CCU Department of Theatre is back on Wheelwright stage with Crazy for You
Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 17-19, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m.
Thursday-Friday, Feb. 24-25, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Director Adam Pelty, associate professor in the theatre department, said Crazy for You, which will be performed with original Broadway staging, is a challenge and a reward for him and students.
“In terms of the traditional American musical, this show is about advanced as it gets,” said Pelty. “It’s a triple threat for everybody – the acting, singing, and dancing – especially for the two principal roles, Polly and Bobby. They both have to be amazingly skilled in all three areas.”
Senior Kenley Belle Juback, who plays Polly, is a Horry County native who attended Carolina Forest High School. She has appeared in the High Steppin’ Country show in Myrtle Beach as well as performances of Legally Blonde and Steel Pier at CCU.
“It’s lovely to see [Juback] in that role,” said Pelty. “She’s so talented and was a seasoned performer when she came in as a freshman.”
Pelty said the depth of talent within the Department of Theatre, especially among dancers, also made this work an appropriate choice.
“In terms of skill base, we have a really diverse range of dancers,” said Pelty. “These young performers were ready to take on this type of challenge,” which includes an 8-minute tap dance number. “This is something for them to dive into, and they’re having so much fun.”
The thematic content in Crazy for You was a final factor in its selection.
“We wanted to do a big dance show, something that was joyous, that celebrated community, celebrated the arts – these are all central themes to the show,” said Pelty. “Bring arts to a community, and it will come to life.”
The cast features Jeff Gallup as Bobby Child; Juback as Polly Baker; Jervon Monroe as Bela Zangler; Caitlin Carter as Irene Roth; Joshua Johnson as Lank Hawkins; Cooper McGill as Everett Baker; Cameron Ransome as Lottie Child; Tre Butcher as Eugene Fodor; Sarah Krawczyk as Patricia Fodor; Tess Gilmore as Tess; Lindsay Hoffpauir as Patsy; Zach Green as Mingo; Robert Laws as Moose; Brendan Considine as Sam; Jake Lopez as Perkins/Custus; Zack Olds as Junior; Trevor Terry as Pete; Titus Parmley as Jimmy; Lucas Hallauer as Billy; Luke Hancock as Wyatt; and Blake Kerzie as Harry. The Zangler Follies Dancers include Claire Campbell, Jessica Connelly, Jasmine Cores, Teryn Cuozzo, Madison Daning, Allison Edwards, Caitlin Holst, and Brenna Kellem.
Reserved seating tickets for all performances are $25 for adults; $20 for CCU/HGTC faculty/staff, OLLI members, teens, and seniors; $3 for CCU/HGTC students; and free for children (age 10 and under). To purchase tickets, click here or call the Wheelwright Box Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 843-349-ARTS (2787). The Wheelwright Box Office is located on campus at 108 Spadoni Park Circle.