BYU's Department of Theatre and Media Arts debuted its performance of the musical comedy “Crazy for You” in the West Campus Mainstage Theatre on Friday, Nov. 8.
Everything went smoothly — until the matinee on Saturday, Nov. 9, when lead actress Bryndal Braithwaite, who played Polly Baker, injured her ankle mid-performance.
Braithwaite pushed through both Saturday performances with major pain. After receiving an MRI, doctors, Braithwaite and director Stephanie Breinholt decided it was best for Braithwaite to step down and heal. This meant Braithwaite’s understudy, Dylann Riggs, would fill the role of Polly.
With just 24 hours to learn an entirely new role, Riggs got to work. She spent numerous additional hours learning choreography, lines and other vital parts to Polly’s role with Benjamin Hansen, the show’s lead actor who plays Bobby Child.
“At first it was very overwhelming,” Riggs said. “There’s a lot of information to cram into my brain, but luckily the rest of the cast has got their stuff locked down and can help me.”
Having now performed multiple shows as Polly, Riggs feels adapted to the role. Audience members reported that they could not tell she was an understudy, and that the show was smooth, entertaining and a major success, despite the various changes made in the cast.
“Dylann has been killing it. She stepped up fast and with a really hardworking and positive attitude, which means everything in a situation like that,” Braithwaite remarked.
With Riggs stepping up to the role of Polly, other cast members were roped into character switches as well.
“I think it has just been another chance to see how amazing the cast has been and how supportive we’ve all been of each other,” Hansen reflected.
Braithwaite returned to the stage on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Though she reports her sprained ankle will take more time to heal, Braithwaite said she plans to wrap it well and take care while performing, all while preserving the integrity of the show.
“Bryndal has been my number one supporter,” Riggs expressed as she explained how Braithwaite has helped her adapt to the role of Polly. “Given the circumstance, many people would turn bitter, but not Bryndal. She is an absolute rockstar. She cares so deeply for this show and the cast.”
“Crazy for You” was adapted from the 1930 musical “Girl Crazy” by Ken Ludwig in 1992. With world-renowned music written by George and Ira Gershwin, it tells the story of two star-crossed lovers and their shared love for theatre during the Great Depression, teaching its audience that happy endings can be achieved amidst adversity with passion and hard work.
“I think the reason why the show is important is because it was set in a time when the world was in a really sad, dark place,” Madeline Clifford, the actress playing Tess, explained. “(The music is) beautiful, and it brings just a lot of life and excitement.”
The play employs jokes, colorful dance numbers and intriguing character development to lighten the mood against the daunting darkness of surrounding events.
“It’s really just a great show because people can just come in and, no matter what is going on in their day, ... they can just step away from it for a couple hours and just laugh with us ... and be reminded that ... there’s joy and light and laughter and goodness all around us,” Hansen said.
With a showing schedule lasting until Saturday, Dec. 7, BYU’s “Crazy for You” cast has been rehearsing their show since the beginning of fall semester.
For their first week of rehearsal, director Breinholt took the cast to visit Eureka, Utah, an old mining town closely resembling the location where “Crazy for You” takes place, in Deadrock, Nevada. There, the cast ate a western-style dinner while they sang and played instruments together.
“It was such a good way to bond as a cast and also understand the setting of our show,” Clifford reported. “It was really cool.”
With about 21 hours of rehearsal a week, the cast grew close, developing relationships that will last far beyond their final performance.
“I’ve just gotten to fall in love with everyone in the cast and, honestly, become crazy for everyone in the cast,” Ella Bradford, a cast member who plays Elaine and a Dream Dancer, said. “They’re all just so wonderful.”
A tight-knit relationship was the only way the cast could turn a fortuitous mishap into a triumphant victory, reinforcing the show’s message that nothing can stop those who dedicate their all to an honorable cause.
Tickets to BYU Theatre’s “Crazy for You” can be bought here.