After months of preparation and practice, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's High School presents the Tony Award-winning, two-act, multiple-set musical "Crazy For You" March 26-28 in the school auditorium.
The story centers on a young banker, Bobby Child (Wyatt Smith) a New York City boy, who dreams of making it big on Broadway.
Wrapped around nearly two dozen George and Ira Gerschwin-composed songs, Bobby travels to Deadrock, Nev.
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If you enjoy dancelines, you’ll appreciate this musical.
His pushy mother (Corey Johnson) wants him to remain in the family banking business while a determined bride-to-be, Irene, (Marisa Molden) wants to ensnare him in marriage.
In Deadrock, Bobby becomes intrigued by the tiny theater he was sent to foreclose and its young proprietress, Polly Baker, (Chelsea Kuebler).
Bobby falls head over heels in love with Polly and convinces her that money to save the theater can be raised by putting on a show with local cowboys and his chorus girl friends from New York City.
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7:30 p.m., Friday, Saturday, March 26-27; 2 p.m., Sunday, March 28 in the school auditorium
Crazy For You Cast:
Bobby Child: Wyatt Smith
Bela Zangler: Brett Ubl
Lank Hawkins: Clint Haala
Edna Baker: Ellen Mathiowetz
Polly Baker: Chelsea Kuebler
Irene Roth: Marisa Moldan
Eugenia Fodor: Stefanie Havemeier
Patricia Fodor: Misty Schwab
Mother: Corey Johnson
Mother's business assistants: Boston Portner, Shelby Windschitl, Ana Clara
Tapping Follies Girls:Abby Krzmarzick, Madeline Schmitz, Anna Surprenant, Bridget Mathiowetz, Kahley Pelzel, Olivia Berkner, Leah Lax, Mandee Jo Heiderscheidt, Ann Marie Berkner, Shy Hoffmann, Natalie Schwartz
Follies Girls: Boston Portner, Courtney Schneider, Karli Heiderscheidt, Larissa Krebs, Amanda Goblirsch, Chelsea Hoffmann, Shelby Windschitl, Kari Schumacher
Cowboy Chorus: Jake Lilleodden, Adam Sellner, Taylor Wait, Mitch Haubrich
Cowboy Quartet: Matt Krambeer, Jon Sellner, Nic Heiderscheidt, Joe Berdan
Card players: Joe Berdan, Zack Miller, Tyler Havemeier, Kyle Krzmarzick
Cowboys: Tanner Weiss, Mikail Sellner, Kansas Adams
New York Theater Stage Manager: Joe Berdan
New York Passing Street Crowds: Molly Lax, RaeAnna Zinniel, Jessica Schmitz, Zach Miller, Allison Schwartz
Sound technicians: Peter Goblirsch, Matt Zinniel.
Light technicians: Lisa Seidl, Avery Moldan, Kari Jo Reiderer, Devyn Meyer
Stage manager: Molly Moldan
Student directors: Corey Johnson, Annie Sellner
Things go amuck when Bobby pretends to be the famous Broadway director Bela Zanger and Polly falls for him instead of Bobby.
Appearances are made by the real Bela Zanger (Brett Ubl), his love interest and follies girl, Tess, (Abby Krzmarzick), and Lank, (Clint Haala), saloon proprietor and Deadrock visionary.
Girschwin singing and dancing pieces include "Can't Be Bothered Yet," "Embraceable You," "I've Got Rhythm," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "But Not For Me," and "Nice Work If You Can Get It."
Kuebler, who plans to study veterinary science at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus this fall, said she enjoys playing Polly, who she called a "very independent, strong-willed character."
Smith, who plans to study architecture and theater as an Army Reserve Officer candidate at Minnesota State University, Mankato in the fall, said the musical is unlike recent ones the school has recently done.
"I'd encourage anybody interested in musicals to do it," Smith added. "It's full of hard work but worth it in the end."
Musical director Julie Neubauer said students have been "hard at work because this musical has indeed been challenging."
"Some students began taking tap lessons this fall," she added. "With the help of our talented choreographer, (Las Vegas-based) Gary Sassenberg, and our delightful pit, Gerry and Carol Larson, the cast has risen to the task."
Neubauer said vocal director Rachel Moldan has spent countless hours before school, during noon hour and scheduled rehearsals teaching songs to the 50-student cast.
Reserved seats for Friday and Sunday performances can be bought by calling Moldan at 507-828-1562. Cost is $8 per ticket.
Saturday Dinner Theater tickets are available by calling the high school at 507-794-4121.