Do you feel the need to take a little vacation from this winter weather? Though you might not be able to afford a full cruise, you can escape from reality for a few hours on a cruise with the cast of “Anything Goes” to dance, sing and laugh to its well known songs such as “You’re the Top,” “Let’s Misbehave,” “Blow, Gabriel Blow,” “Take Me Back to Manhattan” and, of course, its title song “Anything Goes.”
Set sail on the S.S. American along with a group of crazy and fun characters in the Haddonfield Memorial High School Drama Club’s production of “Anything Goes” on March 4, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.
“‘Anything Goes’ is a perfect example of old-school musical theater. It has a classic, hummable score, huge production numbers-including the tap dance to the title song and witty comedy. It’s a very challenging production because the material is so demanding physically, vocally and theatrically. We have an exceptional cast with many standout performers, and this production gives our program the opportunity to highlight a wide range of talents. ‘Anything Goes’ is one of my favorite musicals of all time,” Director Matthew DiDonato said.
“Anything Goes” by Cole Porter is set in 1932 aboard the S.S. American, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from
America to England. Evangelist turned nightclub singer Reno Sweeney, played by senior Grace Grimes, is aboard the ship with her friend Billy Crocker, played by senior Patrick Ransole O’Malley, who has stowed away to chase after his love, Hope Harcourt, played by senior Claire Gautier; but Hope is engaged to the wealthy Englishman Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, played by Cuinlan Pedretti. Also on board the ocean liner are Public Enemy №13 Moonface Martin, played by junior Sean Wilkinson, and his sidekick Erma, played by senior Allison Sparrow. With the help of outrageous disguises and a tap-dancing chorus, Reno and Moonface join forces to help Billy win Hope’s heart.
“It’s an upbeat, feel-good show with some fun characters,” O’Malley said. “It’s filled with huge group numbers, and almost every scene has a song and dance.”
The HMHS production of “Anything Goes” promises to be one of its biggest productions to date. They have a cast of 49 students, an elaborate set and extravagant song and dance numbers, tap being at the forefront.
“I would say that the most difficult thing about this show is that every aspect of the production is huge. What I mean by this is that the show requires an elaborate set and lighting design, show-stopping dance numbers, high-energy songs and romantic ballads, and top-notch comedic acting. Putting this all together in just 10 weeks with a cast and crew of 75 seems like a daunting task, but everything is falling into place,” DiDonato said.
“I think it is way bigger than anything I have seen in Haddonfield. I think it is a lot of fun,” Sparrow said.
DiDonato doesn’t have a favorite part, but if he had to choose, he said he loves the tap-dancing. Members of the cast found the dancing to be one of the more difficult parts, but once they got it, it became fun and some of their favorite parts, other than spending time with their theater family, of course.
“I like the dancing. It’s really challenging, and the whole cast has had to work really hard to make it work together and look like it’s supposed to. And I think everyone has done a good job. It’s been fun to see the progress,” Sparrow said.
“Mr. DiDonato and Ms. Davis have really taught us how to tap and make it fun. It’s been really, really awesome,” said Dana Schwartz, who plays Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Hope’s mother.
“Going into this production, we only had five students who took tap classes regularly, so you will see how far the cast has come,” DiDonato said.
“The directors and the coaches we have here are phenomenal. This show would not be what it is without them leading us,” Grimes said.
The director as well as members of the cast would like the audience to be happy and entertained during the performance and leave the theater dancing and wanting to come back for more.
“The bottom line is that the audience should expect to be entertained. The first act ends with the title song in which all 49 members of the cast are on stage tapping their hearts out. The energy is so high, and I think the audience will be amazed. It will be unlike anything that has ever been on stage at HMHS,” DiDonato said. “Our greatest hope is that audience members will leave the theater happier than when they entered.”
“I want the audience to be impressed. I hope they can see that we are a high school cast, but that we perform at a collegiate level. I want them to want to come see it twice; I’d like to see the audience grow each night,” Grimes said.
Members of the cast would love everyone in Haddonfield to see the show. Not only does this promise to be a fun show for all ages, but it also will be one of HMHS’ biggest productions yet.
“It’s definitely going to be one of HMHS’ standout shows in the past couple of years,” Schwartz said.
“It’s going to be spectacular and nothing like Haddonfield has ever seen before,” Sparrow said.
“We are always so grateful for the support of the community, and we are proud to once again give the members of our community a performance they will not want to miss,” DiDonato said.
HMHS’ “Anything Goes” will be presented on March 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 8. Tickets for evening performances are $10. The matinee price is $7 or $25 for a group of four. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at the high school any time. The senior citizen preview is March 4 at 4 p.m. and is free admittance.
