Anything Goes has an interesting heritage. It began life at the Alvin Theater in New York City in November 1934. It was revived at the Orpheum Theater in 1962. In 1987 it was updated and some other Cole Porter songs were added. In between there were also film and television productions. The musical may be 73 years old, but its story is a classic, and Cole Porter's tunes are memorable. Vanguard Productions' staging, under the competent direction of Sue Murphy, features Lesley K. Person as Reno, a manipulative lady who knows how to get things done. She opens the show with Billy, Patrick McBride, singing "You're the Top." Romance blossoms when Billy and Hope, April Boatman. At the moment, though, Hope is engaged to Sir Evellyn Oakleigh (Robin Felix). They sing "It's Delovely" backed up by the chorus. Moonface, Rob Hoadley, joins Reno and Billy in "Friendship." Pearson gets some of the best songs of the show with "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "Anything Goes," just in the first act.
With a cast of 42, Anything Goes is really big and really good. The stage gets a wee bit crowded when the Youth Choir and Adult Chorus are added to the principals. Still, it all works gloriously. Not only do they fill the hall with music, they also perform some very nice dance numbers. The Youth Choir is composed of teens all the way down to two of the loveliest dancers that can't be more than two or three. Add to this a bit of tap dancing, and you are in for quite a show.
The set is basically the deck of the U.S. America but it also includes a couple of cabin interiors, a large stateroom, the ships lounge, and the brig - a very creative design by John Murphy, also responsible for lighting and sound. Music is provided by Pamela Monroe, Jay Sayers, and Isaac Crow. Deborah Ford's costumes range widely from simple jumpers and sailor suits to evening gowns and a wedding dress.
Westminster Theater's deep projection stage brings the action close and personal. One feels a part of this energetic and exciting production. Director Murphy creatively uses the auditorium exits as entrances, further giving the audience the feeling of being other voyagers traveling to England. <
Ended:
July 29, 2007
Country:
USA
State:
California
City:
San Diego
Company/Producers:
Vanguard Productions
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Westminster Theater
Theater Address:
3598 Talbot Street
Phone:
(619) 224-6263
Running Time:
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Sue Murphy
Review:
Cast:
Lesley K. Pearson, Patrick McBride, Rob Hoadley, April Boatman, Tami Dickerson, Robin Felix, Jo-Darlene Reardon, Bob Matchinske, Jerry Marcu, Rev. Howard Heath, Steve Oggel, Kathy MacCarthy, Solveig Fuentes, Jazzy Aburto-Pratt, Lynle Struble, Deborah Ford, Jerry Monroe, Michael Grohsman, Michael Robertson, Kristin-Brown Hoadley, Monica Lane, Leslie Miller, Barbara McGowen; Adult Chorus: Elaine Kaplan, Claire Langham Richmond, Emi Morton, & Terry Reid; Youth Choir: Samantha Canela, Caitlin Davis, Maren Hale, Laurin Hoadley, Brook Justus, Courtney Justus, Lauren Justus, Erica Malachowski, Arynn Pitta, Jessica Robertson, Shelley Shinohara, Chris Soldau, Daniel Soldau, Mia Trompas, Natalie Volle; Musicians: Pamela Monroe, Jay Sayers, Isaac Crow.
Technical:
Music Director: Pamela Monroe; Choreography: Joanne Stafford, Metro Dance Studio; Stage Mgr: David R. Pearson; Set/Lighting/Sound: John Murphy; Costumes: Deborah Ford
Critic:
Robert Hitchcox
Date Reviewed:
July 2007
