The OU Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre opens its production of “Crazy for You,” a Tony-award winning romantic comedy.
Set in the 1930s, “Crazy for You,” follows small-town Polly Baker and New Yorker Bobby Child. The musical opened on Broadway in 1992, winning three Tony awards.
Musical theatre senior Sydni Moon plays Polly Baker, who is trying to help save her father’s theatre from being closed down by the bank. The only woman in town, Polly is strong and confident with a soft side she often has to hide.
“I’ve really played with finding some of the sweet moments, but also she's sassy and she is very dominating in a way that is super positive,” Moon said.
Moon grew up in Houston, Texas, in a family with a musical and dance background. Moon attended her first theatre camp just after she turned 7, and her passion for theatre grew as she took dance, voice and acting lessons and began performing in community theatre shows.
“It always seemed like something that I couldn't go into and seemed far off,” Moon said. “Then, as I saw more people who were actually having success and found out I could go to college for this and make my way into the industry; that was kind of how I made my way to OU.”
At OU, Moon has performed in ensemble roles in “Assassins” and “Pippin,” and as Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Moon said that playing Polly is her biggest role yet and that she has felt some imposter syndrome throughout the process.
“I just have to settle back into trusting the talent and trusting like why they picked me, and just have fun with it, instead of being so analytical,” Moon said.
Musical theatre senior Jesse Hanks plays Bobby Child. Bobby’s life is dictated by his controlling mother and New York lifestyle, but he yearns for something different. He is sent to Polly’s small town to foreclose on her father’s theatre but falls in love with her.
“He’s kind of a dope and really doesn't think before he does anything, and that gets him into trouble sometimes,” Hanks said.
Hanks is from Atlanta, Georgia, and started musical theatre by following in the footsteps of his two older sisters. Growing up, Hanks performed in community theatre productions and was heavily involved in his high school’s dance, chorus and musical theatre programs.
While at OU, Hanks has performed as Proprietor in “Assassins,” Georg in “Spring Awakening,” and King Herod in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Hanks said that one of his favorite parts about musical theatre is being part of a strong community.
“It kind of sounds corny, but I feel like theatre and just artists in general are really unified on the sense of humanity,” Hanks said.
Jesse Hanks plays Bobby Child and Sydni Moon plays Polly Baker during the University Theatre dress rehearsal for Crazy for You on April 4.
Moon and Hanks started rehearsing in January before spring classes started, and the rest of the 30+ cast members started rehearsals in early February.
“It's been very detail-oriented, and we've had to take a lot of time to make sure things look good,” Hanks said. “Sometimes when you take on something that's this big, and you don't spend the time to pay attention to the detail, it can look a little messy.”
Senior Ris Carroll is the stage manager for “Crazy for You.” As stage manager, Carroll's job is to be backstage making sure the show runs properly and smoothly, which includes calling electric cues, sound cues and scene transitions. They are in constant communication with everyone working on the show during the rehearsal process.
“There’s always multiple conversations happening at once, and I just have to be on top of those conversations and checking in with people,” Carroll said.
Carroll is from Frisco, Texas, and decided to try out technical theatre in eighth grade because their sister had enjoyed it. OU offers a BFA in stage management, and Carroll said the program is very hands on. Carroll has worked on one or two shows each semester at OU, the most recent being “The Nutcracker.”
“My favorite thing about stage management is watching the production grow because I’m there literally every single day of rehearsal,” Carroll said. “I really am the person that gets to see every single thing as it builds.”
Jesse Hanks plays Bobby Child and David Prengler plays Bela Zangler during the University Theatre dress rehearsal for Crazy for You on April 4.
Carrol said that the rehearsal process for “Crazy for You” has been a fast-paced experience, and that they’ve enjoyed deepening friendships with others working on the show.
“Through the show process, I've been able to get to know people that I don't usually see on a daily basis more,” Carroll said.
Moon said she’s excited for the audience to see the dance numbers in the show. She also hopes that even though this is a lighthearted show, people may see themselves in a character and feel a sense of connection.
“I definitely hope people have fun, but I also think this is one of those where they just find themself in someone and relate to them however they can,” Moon said.
“Crazy for You” will be performed on April 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m., and April 7 and 14 at 3 p.m. in the Elsie C. Brackett Theatre. Tickets are available online or at the box office before the show.
This story was edited by Emma Blakley and Shelby Emery. Avery Avery copy edited this story.
