Character guide
Irene Roth
from Crazy for You
Irene Roth is a supporting character in Crazy for You, Bobby Child's fiancee back in New York whose presence complicates the romance blossoming out west.
- Show
- Crazy for You
- Premiered
- 1992
- Role
- Supporting
- Composer
- George Gershwin
Who is Irene Roth?
Irene represents the life Bobby Child is expected to lead, the polished, socially appropriate match waiting for him in the city while he is off discovering his true passions in a small desert town. Her appearance in the story raises the stakes of the central romance between Bobby and Polly and adds a layer of classic musical comedy complication.
Characters like Irene serve an important structural purpose in shows built around romantic mix ups, giving the plot an obstacle to overcome before the leads can end up together, and giving the show additional opportunities for comedy along the way.
Irene Roth's role in Crazy for You
As a supporting role, Irene appears at key moments rather than throughout the entire show, but her scenes carry real comic and dramatic weight. The part calls for a performer who can be simultaneously glamorous and formidable, someone who makes it clear why Bobby might have once considered her a suitable match, even as the audience roots for him to end up elsewhere.
Audiences enjoy Irene Roth because she injects a jolt of comic tension into the story's back half, and her presence sharpens the audience's investment in Bobby and Polly's romance by giving it real competition.
Frequently asked
What show is Irene Roth from?
Irene Roth is a supporting character in Crazy for You, the 1992 musical featuring George Gershwin's music.
Is Irene Roth a lead or supporting role?
Irene Roth is a supporting role in the show.
Who wrote the music for Crazy for You?
George Gershwin wrote the songs that make up the show's score.
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