Fri. and Sat. at 7 PM & 9:45 PM and Sun at 5 PM & 8 PM. Tickets ($150.00 Mexican Pesos) are available through Ticketmaster at (52-5) 325-9000. Who could ask for anything more?!
--By Claudio Carrera
Mexico Correspondent
