Absolutely Ridiculous, So Don’t Miss It
Theater: ‘Anything Goes’ – Marsden Epworth
June, 17, 2010
Anyone whose blood doesn’t simmer at the sight and sound of 20 or so glittery, loose, droll young men and women tap dancing in a tight space to Cole Porter songs can skip “Anything Goes” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, NY.
Anyone with a heartbeat, though, will love it.
Sure, the plot is lame.Well, it’s more than lame. It’s nearly moribund, except when it’s inexplicable. But these vaudeville characters armed with slow burns, cool moves and big pipes can carry us over any silliness in the script. Besides, this silliness comes from P.G. Wodehouse with Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. And it’s accompanied by some of the cleverest and loveliest pop songs ever written: “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick out of You,” “All Through the Night,” and, of course, “Anything Goes.”
This bit of froth takes place on an ocean liner full of characters cruising between New York and London. There’s Moonface Martin (Kevin Kelley), known as Public Enemy #13 — and ashamed his ranking is so high; The Purser (Ryan Vandenboom) who taps like a champ; Sir Evelyn Oakleigh (Kevin Gardner), a Brit whose sexual status is questioned by all, even by him; and, finally, the great Reno Sweeney (Karla Shook), the evangelist-turned-nightclub singer. Bursting with sequins and double entendres, this character (played first in 1934 by Ethel Merman and recently by Patti Lupone) carries what’s left of the show. She is accompanied by the four fallen angels: Chastity, Charity, Purity and Virtue (Cori Cable Kidder, Brittany Weir, Amelia Millar and Kellyn Uhl) who play these naughty girls with deadpan aplomb.
What makes the show work so well is the pace, the choreography and the direction, and that means Kelly Shook (Karla’s sister). She gives the show the hilarity and footwork to make it all a delightful dream.
A silly dream, yes. But one with great dancing, terrific music and grand performers.
© Copyright 2010 by TCExtra.com
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