VIDEO: SummerStage at Leonia Sets Sail With ANYTHING GOES

SummerStage at Leonia opens its 20th anniversary season on July 18 with Cole Porter's classic musical Anything Goes. Performances are July 18 through August 4, 2019 at the historic Civil War Drill Hall Theatre in Leonia, NJ.

Since its Broadway debut in 1934, Anything Goes has become one of America's best-loved musicals. Set on a trans-Atlantic passenger ship, it tells a wildly comic tale of gangsters, debutantes, saloon singers and host of fallen "Angels." Porter's iconic score consists of such American songbook standards as "I Get a Kick Out of You," "It's De-Lovely," "Easy to Love," "Friendship," and of course the tap-danced title tune.

Perry Award-winner Ray Yucis of Paterson, NJ returns for his thirteenth season to direct a large company of performers from Leonia and other north New Jersey communities, as well as singers and dancers from New York City. Yucis is joined by nationally-ranked choreographer Tabitha Boulding, owner of Tate Dance Academy in Teaneck, NJ, who has staged the show's energetic tap and jazz routines. Frequent music director Carolyn Russo of Lincoln Park leads an orchestra of professional local musicians. Set design and construction is by Michael Moat of Brick, NJ, who has helped to build many Broadway shows. Executive Producer Dr. Frank Livelli has once again recruited New York and Los Angeles based lighting designer, Coby Chasman-Beck. Chasman-Beck has assisted on the Broadway productions of Hello, Dolly, Tootsie, and others. Costumes are by Joanne Livelli, Laurette Miller and Diane Arabella and Hair by Inga Thrasher and Theresa Taylor.

The wonderful cast of Anything Goes is led by Maggie Ronck as Reno Sweeney, Jazmin Palmer as Hope Harcourt, Lisa Bondi, as Erma Latour, Jeanmarie Garver as Evangeline Harcourt, Damon Quattrocchi as Billy Crocker, Kerry Dunn as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, Christopher Milone as Moonface Martin, James Lesko as Elisha Whitney, Tony Martin as the Captain, John Villa as the Purser, Chanpyo Kim as Luke, and Lucas Chan as John, with the special participation of Howard Larsen as Rev. Henry T. Dobson. Eileen Cannon, Noelle Cappuzzo, Janice Engelgau and Erin Joy Grgas as Reno's Angels. The spectacular ensemble are joined by Madisyn Mugavero, Azalea Kemp, Kaete Mokrynski, Chloe Nevill, Ralph Martinez and Daniel Vazquez. The rest of the company is made complete by the ship's sailors: J.C. Alberti, Matthew DeMarco, Cory Ingraham, Alfred Lockhart and Josh Rubenstein.

"We are thrilled to have such outstanding talent in our SummerStage family," Dr. Livelli stated. "It is a joy to collaborate with them to create an unforgettable experience for the audience."

"It's a joy to work on a show like this where everything is about providing laughs and a toe-tapping good time for our audience," says director Yucis. "And listening to all those great Cole Porter tunes each night has made rehearsals a delight."

Anything Goes will be performed at the air-conditioned Civil War Drill Hall Theater (130 Grand Ave, Leonia, NJ) running July 18 through August 4, 2019. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 :00pm, and Sunday matinees at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and $27 for seniors/students. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 201-944-4300; at local Leonia businesses Soloist Music, Pacicco Jewelers, and Pooch Parlor; or via the website at www.leoniasummerstage.org.

Video Credit: Marc Leland