Review: ANYTHING GOES at Goodspeed Opera House

Some musicals make you think, some make you cry, while others just give you a permanent smile on your face for the duration of the show. The latter was the state of this reviewer as we set sail on the S.S. American for a rollicking "Bon Voyage" in Goodspeed Musicals' opening show of the 2016 season, ANYTHING GOES. This production is truly "De-Lovely" and lives up to the standard and quality that audiences are used to experiencing in the intimate, beautiful setting that is the Goodspeed Opera House.

ANYTHING GOES is the timeless story of a transatlantic luxury voyage in the bygone era of the 1930's, featuring a famous nightclub evangelist, a lovesick stowaway, and Public Enemy #13. Through a series of mistaken identities, complex love triangles, and nautical nonsense, hilarity ensues. And with a score by Cole Porter and a book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse (of Jeeves fame), Howard Lindsay, Russel and Timothy Crouse and John Weidman, it's hard to go wrong. Luckily, this production doesn't disappoint, and delivers two hours of pure entertainment.

There are so many good things that are "The Top" in this production. First, Rashidra Scott as Reno Sweeney simply soars. Her presence on stage commands the audience, but when she starts to sing, she mesmerizes. From her opening number, "I Get a Kick out of You", to her show stopping delivery of "Blow, Gabriel, Blow", Ms. Scott delivers her Reno with a modern sensibility and a voice that fills the room. Her performance alone would make this production worth seeing, but there is so much more!

David Harris' handsome and charming Billy Crocker proves the perfect complement to both Ms. Scott's Reno and Hannah Florence's Hope. His voice reminded this reviewer of the great balladeers of the period, which proved perfect for the Cole Porter standards, of which there are many. Another standout performance was Stephen DeRosa as Moonface Martin. Mr. DeRosa's comic timing and his hilarious facial expressions had the audience (and in one case, a fellow cast member!) laughing at his antics.

Under Daniel Goldstein's direction, the cast works seamlessly to deliver musical comedy gold. I must also call out Kelli Barclay's amazing choreography. With ANYTHING GOES, you expect amazing tap numbers, and boy, do you get them! But in this production every dance number thrills. Hats off to Ms. Barclay (and the cast) for delivering such complex and beautiful dance numbers in such a small space. The dance numbers also help to accentuate the gorgeous costumes by Ilona Somogyi. Wilson Chin's ocean liner set is a beautiful art deco masterpiece, and as always with Goodspeed productions, I was thoroughly impressed with the creative use of the limited space. Speaking of space, placing the orchestra on stage was a wise choice that not only allowed for more space up front for those phenomenal dance numbers, but also put the music firmly at the center of the action. And the music, as orchestrated by Dan DeLange and directed by Michael O'Flaherty (and conducted by William Thomas) soared.

Goodspeed Musicals has once again produced a piece that thrills audiences and introduces a new generation to a classic of the American Musical Theatre. ANYTHING GOES entertains, amazes, and simply makes you smile. A brilliant start to what should be a great 2016 season.

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ANYTHING GOES runs at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT through June 16. Performances are Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. (with select performances at 2:00 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.) For more information, call 860-873-8668 or visit www.goodspeed.org. The Goodspeed Opera House is located at 6 Main Street, East Haddam, CT.

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Photo credits: Top photo: The cast of Goodspeed Musicals' Anything Goes now playing at The Goodspeed through June 16. Photo Credit © Photo by Diane Sobolewski

Mid photo: Stephen DeRosa (Moonface Martin), Rashidra Scott (Reno Sweeney) and David Harris (Billy Crocker) with the cast of Goodspeed Musicals' Anything Goes now playing at The Goodspeed through June 16. Photo Credit © Photo by Diane Sobolewski

Bottom photo: Public Enemy Number One" David Harris and the cast of Goodspeed Musicals' Anything Goes now playing at The Goodspeed through June 16. Photo Credit © Photo by Diane Sobolewski

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