Chart the maps, draw the anchors, and set the sails because the S.S. American is heading straight for sea in Boca Raton Community High School's production of Anything Goes!
Originally written by Cole Porter in 1934, Anything Goes has long been a favorite of the public, appearing both in the theater and on the big screen in multiple revivals. Set aboard on the S.S. American cruise ship en route to England, the musical tells the story of Billy Crocker, the broken down broker, and his yearn to win back his love, Hope Harcourt from her aristocratic fiancée. Nightclub entertainers, stowaways, and criminals aboard the ship only threaten to drive their relationship asunder.
Billy Crocker, played by Kyle Laing, featured profound, expressive characterization and, coupled with a natural wittiness onstage, created a character that truly encompassed the 1930s era. Hope Harcourt (Vivian Martinez) played off of Laing exceptionally well, personifying her internal conflict of love, while still maintaining her innocence and charm. Reno Sweeney (Danielle Overton), the lively nightclub singer, incorporated stunningly powerful vocals to complement her bold personality. Overton dominated the stage in numbers such as "Blow Gabriel Blow" with vigor and confidence, creating rich stage pictures and dynamic expressions.
Lord Evelyn (Hunter Rothstein), Hope's wealthy, yet clueless fiancée, featured an impeccable English accent and humorous dialogue, especially in his rendition of "The Gypsy in Me." Eli Whitney (Bobby Crawford), Billy's inebriated boss, performed with the formalities common to older, drunken men with ease, creating a very believable character. Public Enemy No. Thirteen, Moonface Martin (Lawrence Richardson), incorporated a believable 1930s dialect, which illustrated his brash characterization and natural stage movements.
The ensemble, which consisted of sailors and entertainers on the ship, effectively portrayed the setting of the show, from incorporating appropriate dialects to introducing individual personalities that accentuated this simplistic era. In all musical numbers that they participated in, the ensemble was completely synchronized and energetic. The pinnacle of their performance, "Anything Goes," with powerful choreography, was phenomenal, the entire cast tapping and singing in unison.
The lighting design succeeded in capturing the mood of every scene, relating certain colors with the distinctive personalities of each character and utilizing spotlights to effectively emphasize certain areas of the stage. Wearing sailor costumes that blended them within each scene, the stage crew seamlessly moved set pieces within seconds. The hair and makeup choices succeeded in distinguishing older characters from younger ones, as well as portraying the styles within this era with success.
Come join this nautical pandemonium at Boca Raton Community High School as they present Anything Goes!
