Play Review

On ---date-------, I ---name-----went to go see a play performed by group------+theater. The play was titled Anything Goes. Anything Goes is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The "book" was a joint effort by Russel Crouse, Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsay and P.G. Wodehouse. Anything Goes was first envisioned by producer Vinton Freedley while hiding out aboard a fishing boat in the Gulf of Panama after leaving the country to escape creditors. His idea was based on the concept of an ocean liner facing the threat of a possible shipwreck. He returned to New York and, after paying off his debts, and began assembling his dream team. Members added their own little quirks for this play. Thus, making the characters seem a little "out-landish" yet still realistic.

This plays' true first opening night took place November 21, 1934 at the Alvin Theater, now known as the Neil Simon Theater on Broadway. This play turned out to be the fourth longest running musical of the 30's.Over Seventy years later this play stills holds up to the challenges amongst all plays. Unfortunately before that night, I knew very little about this play. To my surprise, this performance was quite amazing. The plot, the characters, and the stage presence all worked beautifully hand in hand.

This play takes place aboard a ship The S.S. American, sailing from New York to England. The characters aboard are quite an unusual group of passengers. They all intertwine in some shape or form. The actors beautifully launch each character presented. Included amongst them are a wealthy debutante and her mother (Hope and Evangeline Harcourt), gangster (Moonface Martin), a nightclub singer (Reno Sweeny), and a wealthy New York businessman and his stowaway assistants (Elisha Witney and Billy Crocker). What a cargo of colourful characters. Millionaires, gangsters, stowaways, a beautiful debutante and a raunchy evangelist. An array of mismatched lovers and mistaken identities.

Anything Goes is a Cole Porter musical. Porter is well known for his witty song lyrics and clever wordings. The story keeps the audience glued to the stage while hilarious comments bring smiles and laughter to everyone of all ages in the audience.

For those who have not been fortunate enough to experience this play, a brief summary is in order. The play starts off with Reverend Dr. Moon. The FBI has branded him "Public Sweeney" so he flees aboard this ship called The S.S.American. Seconds before stepping off a boat set for England with his boss on board, Billy sees a woman who he immediately falls in love with, Hope only to learn that she is to be married once the boat reaches England. He decides to abandon his work and follow his heart on board the cruise ship. An evangelist turned bar hostess, gets such a kick out of Billy Crocker that she boards the Europe-bound liner to steer him away from pursuing Hope Harcourt. Her mother accompanies Hope on the cruise, Evangeline, and is determined to marry Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, a wealthy Englishman. Billy Crocker, who festers in