Review Roundup: Roundabout's ANYTHING GOES in Toronto

Roundabout Theatre Company's ANYTHING GOES is now playing until August 25 at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

Rachel York stars as Reno Sweeney and Fred Applegate stars as Moonface Martin. The principal cast includes Josh Franklin as Billy Crocker, Jeff Brooks as Purser, Joyce Chittick as Erma, Alex Finke as Hope Harcourt, Dennis Kelly as Elisha Whitney, Vincent Rodriguez III as Luke, Marcus Shane as John, Sandra Shipley as Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Edward Staudenmayer as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, and Chuck Wagner as Captain.

For more information, visit www.anythinggoesthemusical.com

Let's see what the critics had to say:

Richard Ouzounian of the Toronto Star says: When the orchestra under Jay Alger zipped through an assortment of gold-plated tunes in the overture including "I Get a Kick Out of You," "Easy to Love" and the title song, you realize the joy that comes from hearing a classic score presented in a clasSy Manner.... I love the fact that this production knows when to "goose" a Porter favourite in just the right way (listen for the clever modulations and tempo changes after every chorus of "You're the Top") and when to leave it just as the man wrote it (no attempt to modernize all the topical references in any of the numbers).

Carly Maga of the Torontoist says: Still, York, Franklin, Applegate, and Staudemayer deliver broad but well-executed performances, and somehow get laughs for even the lamest of jokes. Director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, upon a beautiful cruise-ship set by Derek McLane, finds the perfect balance between cheese and corn. A giant hook ends the particularly gag-filled "Friendship" for a tongue-in-cheek twist, but an adorable duet between Moonface and a blue spotlight in "Be Like the Bluebird" is full of old-school charm.

Andrea Baillie of the Winnepeg Free Press writes: Thankfully, York - a Broadway veteran (who appeared opposite Julie Andrews in ''Victor/Victoria") - is more than up to the challenge. With a huge voice and a million-watt smile, the 41-year-old Florida native appears to be having the time of her life as the show's wise-cracking, toe-tapping heroine. Her raucous Act Two opener "Blow Gabriel Blow" elicited a marathon, deafening round of applause that seemed as though it might never stop. And she has some very nice chemistry with Franklin (who charms as Billy) as the pair try to one-up each other during the rollicking "You're the Top."

Cate Kustanczy of the Digital Journal says: "Anything Goes" is a fun, lively time at the theater. For jazz lovers especially, it's a heavenly ride. The touring production of the music, on now in Toronto, offers great singing, glamorous costumes, and dazzling dance numbers.

Brianne Hogan of the Post City says: And those dance numbers (choreographed by the show's director, Kathleen Marshall) are phenomenal. There's little wonder why Marshall took the Tony for Best Choreography in 2011 for the original Roundabout Theatre production. In fact, the show itself won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, and anyone who enjoys an old-fashioned musical can see why: it has Broadway smash written - more like dazzled - all over it. Rachel York steals the show as lounge singer Reno Sweeney, a fur stole-clad modern broad who's been around the block a few times yet still yearns to be in love. York defines the meaning of "triple threat" - acting, dancing, singing - and she's definitely captain of this ship.

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