Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre director Paul Andsell tells Stuart Macbeth why the hit musical Crazy For You is the perfect fit for the company’s clutch of talented young actors

I like a Gershwin tune” sang Judy Garland back in 1941. How could anyone disagree? Take the popularity of Crazy For You.

Opening on Broadway in 1992 to rave reviews, the musical features songs from the days when the Gershwin brothers bubbled at the height of their fame. It’s the simple tale of a 1930s banker whose only dream in life is to dance.

Crazy For You bounces back to the Oxford Playhouse next week, in a new production by Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre.

As director Paul Andsell explains: “The musical is full of well-crafted, timeless melodies. It’s wonderful for young people to become acquainted with these songs”.

Tasked with putting a show together, Paul remembered seeing Crazy For You in 1993 and realised he had found the perfect fit.

“We were looking for a show that had all the elements of acting, singing and dancing. Crazy For You is a show that suits a large youth company, and which will entertain audiences of all ages,” he said.

Audiences can expect to enjoy smash hits such as Embraceable You and I Got Rhythm alongside rarer numbers which – prior to the success of Crazy For You – were consigned to the dustier shelves of 78rpm enthusiasts.

Paul admits his personal favourite is Slap That Bass, best known its virtuoso performance by Fred Astaire back in the 30’s.

Why do the songs of George and Ira Gershwin continue to have such a lasting appeal?

“The joy of any great lyric and song writing is that there are enduring themes, themes that remain as relevant today as when they were written.”

And they might seem particularly relevant to the cast of this production. Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre, who’ve previously scored great successes with musicals including The Boyfriend, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz, works with actors as young as 15.

So where does Paul find the actors, singer and dancers who fit the bill?

“Each year, the company auditions for the new show where hopefuls are asked to perform a song, a monologue, and participate in a group dance. We try to make it enjoyable. There’s no sitting in the dark shouting “Next!”

One of the stars of this year’s production is Douglas Broad, who plays the role of Bobby Child, a lovestruck wannabe-performer in the Zangler Follies.

“Douglas is 17 and Crazy For You will be his third production with Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre,” says Paul. “Last year he was The Engineer in Miss Saigon and the year before he was a member of the chorus in The Wizard of Oz.”

Also starring is Darcy Rak, 17, and celebrating her third year of performance in the role of Tess. Actors in this company seem to go from strength to strength and some may be inspired by the successes of previous members: “It’s been very inspirational for all of us,” Paul says “with previous members like Ed Campbell Bird, Joseph Prowen and Tom Wolstenholme involved in West End shows, in plays and on TV.”

How would it have felt for Paul, at that age then, to have taken part in a production like Crazy For You? “As a teenager, performing on a famous, working, professional stage like the Oxford Playhouse is something that most young actors can only dream of. But that’s why Oxfordshire is such a great place to grow up in and I’m very proud that such a young company as this can rise to that challenge.”

SEE IT
Crazy For You runs at the Oxford Playhouse in Beaumont Street from April 22-25  
See oxfordplayhouse.com or call 01865 305305