Anything Goes! July 20 -28 5 shows 2 Weekends
Westfield Summer Stage celebrates 12 years of summer musicals with the classic Cole Porter musical comedy ANYTHING GOES , which taps its way to the Westfield High School stage for five performances July 20, 21, 27, 28 at 7:30 pm and July 22 at 2 pm. All performances are at Westfield High School in Chantilly, Virginia. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Seating is reserved. Buy tickets online at www.westfieldtheatreboosters.com
ANYTHING GOES is a saucy and splendid production of Cole Porter’s musical romp across the Atlantic. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course of true love — proving that sometime destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise, and some good old-fashioned blackmail.
Stowaway Billy Crocker ( Colby Dezelick ) is out to win back true love Hope Harcourt ( Rachel Shirley ) from Lord Evelyn Oakleigh ( Joshua Ewalt ), with the help of singer-turned-evangelist Reno Sweeney ( Katelyn Reimer ), wanted gangster Moonface Martin ( Julian Sanchez ), and Moonface’s girlfriend Bonnie Letour ( Corinne Holland ). Along for the ride are a minister ( Jake Ehrlich ) and his shady converts ( Estella Massey, Olivia Witt ), a hapless captain ( Chaz Coffin ) and a harried purser ( Brandon Sanchez ). Peppering this hilariously bumpy ride are some of musical theatre’s most memorable standards, including “You’re the Top,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” and “Anything Goes.”
The show features 56 actors ranging from grades 7 to 12 from more than 15 area schools. The cast also includes recent Class of 2012 graduates.
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ReplyDeleteThe phrase “madcap musical comedy” lifts my spirits like chocolate and a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. Saw the show last night with two friends, Cookie and Wee McPhee. Cookie wants you to see it because it is the last chance for awhile to see Billy (Colbey Dezelick) and Hope Harcourt (Rachel Shirely) dance together. A real life couple, it is like watching Gene Kelly and Lucille Ball in Du Barry was a Lady. Dezelick’s comic timing is masterful proved by audience laughter and applause.
Wee McPhee says Bonnie (Corinne Holland) and Moonface Martin (Julian Sanchez) stole the show. Sight gags, slapstick and loony banter are captivating; add dance and vocals and wowie-wow-wow!
Reno Sweeney (Katelyn Reimer) is the perfect Wodehouse heroine. A tough gal with a tender heart, Katelyn is a petite powerhouse that belts out song after song. The numbers Friendship, Anything Goes and Blow, Gabriel, Blow are show stoppers. She displays a softer, melancholy style in I Get a Kick Out Of You.
Sir Evelyn Oakwood (Joshua Ewalt) is the perfect Wodehouse English gentleman. Sincere, naïve, funny to spite himself, guided by principals, you just want what’s best for the guy. I don’t usually go out of my way to see Centerville High productions, but I heard he has a lead in Cabaret this autumn. I’ll make a point to buy a ticket.
Warning: this 600 plus seat theater sold out twice during last year’s performance of Chicago. Buy your tickets on line and don’t wait until the last night.
Note of irritation: there was sound trouble early in the evening. As there were more than 400 people in the house last night there was bound to be a handful of dunderheads who would not turn off their phones. You could have knocked me over with a feather as I turned my head to see the girl in the sound booth texting. It sent ear splitting crackles through one of the sweetest scenes It’s DeLovely. Cell phone transmissions interfere with wireless microphones. You don’t have to be talking or texting, the phone can do a routine check for updates and Snap, Crackle, Pop! Or dead air and every other sentence is lost. Let your cell phones rest and reboot for two hours. Turn it off or leave it the car.
See you later, Sadie