“Anything Goes”

★★★★★ Thank you Music Theater Works! This company keeps my memories of the classic musicals alive. The beauty of this company is that its artistic director, Rudy Hogenmiller ( who also directed tonight’s powerful production) is a lover of the old-fashioned “musical Comedy”, so there was no doubt that his version of “Anything Goes” ( music and lyrics by Cole Porter) would be a powerhouse. The original book ( P.G. Woodhouse and Guy Bolton with Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse) has been updated by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman, but the production still tells the age-old story of love, dance ( great choreography by  Clayton Cross- including the big “tap” number that will have your toes tapping the floor even after the performers leave the stage) and comedy.

The premise of the story is that our hero Billy Crocker (a superb job by Ken Singleton) is in love with a young lady , Hope ( sweetly played by Lexis Danca) who it turns out is about to marry an English Lord, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh ( played to perfection by Maxwell J. DeTogne, who is  quite the dancer and comic). Not for love, but for his status and wealth to keep her mother (Liz Norton) from becoming broke. After all, this takes place in the 1930’s and there were some real down days back then. Billy’s employer, Mr. Whitney(deftly handled by Rick Rapp) is going on the same cruise ship as the soon to be married couple and has asked Billy to dump some stock before the market crashes. Billy never leaves the ship and so of course, the stock sits where it was.

It turns out that Whitney once had a “thing” for Mrs. Harcourt and being on the ship re-ignites his feelings of yore. Cruises tend to be very romantic ( at least they say this is the case). There are others on the ship that are mob-related, Moonface Martin ( adorably played by Brian Zane) and the adorable ( and sexy) Erma ( Kayla Boyle is just right) and then the ship talent, Reno Sweeney ( the leggy and sultry Erica Evans, who will knock you off your feet with her talent. A true triple-threat!). The big tap number, “Anything Goes” is led by her, in voice and dance and even though there are many who prefer not hearing applause in the middle of a number, this ensemble deserved to know the audience was enchanted by their agility and ability- Hognmiller, you did it again! You always find just the right actors to play the roles! Bravo!

A production like this cannot work without a strong ensemble, so let’s give credit where due:David Gordon-Johnson, Bob Sanders, Alex Wu, Nico Joshua, Timothy Wolf, Jar’Davion Brown, Matt Huston, Tyler Klingbiel, Bryan J. Wlas, Kim Green, Kelly Lohrenz, Allyssa O’Donnell ,Hope Schafer, Anna Marie Abbate, Anna Backer, Heather Banks, Clayton Cross, Leon Evans, Kim Green, Peter Ruger, Tade Tischhauser and Bryn J. Wlas. Great work!

The new set designer (Kristin Martino) designed a great cruise ship, allowing the show to move swiftly and smoothly from scene to scene. Act One is a tad long ( one hour and thirty nine -minutes), while act two only about an hour. That was the way musicals were done in the old days.  Alexa Weinzierl’s costumes were amazing, and the lighting ( Andrew H. Meyers) and sound (Aaron Quick) perfect. Jamie Karas did a bang up job on the props and the orchestra ( a solid feature of this company) conducted and directed by Roger L. Bingaman was as solid as usual ( and expected by their well-seasoned audience).

Those of you unfamiliar with the show might be more familiar with the songs: “I Get A Kick Out Of You”, “You’re The Top”, “Easy To Love”, “Friendship”, “It’s De-Lovely” and the incredible “Blow Gabriel Blow”, featured in the second act. This is Porter at his best!

I guess the biggest problem with this production is the run, leaving many of you no opportunity to catch this wonderful theatrical experience. “Anything Goes” will continue at  Cahn Auditorium, on The Northwestern campus-600 Emerson Street thru August 26th. The performances are as follows:

Sunday, August 19th at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, August 22nd at 2 p.m.

Thursday, August 23rd at 2 p.m.

Friday, August 24th  8 p.m.

Saturday, August 25th  8 p.m.

Sunday, August 26th  2 p.m.

TOLD YOU-NOT many opportunities.

Tickets range from $34 ( 25 and under, half price) suggested age min 8 years old.

To get your chance to see this blockbuster musical call 847-920-5360 or visit www.MusicTheaterWorks.com

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Anything Goes”