Anything Goes on Broadway

     This past Saturday, I decided to meet up with my girlfriend, Chelsea, in New York and take in a show together. We decided upon Anything Goes, and let me tell you, it was quite the good decision! The show, a revival of a 1934 comedy about the mishaps that take place on an ocean liner on its way from New York to London, is well-deserving of the three Tony awards it received this year (Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actress: Sutton Foster, and Best Choreography: Kathleen Marshall).



Donnell, Foster, and Grey strike up a plan as
Billy Crocker, Reno Sweeney, and Moonface Martin in "Anything Goes"



     Anything Goes is a charming tale of love and misunderstandings that follows Billy Crocker (Colin Donnell) as he sneaks aboard the S.S. American in hope of wooing the woman he loves, heiress Hope Harcourt. Harcourt, however, is engaged to the British Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (hilariously portrayed here by Adam Godley), but that doesn't stop Crocker. He enlists the help of his good friend, nightclub singer Reno Sweeney (Sutton Foster, cast perfectly for the part) and "Public Enemy #13" Moonface Martin (the wonderfully talented Joel Grey), who is also on the ship in secret. Together they try their best to win over the affections of Miss Harcourt, all the while avoiding the authorities who are after the stowaways.



Reno Sweeney and Moonface Martin
declare their "Friendship."


    By far, the greatest assets to this show are Sutton Foster as Reno Sweeney and Joel Grey as Moonface Martin. From the very moment she steps on stage, Foster commands control of the audience, wowing from the first note of "I Get A Kick Out of You" all the way through to the show's final number. Her classic, leading lady poise and beautiful voice lend themselves well to the role of Sweeney, and her stage presence is phenomenal. Here is an actress who grabs hold of the audience and simply does not let go.
     Likewise, Joel Grey is comedic gold in the role of Moonface Martin. He too thrills from start to finish, and is an excellent choice for Martin. There is never a dull moment with Grey onstage, and even the character's softest moment, the mock-inspirational yet nonetheless touching "Be Like the Bluebird," is filled with mirth and childlike glee at Grey's expert hands.
     Naturally thus, when the duo teams up to sing "Friendship" toward the end of Act I, the result is pure theatrical bliss. What starts as an honest pledge of unity quickly devolves into a ridiculous display of hammy one-upmanship that is perfectly in character for Sweeney and Martin, and is deftly handled by Foster and Grey, who never allow the egotistical competition of their characters to get too harsh or spiral away from the lighthearted good time that the song is.

     I had a great time at Anything Goes— both Chelsea and I absolutely adored it!—  and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good, toe-tapping classic Broadway romp. It's especially worth it if you can get your hands on some rush tickets (as I did), because the show is good from any and all seats in the house! With memorable numbers like "I Get a Kick Out of You," "It's De-Lovely," "Friendship," and the title number, Anything Goes is a musical that is not to be missed!

     

"Anything Goes" runs through January 8, 2012 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (pictured above.)
For more information, visit the Roundabout Theatre Company's Official Site.