Review Roundup: Music Theatre Works' ANYTHING GOES

Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works) presents Cole Porter's classic 1930s musical comedy, ANYTHING GOES, at Cahn Auditorium in Evanston, now through 26. A Big Band orchestra accompanies such well-known songs as "I Get a Kick Out of You," "It's De-Lovely," "Friendship" and "You're the Top."

ANYTHING GOES is directed by Music Theater Works artistic director Rudy Hogenmiller, conducted by Roger L. Bingaman and choreographed by Clayton Cross.

The cast includes Erica Evans (Reno Sweeney), Ken Singleton (Billy Crocker), Lexis Danca (Hope Harcourt) and Brian Zane (Moonface Martin).

The design/production team is Kristen Martino (scenic), Alexa Weinzierl (costumes), Andrew H. Meyers (lighting), Aaron Quick (sound), Sean McStravick (stage manager), Christina L. Reszel (hair and make-up), Jamie Karas (props master) and Katie Beeks (production manager).

The opening night reception is sponsored by The Stained Glass in Evanston.

ANYTHING GOES is Music Theater Works' second production of 2018. The season will continue with Judy Garland: COME RAIN OR COME SHINE starring Angela Ingersoll (October 5-14) and Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS (December 22-31).

Discounted season ticket packages are still available.

Ticket prices for ANYTHING GOES begin at $34. Ages 25 and younger are half price (recommended for 8 and older). To order tickets, or for more information, call the Music Theater Works box office at (847) 920-5360 or order online 24 hours a day at www.MusicTheaterWorks.com

Let's see what the critics have to say!

Catey Sullivan, Chicago Sun-Times: MTW's Reno is Erica Evans, a powerhouse from start to finish. Evans is a potent mix of Jayne Mansfield, Lucille Ball, Cyd Charisse and Lauren Bacall. She has legs for days, which makes choreographer Clayton Cross' Ziegfeld Follies-meets-vaudeville-meets-classic-Fred-and-Ginger dances dazzle.

Lawrence Bommer, Stage and Cinema: Definitely your Ethel Merman-style, ginger-sharp and leather-lunged belter, Erica Evans, as Reno Sweeney, the unofficial cruise director of the S.S. American, revels in both her "I Get a Kick..." (despite a well-retrieved false start on opening night) and the heavenly hijinks of her "Blow, Gabriel, Blow." And only Porter's persuasive ditties could make sense of Reno's strange romance with Maxwell J DeTogne's upper-class twit ("The Gypsy in Me" being his improbable audition ballad).

Emily McClanathan, BroadwayWorld: Musically, Ken Singleton and Lexis Danca deliver pleasant solos and duets as star-crossed lovers Hope Harcourt and Billy Crocker. Other strong vocal performances include the quartet of sailors (Jar'Davion Brown, Matt Huston, Tyler Klingbiel, and Bryan J. Wlas), whose tight harmonies leave one wishing they had more featured numbers. Roger L. Bingaman conducts the live big-band orchestra, which includes several strong soloists who bring plenty of energy to Cole Porter's score, despite some minor balance issues. The high visibility of Cahn Auditorium's orchestra pit lends itself to some playful interactions between musicians and cast; for example, allowing Reno to gesture to the principal trumpet during "Blow, Gabriel, Blow".