Crazy for You

Featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin songs, retro Broadway choreography and an inventive throwback storyline created by Ken Ludwig, there is much to love about "Crazy For You," now playing at Arena Stage.

Director Matthew Gardiner's brightly wrapped holiday present is a classic romantic comedy of errors, full of cliches that somehow seem fresh again when repackaged together. It is a story of opposites attracting, mistaken identity, and the realization that money cannot buy happiness.

As the protagonist big city banking heir, Bobby Child (Danny Gardner) naively finds his way from Manhattan to Nevada to re-possess an aging vacant theater for his mother's bank, he manages to fall head over heels in love with poor but tough country girl Polly Baker (Ashley Spencer) whose father owns the theater.

Amidst the folly of their off-again/on-again romance, are some heartstopping tap routines choreographed by Denis Jones, numerous colorful costume changes, and of course the timeless classics from the Gershwin brothers, keeping the story upbeat and fun, even when Child is being rejected by his tough-skinned love.

A 1992 Tony Award-winner, the play is a send-up of classic 1930s romantic comedy theater, including various comedic tropes like the endlessly nagging mother (Sherri L. Edelen), the gold-digging disappointed fiancee (Natascia Diaz) and of course the tough-talking tomboy/Daddy's girl with a heart of gold (Spencer).

Gardner provides a great deal of physical comedy, starting the show as a klutz who tries in vain to get cast in a Vaudeville performance of "Zangler's Follies," but fails miserably by stepping on the director Bella Zangler's (Bobby Smith) toes. He goes from tap dancing up a storm to falling limp with love at the feet of Polly Baker, who quickly rejects his New York wealth and his family's avarice.

As his match and foil, Spencer's Polly is frisky, fierce, and fun. She plays up the contrasts between them, tearing a beer bottle cap off with her teeth -- but she is also the ultimate tap dance partner. Their performance includes both humor and sweetness, as they alternately chase each other around the stage, seduce and reject one another.

Under the direction of Jon Kalbfleisch, the orchestra makes lively use of the Gershwin originals like "Slap that Bass," "Someone to Watch Over Me," and of course "I Got Rhythm."

Paul Tate dePoo III's set shifts easily from Manhattan skyline to Western dryland with the help of Jason Lyons' lighting. Tristan Raines' costumes and Leah Loukas' wigs give the show a heavy dose of retro glam, complete with frilled skirts, blond pageboys, and tuxedos with tails.

Mixing elegance and class with madcap and mayhem, the story delights as expected, bringing the Broadway feel to the small stage at Signature for this holiday season.

"Crazy For You" runs through January 14, 2018, at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue in Arlington, VA. For tickets or information, call 703-820-9771 or visit sigtheatre.org