Anything Goes is a classic cliché musical full of catchy songs and humorous scenes. It takes place on a cruise ship where the passengers are very superficial and only care about whether or not famous people are taking a sea journey with them. Unfortunately, for the captain, the celebrities that were meant to board never showed up or canceled, to the displeasure of many of the wealthy passengers. When Bill Crocker (Bill English) and Moonface Martin (Joel Grey) pose as the top two most wanted criminals, the captain and passengers are overwhelmed with joy to be in the presence of such celebrities (though infamous).
The story is obviously one filled with unrequited or at least troublesome love. Billy Crocker, a young man learning his ropes on Wall Street, is in love with a girl Hope Harcourt (Erin Mackey). Unfortunately, this wealthy (or previously wealthy) woman is soon to be married to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Robert Petkoff) of England – one of the funnier characters! He stows away on the cruise ship as “Snake Eyes,” the legitimate most wanted criminal who never made it to the ship. He befriends Erma (Hayley Podschun) and Moonface Martin who help him along the trip. There are also alternative love scenes between Elisha Whitney (John Horton), an old Wall Street man, and Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt (Julie Halston), and between Lord Evelyn Oakleigh and Reno Sweeney (Stephanie J. Block), a performer known for being promiscuous. In the end, everyone gets married to their true love! How predictable!!! But that’s what one must expect when seeing a classic musicalJ.
I really enjoyed this show as it was very upbeat and the songs were very powerful. There were more happy songs than there were ballads and there was a huge tap dance number in which Reno Sweeney danced for at least five minutes and then came out singing as if 
she had been resting her voice for years! Amazing breath control she has! I thought the character of Erma was a cute one too, as her voice matched her curly hair and spunky personality – she “tended” to the sailors’ needs.
One of the main appeals of this production to the audience is the addition of Joel Grey to the cast. His character of Moonface Martin is adorable. He’s tiny and he slightly waddles like a penguin. He was disguised as a priest – which is humorous because he’s a criminal, hardly close to God! He’s always tricking people on board in silly ways.
Overall, it’s a recommended show! It’s something fun to see and something that one would dance in one’s seat with. Sing along, and have a good time!
*A shout-out and thank you to Mr. Grey. Although he snuck out the main theatre entrance as I waited by the stage door, he did send me an autographed Playbill upon my request!
Anything Goes
Stephen Sondheim Theatre
May 6, 2012
Marina B. Nebro
