BWW Reviews: Lively and Fun ANYTHING GOES at the Fox Theatre

The award-winning revival of Anything Goes (music/lyrics by Cole Porter, original book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, with a revision by Howard Linday and Russel Crouse, and an update by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman) arrives at the Fox Theatre in splashy and resplendent fashion, with a plethora of catchy musical numbers and a game cast. I've seen this musical several times before, it is a community theatre staple after all, but this production easily blows them all away. Sure, it's a period piece, and a bit old fashioned in some regards, but it perks along nicely thanks to an energetic cast and engaging direction and choreography. Even if you have seen it before, this presentation is well worth seeing, and a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

The plot is rather convoluted, but that allows for a lot of cases of mistaken identity and screwball comedy. Here, Billy Crocker, a Wall Street broker falls for heiress Hope Harcourt and stows away aboard the S.S. American on its voyage to London. Meanwhile, evangelist turned nightclub singer, Reno, who has eyes for Billy herself, also makes the trip. They're joined by public enemies Moonface Martin and his sidekick, Erma, who are in disguise as missionaries. Though Hope can't stop thinking about Billy, she's promised to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, with the idea that his money can bail out the Harcourt's supposedly failing business. Nuttiness ensues, and, in the end you just know that issues will be resolved and romances will blossom amid a myriad of revelations.

Rachel York oozes sensuality as the brazen Reno, and she belts out a number of signature tunes from the show (such as the bouncy classic, "I Get A Kick Out of You") with considerable aplomb. Though the focus may be on other characters, all eyes are drawn to York, and her superb comic timing, whenever she's on stage. Josh Franklin also does fine work as Billy Crocker, and he's well matched with Alex Finke as Hope. Scene-stealer Edward Staudenmayer is properly stuffy as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, and Dennis Kelly is sharp as Billy's boss Elisha Whitney. Fred Applegate and Joyce Chittick (Moonface and Erma, respectively) add to the craziness as lower tier gangsters. The supporting cast is equally up to task, and they all bring considerable energy to the dance numbers, in particular, and the overall show in general.

Director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall keeps the action moving along at a respectable pace, and brings the first act to a rousing finish with the entire cast performing a tap number that nearly brings the house down. Derek McClane's scenic design is an eye-popping, multi-level, nautical delight, and the entire show is wonderfully lit by Howell Binkley. Martin Pakledinaz's period 1930's costumes are spot on, and Jay Adler does superior work conducting the orchestra.

Anything Goes is filled to the rim with memorable music and performances, and is definitely worth checking out. See it at the Fox Theatre through June 9, 2013.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

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