Theatre Review: Anything Goes

Roundabout Theatre Company’s ANYTHING GOES. Pictured: Rachel York and Company.

It’s an interesting musical title and provocative logo considering the play was first performed in 1934. If you’ve ever been on a cruise this musical follows a similarly fun setup as the onboard entertainment. Theatre goers will understand the plot and the music and dancing is varied enough to be seen with your grandparents or teenaged daughter.

Winner of the 2011 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Roundabout Theatre Company’s Anything Goes sails direct from Broadway under the direction of Kathleen Marshall, who won the 2011 Tony Award® for Best Choreography.  The musical introduced such songs as “Easy to Love”, “I Get a Kick Out of You” and of course “Anything Goes.” The latter is performed just before intermission with an amazing tap dance number and one of the reasons I love older musicals. Other than today’s Riverdance, you don’t get a lot of tap numbers anymore in modern musicals.

The musical comedy follows two star crossed lovers Billy Crocker and heiress Hope Harcourt on a transatlantic cruise from New York to London. Throw into the mix nightclub singer Reno Sweeney who’s in love with Crocker, Ms. Harcourt’s English fiancé Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, who falls for Sweeney and you have yourself the makings for mishaps and antics 1930’s style. Luckily for Billy, Reno and Public Enemy #13—Moonface Martin, aid him in his quest to win Hope. It’s campy predictable humour that everyone will fall in love with.

Rachel York stars as Reno Sweeney and Fred Applegate stars as Moonface Martin. The principal cast includes Josh Franklin as Billy Crocker, Alex Finke as Hope Harcourt, and Edward Staudenmayer as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh.

Mrs. York delivers a standing ovation worthy performance, which is expected given her past musical talents, but I was impressed with the clarity and range of Franklin’s performance that complemented York’s but also held his own during duets.

For those of you wanting to feel the rush of Anything Goes, Mirvish Productions is offering Rush tickets at $29 for all performances. These must be purchased in-person only on a first-come basis on the day of the performance when the Princess of Wales Theatre box office opens. There is a limit of two tickets per person. Anything Goes plays a strictly limited engagement from July 17 – August 18 at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Due to popular demand Roundabout Theatre Company’s Anything Goes extends one more week at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Now on stage until August 25^th.

For tickets call 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-333 or visit www.mirvish.com

@VIPRene