AUBURN – The director of “Crazy for You” had an important goal for Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre’s current musical production.

Tim Pinkham said he wanted to “wow the audience.”

Wow, did he ever.

With exceptional top-to-toe talent, this show is packed with dazzling dance numbers set to some of Gershwin’s most popular music. All the songs – from solos and duets to trios and stage-filling, full-cast numbers – are a delight to the ear and eye.

As if great music and dance were not enough, the nonstop and incredibly inventive comedy in “Crazy for You” keeps the audience roaring. It’s a feast of vaudeville-style one-liners and funny physical shtick, thanks to the updated book by Ken Ludwig.

Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 18-21, are last chances to catch it at the Great Falls Performing Arts Center on Academy Street.

Steve Dupont and Renee Davis, two favorites of CLT musicals, carry high expectations onto the stage. Better-than-ever sums it up for their performances.

Dupont is Bobby Child from New York City, and Davis is Polly Baker, the only female resident of Deadrock, Nev. Simple plot. They meet, fall in love, plan a show to save her father’s old theater and temporarily split over a mistaken-identity mix-up.

Dupont’s baritone voice is well-suited to Gershwin standards, and his demanding tap routines are always wonderful to watch. On this stage, there are about a dozen male and female tappers who are more than keeping up the pace.

Dupont’s comedic talents are also showcased in “Crazy for You.” He can deliver broad sidesplitting slapstick bits or subtle twists with just the right timing.

Davis delivers fine solos on two of Gershwin’s best known songs – “Someone To Watch Over Me” and “But Not for Me.” She does full justice to these beautiful ballads, as well as all her comic bits and romantic moments throughout the fast-paced show.

As for the rest of the cast, they are right on target, too.

“I Got Rhythm” ends Act One in a spectacular fashion, and “Slap That Bass” is a great novelty number. Dupont and Davis take “Embraceable You” from comedy to romance in just a couple of choruses. Deadrock’s laconic cowboys sing “Bidin’ My Time” in two languages, and an oh-so-English couple cleverly teach everyone how to keep a “Stiff Upper Lip.”

Jason Pelletier plays Bela Zangler, the Broadway producer whose unexpected appearance in Deadrock leads to some hilarious confusion. His whiskey-fueled number with Dupont – “What Causes That?” – is a marvel of mirror-image timing.

John Alexander and Jen McClure-Groover, as Lank and Irene, have some excellent moments. They prove that opposites attract when they are paired in the “Naughty Baby” number.

Dan Crawford and Pauline Gilbert put the proper British spin on their portrayals of Eugene and Patricia, and David Glendinning’s role as Polly’s father is well played.

If there’s a cast member whose performance leaves you wanting more, it’s Janet Gibson as Bobby’s authoritative mother. She joined CLT in 1952 and danced in the organization’s first musical, “Kiss Me, Kate.” Gibson’s smile has greeted playgoers at the ticket pick-up desk for many CLT shows.

The Follies Girls and the Cowboys come through with excellent dances and songs. Gerry Therrien’s role as Moose is a treat.

There’s also one temperamental member of this production. It’s the big, heavy, many-sided set that is configured as a Broadway corner, western street, saloon and Gaiety Theater. With some persuasion, it works well.

It’s sure to find important uses in future shows.

Veteran choreographer Raymond Marc Dumont successfully delivers on all the challenging dance numbers. He utilized the original Broadway staging of Susan Stroman.

The Gershwin tunes are backed by a competent nine-piece combo. They are led by music director Sam Bagala, a 15-year-old music student who already has an impressive string of credits.

To echo the “I Got Rhythm” lyrics, when it comes to CLT’s “Crazy for You” – “Who could ask for anything more?”

Go and do

WHAT: “Crazy for You”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18; 8 p.m. Oct. 19-20 and 2 p.m. Oct. 21

WHERE: Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn

TICKETS: $15, except $13 for the Thursday show. Call 783-0958 or log on to www.laclt.com