Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 19, 2005 %%$$cutline$$%% Gershwin hits shine in RMT’s ‘Crazy for You’ Rogue Music Theatre has a winner in its production of "Crazy for You," putting together a collection of Gershwin hits and a collection of "just folks" to pull off a highly entertaining evening. As music director Andrea Brock’s eight-piece orchestra plays the overture, the cast walks through the audience, to let them know, director Daniel Grossbard said, "We’re just folks, putting on a show." The artistic staff has clearly done its work, shaping a loosely-formed group of 27 "just folks" into a tightly-knit cast of singers, actors and dancers. And good ones, too. Everyone onstage is engaged and their collective energy and enthusiasm is infectious. "If I can create a spirit of collaboration," Grossbard said, "I let everyone’s talent come out." Penny King’s stylish choreography also lifts the production. The audience is treated to classic big production numbers, complete with tap dancing, great harmonies and big hands-in-the-air, knee-on-the ground finales. Sue Russell’s sets and the costumes by Barbara Ford and Bonnie Vera nicely capture the two opposite worlds of the story: the bustling backstage of a 1932 Broadway theater and the fly- buzzing-around-your-head torpor of Main Street in Deadrock, Nev. Advertisement The show’s author, Ken Ludwig, has assembled a wish-list roster of songs for fans of the Gershwin brothers, George and Ira. There’s "Someone to Watch Over Me," "They Can’t Take That Away From Me," "Embraceable You" and"I Got Rhythm." These classic melodies get wonderful renditions from the orchestra and from Andrew Brock as city-boy Bobby Child and Jocelyn Vodovoz as cowgirl Polly Baker. The two light up the stage whenever they are on it and for Brock that’s most of the time. He and Vodovoz sing and dance very well together — who knew Brock could dance? Vodovoz is a 14-year veteran of professional theater on the stages of London’s West End — who knew she would move to Grants Pass? Brock and Vodovoz both have a great time with their character’s comedic moments . So do Miles Kehoe as director Bela Zangler and Kyle Akerman as saloon-owner Lank Hawkins. The other cast members each bring particular nuances to their characters which make them interesting to watch rather than static decorations on the set. The cast walks through the audience again at intermission and gathers informally onstage for the start of the second act. This works, as it did in the Broadway production of "La Boheme." But it didn’t work for me at the end of the show, which comes somewhat abruptly. After the bows, the cast casually saunters around the stage, reverting to being "just folks" again. Call me crazy, but I would have preferred that they exit offstage, leaving the stage bare and the magic hovering in the air. "Crazy For You" plays at 8 p.m. July 22-24 at the Rogue Community College outdoor amphitheater in Grants Pass. Tickets are $15 for reserved seats, $12 for general admission, $10 for students (13-18) and seniors (65 plus) and $8 for children (0-12). Call 479-2559. Reach Arts and Entertainment Editor Richard Moeschlat 776-4486, or e-mail Gershwin hits shine in RMT�s �Crazy for You� ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s