Anything Goes has a long history on Broadway, first opening in 1934, starring Ethel Merman, followed by revivals in 1987, starring Patti LuPone, and in 2011, starring Sutton Foster. Centered around the songs of Cole Porter, it is the classic golden age musical story of finding the happily-ever-after through a series of antics, mishaps, and comedic happenstance. The book of Anything Goes is based on the true life of a Broadway producer, who happened to live on a cruise ship in the 1930s where he enjoyed his lavish lifestyle free of the burden of income taxes. The opulent setting of the cruise ship provides the perfect playground for all kinds of fun, romance, and schemes, really anything a writer could think of. In fact, the show got its name after one producer of the show, in a particularly frustrating production meeting, threw up his hands and said, “from now on with this show, anything goes.”
This production is quite different from the last two we’ve presented at CB West. It is a feel-good, song-and-dance, musical extravaganza, one that provides a lovely escape for two and a half hours. These musicals are important, too. They don’t so much hold a mirror up to society as they give us the opportunity to laugh at the absurdity of human nature and get caught up in a simpler, happily-ever-after version of our world. Anything Goes embraces all the romance, humor, beauty, and dreaminess of an old Hollywood musical, and we have had a blast putting it together.
To say I adore the students of the Harlequin Club is an understatement. To watch them fully commit to a show like Rent and then turn around and do the same with Anything Goes is mind-blowing. They were so powerful as an ensemble in Rent that I almost forgot how talented they are as comedic actors and dancers as well. I am delighted by how much they embrace the old classics as much as dramatic, contemporary works and I know they will easily win the hearts of the audiences again.
It’s been a de-lovely time with the Harlequin Club once again. Endless thanks to my creative team: Phoenix, Cheri, Sonja, Ava, Suzanne, and Sharon. Your collaboration, creativity, and camaraderie make every show such a pleasure. Thanks to my incredible student officers: Anna Shea, Garrett, Griffan, Ella, Gia, Jackson, Anna, Evan, Katie, Molly, Leo, and Sammy, for your maturity (most of the time), humor (whether I want it or not), and never-ending positivity (you are my hope for the future). I hope you all know just how impressed I am by your work ethic and individual contributions to this show and everything this club accomplished this year. A huge special thank you to Sammy Herb, our incredible student production stage manager, who takes on running the entire show (calling hundreds of cues each performance), on top of designing and painting much of the set. And they do this with a smile on their face, and a simple “it’s fun” as a response to the endless accolades they deserve.
The cast, crew, and creative team hope you leave this performance with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. It’s a simple wish, but the power of joy and hopefulness is infectious, and we hope to give that to you with this performance of Anything Goes.
~Jessica Bostock, Director/Choreographer
