By Andrew Gans
24 Jun 2009

Tony Yazbeck and Jessica Lee Goldyn
photo by John Loft

The Maine State Music Theatre's production of the award-winning Gershwin musical Crazy for You runs June 24-July 11 at the Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College.

Directed by Stephen Bourneuf and choreographed by Mary Jane Houdina, the cast is headed by Jessica Lee Goldyn (A Chorus Line) as Polly Baker and Tony Yazbeck (A Chorus Line, Gypsy) as Bobby Child.

The production also features David Hess (Sweeney Todd) as Lank Hawkins, Lara Seibert (Young Frankenstein) as Irene Roth, Connie Shafer as Bobby's mother and Dennis St. Pierre as zany producer Bela Zangler.

Crazy for You features a book by Ken Ludwig and songs by George and Ira Gershwin, including such classics as "Embraceable You," "I Got Rhythm" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." The musical — directed by Mike Ockrent — played the Shubert Theatre January 1992-January 1996. Harry Groener and Jodi Benson headed the original Broadway cast. The musical won three 1992 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Crazy for You, according to press notes, "follows the journey of singer/dancer hopeful Bobby Child as he leaves the glamour of New York City for Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose on a local rundown theater. Upon arriving in Deadrock he falls instantly in love with Polly Baker, the daughter of local theatre owner, Everett Baker. Mishaps, mayhem, and mistaken identity ensue as Bobby fights for not only the theater and his career in showbiz, but his shot at love with Polly as well."

Tickets, priced $29-$52, are available by calling (207) 725-8769 or by visiting www.msmt.org. Maine State Music Theatre is located at 22 Elm Street in Brunswick, ME.

Lara Seibert, David Hess, Tony Yazbeck and Jessica Lee Goldyn
photo by John Loft