Maintainin’ Rhythm

The acclaimed revival of 'Crazy For You' taps its way back into the West End later this year. One magazine Editor Cameron Ball investigates how the cast and creative team plan to maintain elite levels of performance with considerations for health and wellbeing.

The levels of focus and fitness required to dance eight shows per week in the West End is challenging, and even more so when the show’s director and choreographer is Broadway powerhouse Susan Stroman. Her production of 'Crazy For You', originally seen in the West End in 1993, is the stuff of legend, scooping up Tony and Olivier Awards.

It is this choreography that has been recreated 30 years later, first at Chichester Festival Theatre, and following stellar reviews, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from June. Dance is at the heart of the show (who can resist tapping their feet to Gershwin’s classic tunes?) and so the pressure is on to not only meet Stroman’s exacting standards, but also ensure the cast’s bodies and minds remain in elite condition.

Leading the cast as Bobby is Charlie Stemp, who after graduating from Laine Theatre Arts and performing in 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Wicked', had his breakthrough with an Olivier-nominated role in 'Half a Sixpence'.

Charlie Stemp

The Headshot Box

Since then, he has been seen on Broadway opposite Bette Midler in 'Hello, Dolly!' and most recently tap dancing upside down on the proscenium of the Prince Edward Theatre as Bert in 'Mary Poppins''. He also presented to aspiring young performers at the U.Dance National Festival in 2020.

How does he feel about being part of this revival, and the ‘triple threat’ requirements of Bobby Child, leading the hoofers to explosive renditions of Slap That Bass' and 'I Got Rhythm'?

“I’m so excited to be bringing such an iconic role back to the West End, especially with Susan Stroman’s amazing choreography”, he says. "This is by far the hardest dance show I’ve ever been in - I hope that I can do it justice!”

Charlie Stemp as Bobby Child & members of the company in 'Crazy for You' at Chichester Festival Theatre

Photo: Johan Persson

As UK Associate Director and Choreographer, Richard Pitt is charged with ensuring Stemp and the cast do the work justice. For the past few years Pitt was Rehearsal Director for Tavaziva. He has a long history of working with Susan Stroman, including on the original London production of 'Crazy For You', and more recently on 'The Scottsboro Boys' and 'Young Frankenstein'. He holds her in high regard as a director and choreographer. “Susan Stroman is a force for good. We all learn so much from being in a room with her and her genuine care for people and the show sets the tone for the entire run”.

He could tell there was a joyful chemistry in the Chichester cast and creative team, saying “The magic of the show seeped into the dynamic of the company – we could tell the show was special”. Assembling the right team for a show of this intensity is crucial, and for the West End transfer there were additional roles to cast, particularly in the dancing ensemble, who understudy leading roles. Pitt acknowledges that this is “a bit of a jigsaw. Firstly because of what we created for Chichester (on and off stage), and secondly because every character in the show is so individual and yet specific.”

Pitt notes the improvements in performers’ health and wellbeing, which One Dance UK, Equity and many others have been advocating for across the dance sector. “There has definitely been positive change in the last 10 years, and as an industry we continue to learn and improve and grow.

Dancers, performers, artists are taking much better care of themselves today, focusing more on things like nutrition, maintenance, complementary training, and the way that we prepare and care for the body and mind.

Richard Pitt

A scene from 'Crazy for You' at Chichester Festival Theatre

Photo: Johan Persson

Maintenance, particularly for the amount of pressure tap dancing puts on the ankles and knees, is paramount. Pitt notes: “Our show has its challenges and everyone has access to physiotherapy and massage as necessary.” He is also conscious of more holistic elements of keeping the cast show-ready: “Besides the physical care that is available, we are also there for any emotional needs and do our best care for and look after the company”.

Sustainable performance is mostly down to the people around you in my opinion. If you surround yourself with people who keep you grounded, take care of you and make you laugh, then any hard task will always seem that little bit easier.

Charlie Stemp

As opening night approaches, Stemp is looking forward to it with excitement. “I will be so full of adrenaline. However, once the adrenaline calms down and I’m sat at home with a cup of tea, I’ll have a little think about the show and smile. As long as I didn’t fall off any of my turns, that is!”

'Crazy For You' is at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 23 June 2023.

www.CrazyForYouMusical.com