Charlie Stemp CRAZY FOR YOU West End - Reviews, News & Discussion Thread

I'll be at the first preview tonight! Is anyone else going?

Updated On: 7/4/23 at 05:07 AM

YAY! I'm really excited! I have never been to the first preview of any show before, so this is an exciting moment for me during my time in London!

I envy you both!

Desperately hoping that we eventually get a transfer here in NYC!

Seeing this next month!

I’ll report details on the show later!

Is this an event ? Because Stemp isn’t much of a name in the US so they’d have to create some special buzz to get excitement going.

It’s the Interval! HOLY HELL this is amazing!

Tag said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "They have some special guests here! William Ivey Long just walked by me!"

He's not a special guest. He's the costume designer of the show..."

I knew that but it was just cool to see him.

What a night! So much fun and WOW what a cast! Here are my thoughts below!

★★★★★

What do you get when you mix Gershwin and Susan Stroman? The answer in this case is Crazy for You! First off, I have never been to a first preview performance of any show. Broadway or West End. The energy tonight was just insane! First off, Charlie Stemp! That man is so talented and has made a huge name for himself here in London at such a young age! Boy can that man dance! Stroman’s tap choreography is absolutely superb! I cannot agree that enough! Also, Carly Anderson! Wow oh wow! That woman can belt a number! Probably the best number was the Act 1 finale, “I Got Rhythm”! A number that I always love to listen to! Throughout it, I could hear the voice of Ethel Merman in the back of my head! I mean, she owned that song! No one could sing that better than her, but this cast was spectacular at it! There was a standing ovation afterwards! Overall, this was a fun, energetic, and classic evening of West End Theatre! Hopefully we can see this go to NYC soon! I know I’ve been saying that multiple times, but a bunch of the shows I have seen here are absolutely WORTHY of life outside London! Congrats to this incredible cast, crew and creative team! Bravo!

I know this won't be popular but if this transfers, I hope Tony Yazbeck will be the lead. I am tired of British actors getting roles that should go to Americans.

Updated On: 6/24/23 at 10:32 PM

George in DC said: "I know this won't be popular but if this transfers, I hope Tony Yazbeck will be the lead. I am tired of British actors getting roles that should go to Americans.

"

And why 'should it' go to American if Stemp originates it in this transfer?

Trust me, no one wants to replace Charlie Stemp even if they think they do! He is the magnet and glue that is holding this whole show together. It's so rare that someone who is not really a 'name' or celebrity can really command an entire stage/show and bring such star presence. He is a great dancer, but his boyish charm and humour just elevate the whole thing to the next level. You can't take your eyes off him the whole time and when he isn't on stage he is sorely missed. In one reality I would be screaming for the show to transfer so he can win a Tony. My only slight tentativeness is that after seeing Charlie Stemp 3 times on stage now (Hello, Dolly; Marry Poppins; Crazy For You) I DO think his style/shtick starts to feel a little familiar. But it's no less impactful or impressive.

As for the the evening and show, the heat didn't help but I did feel it was a bit long and slow and there is opportunity to pick up the pace a little at times. The physical production is serviceable/good if a little cheap/tacky feeling at points (super niche observation but it is very hard for me to look at those cheap FOLLIES costumes after seeing Gregg Barnes' Tony-winning costumes in the 2011 FOLLIES revival).

I could imagine the show slotting nicely into a future roundabout season. I think the star is Charlie and not the show in this case.

Updated On: 6/25/23 at 04:45 AM