Get ready to set sail with the classic Cole Porter musical
Anything Goes at Lakeshore Players Theatre. In only the second local production I've seen in the 15 years of Cherry and Spoon, director/choreographer Kyle Weiler (whose work was last seen at Lakeshore in the charming
She Loves Me last season) leads the team in this fun escapist show full of clever and witty songs, madcap humor, and fabulous dancing. It'll leave you with a smile on your face and a melody stuck in your head.
Anything Goes plays Fridays through Sundays until May 18 at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center in White Bear Lake (
click here for info and tickets).
If you're not familiar with this classic musical, which has aged moderately well in 90+ years with several book revisions, the basic premise is one of celebrities, rich people, and gangsters all trapped together on a ship from New York City to London. Showgirl Reno Sweeney is in love with good-natured Wall Street man Billy Crocker, who is in love with debutante Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Billy stows away on the ship to try to prevent Hope from marrying Evelyn, and a couple of gangsters are also on board trying to hide from sight. When Billy is mistaken for "Public Enemy Number One," he's treated like royalty, which is fun for him, but Hope is not impressed. Billy confesses and is immediately put behind bars along with the gangsters. But this is a musical, so they escape and everyone gets married, which obviously means a happy ending for all.*
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| Hope Nordquist as Reno (photo by Sobottka Photography) |
Leading this 26-person cast is Hope Nordquist as Reno, a role she is so perfect for. She's funny and bawdy, with clear and strong vocals, and dances with ease. Hope has played several supporting roles
this season, and it's great fun to see her shine at center stage. She's well matched in new-to-me Drew Reynhout as Billy, a charming rogue with a lovely voice. Other highlights include Mira Davis as Hope (the Billy-Hope duets are indeed de-lovely), Lois Estell as her appropriately annoying mother, Lewis Youngren in a very funny performance as Evelyn, Adam Bloom as the not-so-dangerous Moonface Martin, and Marley Ritchie stealing scenes as his partner in crime Erma.
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| the cast of Anything Goes (photo by Sobottka Photography) |
Scenic designer Justin Hooper has re-created a two-story cruise ship on stage, with the six-piece band (led by Music Director Natalie McComas) seated on the upper deck and staircases descending on either side. It looks nautical and elegant, enough to make one want to go on a cruise. The delicious period costumes (designed by Meghan Kent) range from formal wear, to cruise casual chic, to showgirl outfits, to crisp white sailor uniforms. But the true highlight of this show is the dancing, to this score that is chock full of such familiar songs as "Friendship," "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," and "It's De-Lovely." The elaborate tap dancing number to the title song that closes out Act I is the best in the show, with everyone getting involved and creating a thrilling percussive rhythm. "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" is another big fun ensemble number, but the smaller more intimate dances are just as fun to watch.
Anything Goes is a classic musical with an instantly recognizable score full of songs that have become part of the American Songbook. The songs are strung together with a silly fun plot, but mostly it's an excuse from some great music and dancing, and the cast and creative team at Lakeshore Players Theatre deliver.
