©The Vero Beach Press Journal March 5, 2003 Riverside's 'Anything Goes' is Free-spirited Romp on the High Seas By Brian Bixler
There's a running gag in Riverside Theatre's production of the Cole Porter musical "Anything Goes," that has one of the characters, Moonface Martin, announcing, "There's something wrong here," each time he is outsmarted. But for the audience, there's something very right here. This excellent production is a free-wheeling, frivolous trifle that floats along on a sea of Porter's best-known compositions. In addition to the title song, the 1934 musical contains the standards "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top" and "It's De-lovely." "Anything Goes" is an appropriate title for this madcap musical that brings together disparate characters — from an evangelical singer to gangsters and English nobility — aboard a ship bound for England from America. The show's title should also alert the audience to be prepared for anything, including remnants of "the biggest seagull" you ever saw. Marcia Milgrom Dodge, also the show's choreographer, keeps the 2 1/2-hour show sailing smoothly along with exciting tap-dancing production numbers, running gags, and enough bells and whistles to complement a very funny book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, later amended by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. The show is an old-fashioned musical about falling in love, where characters break into song at the drop of a hat. It's also a reminder of how timeless art can be, showcasing Porter's genius as a lyricist, and proving that humor has no expiration date. The writers' silly situations still provide plenty of laughs after nearly seven decades. But even the best material can fail in the wrong hands. Fortunately, Dodge's cast is a capable group of experienced actors, none of whom strike a sour note in presenting Porter's signature numbers. Heading the cast is red-haired Ruth Gottschall, who brings to mind Carol Burnett in her portrayal of Reno Sweeney, a role originated on Broadway by the late Ethel Merman. Gottschall has a face for comedy, and her powerful voice, put to good use in a particularly rousing "Blow, Gabriel Blow," sets the bar for the rest of the cast. Leading man Michael Gruber is perfectly cast as the smitten broker Billy Crocker, who pursues a young, out-of-his-league debutante. Gruber adopts the voice of a 1930s crooner that is well-suited for Porter's classic melodies. A triple threat, he also acts and dances his way through the part, elegantly executing a soft shoe routine while singing "Easy to Love." Tom Beckett gets off to a slow start as Moonface Martin, but when he finally hits his stride, he earns the largest share of laughs, especially in a scene where the dimwitted gangster is forced to think on his feet to dispose of a dog that mustn't be seen by one of the ship's passengers. It's easily the most hilarious moment in the show. Playing Moonface's moll, Jeanna Marie Schweppe proves to be more than set decoration as sexpot blonde Erma when she sings "Buddie, Beware." Wynn Harmon has several winning moments as Lord Oakleigh and breaks out near the end of the second act with "The Gypsy in Me," that includes tango and flamenco-inspired choreography. Natalie Cortez provides beautiful vocals to her duets with Gruber and shines solo with the song "Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye," and Jarlath Conroy lends strong comic support to the production as prominent businessman Elisha Whitney. Dodge's choreography succeeds in recalling the elegance of 1930s movie musicals with exciting tap dancing and some cheek-to-cheek waltzing. A seven-member orchestra, with featured trumpet player Russell Carfagno, does justice to Porter's famous score, and scenic designer Allen Moyer's representational, porthole-peppered set will make you feel like one of the ship's passengers. Bon voyage. main Anything Goes 2003 page

©The Vero Beach Press Journal
March 5, 2003

Riverside's 'Anything Goes' is Free-spirited
Romp on the High Seas
By Brian Bixler

There's a running gag in Riverside Theatre's production of the Cole Porter musical "Anything Goes," that has one of the characters, Moonface Martin, announcing, "There's something wrong here," each time he is outsmarted.

But for the audience, there's something very right here.

This excellent production is a free-wheeling, frivolous trifle that floats along on a sea of Porter's best-known compositions. In addition to the title song, the 1934 musical contains the standards "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top" and "It's De-lovely."

"Anything Goes" is an appropriate title for this madcap musical that brings together disparate characters — from an evangelical singer to gangsters and English nobility — aboard a ship bound for England from America. The show's title should also alert the audience to be prepared for anything, including remnants of "the biggest seagull" you ever saw.

Marcia Milgrom Dodge, also the show's choreographer, keeps the 2 1/2-hour show sailing smoothly along with exciting tap-dancing production numbers, running gags, and enough bells and whistles to complement a very funny book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, later amended by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman.

The show is an old-fashioned musical about falling in love, where characters break into song at the drop of a hat. It's also a reminder of how timeless art can be, showcasing Porter's genius as a lyricist, and proving that humor has no expiration date. The writers' silly situations still provide plenty of laughs after nearly seven decades.

But even the best material can fail in the wrong hands. Fortunately, Dodge's cast is a capable group of experienced actors, none of whom strike a sour note in presenting Porter's signature numbers.

Heading the cast is red-haired Ruth Gottschall, who brings to mind Carol Burnett in her portrayal of Reno Sweeney, a role originated on Broadway by the late Ethel Merman. Gottschall has a face for comedy, and her powerful voice, put to good use in a particularly rousing "Blow, Gabriel Blow," sets the bar for the rest of the cast.

Leading man Michael Gruber is perfectly cast as the smitten broker Billy Crocker, who pursues a young, out-of-his-league debutante. Gruber adopts the voice of a 1930s crooner that is well-suited for Porter's classic melodies. A triple threat, he also acts and dances his way through the part, elegantly executing a soft shoe routine while singing "Easy to Love."

Tom Beckett gets off to a slow start as Moonface Martin, but when he finally hits his stride, he earns the largest share of laughs, especially in a scene where the dimwitted gangster is forced to think on his feet to dispose of a dog that mustn't be seen by one of the ship's passengers. It's easily the most hilarious moment in the show.

Playing Moonface's moll, Jeanna Marie Schweppe proves to be more than set decoration as sexpot blonde Erma when she sings "Buddie, Beware." Wynn Harmon has several winning moments as Lord Oakleigh and breaks out near the end of the second act with "The Gypsy in Me," that includes tango and flamenco-inspired choreography.

Natalie Cortez provides beautiful vocals to her duets with Gruber and shines solo with the song "Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye," and Jarlath Conroy lends strong comic support to the production as prominent businessman Elisha Whitney.

Dodge's choreography succeeds in recalling the elegance of 1930s movie musicals with exciting tap dancing and some cheek-to-cheek waltzing. A seven-member orchestra, with featured trumpet player Russell Carfagno, does justice to Porter's famous score, and scenic designer Allen Moyer's representational, porthole-peppered set will make you feel like one of the ship's passengers.

Bon voyage.

main Anything Goes 2003 page