A 1930s musical set on a ship could be a large feat for a small, community theater. Theatre Palisades’ production of Cole Porter’s ‘Anything Goes’ (book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse) meets the challenge with clever set design (Gene Smith) that allows for an entertaining night of song and dance. Directed by Lewis Hauser and produced by Cindy Dellinger and Andrew Frew, the show runs through July 31 at Pierson Playhouse. As the passengers board the S.S. American in New York, we meet well-known entertainer Reno Sweeney (Rene’ Travelli) and her four Angels, Chastity (Amy Coles), Charity (Sarah D’Agostino), Purity (Erin Holt) and Virture (understudy Victoria Miller). ‘If I’m not in the chapel, I’ll be in the bar,’ says Sweeney, whose seductive and engaging persona makes her queen of the ship. Billy Crocker (Ryan McCormick), assistant to businessman Elisha Whitney (Len Magnus), originally comes to see off both his employer and Reno but is struck by the sight of Hope Harcourt (Kimberly Peterson), a love interest with whom he spent one long night in the city. Hope, too, remembers Billy, though she admits she was engaged then and still is’to be married to Englishman Sir Evelyn Oakleigh (Michael German); they will marry when the ship docks in England. Hope’s stuffy mother, Mrs. Harcourt (Marjorie Throne), is the only real advocate of the marriage. The drama begins when Billy acquires a ticket and passport from gangster Moonface Martin (George Lissandrello), whose partner in crime, ‘Snake Eyes’ Johnson (‘Public Enemy Number One’), has not shown up for the trip. Bonnie (Christina Putrelo) is Moonface’s moll. Mistaken identities, clandestine romance and the wild goose chase for ‘Snake Eyes’/Billy are part of what makes ‘Anything Goes’ so amusing. But will Billy lose Hope’s love over his continuous and addictive need to assume various disguises? Will Sir Evelyn ‘find his sea legs’ with someone other than Hope? Actor McCormick is best when acting as an impostor, portraying an elderly lady he introduces as ‘Mrs. George Bernard Shaw’ and a Frenchman with a Spanish accent. Lissandrello plays the perfect sarcastic New York gangster, or ‘Public Enemy Number Thirteen,’ ready to pull another fast one or turn himself in. His comedic solo performance of ‘Be Like the Bluebird’ gets several laughs. Together, these actors’ dramatic pauses and glances towards the audience create the production’s sly and comic overtone. Some of the most dazzling performances come from Travelli, whose beautiful voice carries many of the musical numbers, including ‘You’re the Top,’ ‘Let’s Misbehave’ and her solo, ‘I Get a Kick Out of You.’ Peterson’s strong and sweet operatic voice is a pleasure to hear in songs like ‘All Through the Night,’ and the cheerful ‘It’s Delovely.’ The women team of Angels impress with their superb dancing. In sparkling sailor costumes, 1930’s-style hats and evening gowns (costume design by Joyce Gayle Smith), these actresses light up the set’s precisely painted ship exterior. The show is well-choreographed from start to finish by Victoria Miller, with the ‘Anything Goes’ tap dancing number earning loud applause. Music direction by Anoush NeVart, who plays piano, with James Bounds on bass and Jason Carmi on drums, really keeps the production in tune. Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 454-1970 or visit the box office at 941 Temescal Canyon Rd., Wednesday through Saturday, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
