The Players Theatre Company Presents Anything Goes
Set in 1934 to the playful, toe-tapping tunes of songmaster Cole Porter, “Anything Goes” is a musical full of fun that asks us to toss our fears aside and live our lives to their richest and fullest. The majority of the show is set aboard the S.S. American on a voyage from New York to London with a cast of characters who are ready to embrace adventure and love on the high seas with comedic twists, madcap hijinks and boundless joy!
Leading man BIlly Crocker is a young, Wall Street assistant who has sneaked onboard to be near his love interest – debutante Hope Harcourt. Despite the fact that Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh – also onboard the ship – Billy is determined to win her over with the help of the ship’s entertainment nightclub star, Reno Sweeney, and fellow stowaways and partners in crime–literally– Moonface Martin and Erma. What ensues is a trail of elaborate disguises, tap-dancing sailors and good old-fashioned blackmail, all in the efforts to help Billy in his quest to win Hope’s heart.
Leading off the cast is David McKnight, recently seen in The Player’s production of Sweeney Todd as Anthony, who will play the role of hopeless romantic Billy Crocker. Isabelle Flanery, recently seen in Imagination Theater’s Chicago production, will reprise the role of Hope Harcourt after playing the same role in CYT’s 2016 season. Laurelyn Jankowski (Mary Poppins in CCT’s August 2022 production of Mary Poppins) will play charismatic singer Reno Sweeney, and Jonathon Duttweiler (recently cast as Georges in The Player’s La Cage Aux Folles) takes on the stuffy British Lord Evelyn Oakleigh and Hope’s reticent fiancé. Also known as Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin will be played by Mark Doreza (also in The Player’s La Cage Aux Folles as Albin) and his sidekick Erma will be taken on by CYT veteran Jordyn Arnold.
Rounding out this stellar cast is a production team with an impressive list of credits all on their own. Josh Marchant is a longtime actor and director in the Montgomery County area who takes the lead as Director for Anything Goes alongside 20-year theater veteran Shari Wojta as Assistant Director and Stage Manager Edi Ottosen. Mieka Phillips brings her vast choreographic talents to this show, and Veronica Amandola’s vocal finesse as musical director is the final piece of the puzzle for this perfect team.
Audiences are encouraged to dress in 1930s clothing, as they are in for a treat from the moment they walk into the Owen Theater and have an immersive experience as a bystander of this delightful romp of a show. Anything Goes will run from Sept. 8 – 24 at the Owen Theater. Tickets are on sale now at owentheatre.com or call the box office at 936-539-4090.