February 27, 2004

Campus goes Crazy for Gershwin

Cast members of Crazy for You

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Time will take a holiday when California State University, Sacramento presents Crazy for You, a musical theater sampler of favorite George and Ira Gershwin show tunes woven into a wacky story straight out of the 1930s. The show opens at 8 p.m., Thursday, March 18 in the University Theatre. Performances continue at 8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays, from March 19 to 21 and 25 to 28.

The production is part of the campuswide Festival of the Arts, March 23 to April 3.

Crazy for You is a Tony award-winning update of the Gershwin musical Girl Crazy. Ken Ludwig, with permission from the Gershwin estate, rewrote Girl Crazy in the late 1980s removing mindless skits and stereotypes. Along the way he added 13 Gershwin songs to the original seven in Girl Crazy. Joining "Bidin' My Time," "Embraceable You," "I Got Rhythm" and "But Not for Me" are "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Naughty Baby" and 11 other great tunes.

The plot revolves around a New York banker's trip to Deadrock, Nev. to foreclose on a rundown theater. Romantic interest in the theater owner's daughter complicates his plans, and mix-ups, misunderstandings and disguise keep the story going.

Crazy for You opened in Broadways Shubert Theatre Feb. 19, 1992 and continued its original run for 1,622 performances. "it sassily rethinks the American musical tradition stretching from the Gershwins to (Michael) Bennett," said Frank Rich of The New York Times.

The University production is directed and choreographed by CSUS professor Ed Brazo and features an orchestra led by CSUS professor Ernie Hills. The show's Busby Berkeley-like conclusion owes its dazzle to CSUS professors Bonnie Busick and Leon Wiebers, who are responsible for sets and costumes, respectively.

Tickets are $18 general, $11 for students and seniors, and are available from the CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323 or at Tickets.com.

For more information, call (916) 278-6604. Media assistance is available from CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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