Joe Delaney remembers 1995: Crawford in ‘EFX’

Friday, May 18, 2001 | 9:36 a.m.

Michael Crawford, a top British Music Hall performer, was the first star of the MGM Grand's "EFX" production, fresh from starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage production of "Phantom of the Opera." Crawford was the oldest, in his 50s, and most physically adept of the four "EFX" stars to date. A back injury caused him to leave the show. David Cassidy followed, giving it a different, more youthful story line. Tommy Tune was next, stressing dance routines and giving "EFX" a Broadway-musical feel. Rick Springfield took over at the start of this year, making the renamed "EFX Alive" more like a contemporary rock musical production.

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