Cole Porter’s 1934 zany shipboard musical, "Anything Goes," sets sail at Garden Grove’s Gem Theatre, and this classic transatlantic sea voyage overflows with delightful music from the American songbook, de-lirious madcap comedy and sightgags, de-lectable family entertainment, and it is unquestionably one of the de-loveliest full-scale stage productions of the season.
Cole Porter’s 1934 zany shipboard musical, "Anything Goes," sets sail at Garden Grove’s Gem Theatre, and this classic transatlantic sea voyage overflows with delightful music from the American songbook, de-lirious madcap comedy and sightgags, de-lectable family entertainment, and it is unquestionably one of the de-loveliest full-scale stage productions of the season.
The story itself is goofy, silly, and completely “over-the-top” bonkers most of the time, but that’s also what keeps this hilarious ocean liner adventure afloat and steaming ahead at full throttle.
There’s not a moment that goes by without something to laugh at or smile about, and the visual effects are as enticing as the comedy. Most of the show’s period authenticity comes from Costume Coordinator Larry Watts’ exquisite costumes and award-winning Wally Huntoon’s incredible gleaming white double-decker set design.
One More Production’s Anything Goes is shipshape and first class from bow to stern, and the actors/singers/dancers fill the stage with exuberance and liveliness that leaves the audience breathless.
Cole Porter’s songs sparkle with new energy and a fresh new spirit that brings an “otherwise-could-be-dated” musical to the forefront with buoyancy and charm and pure lasting entertainment.
Adriana Sanchez, who plays a flashy nightclub singer and star, Reno Sweeney, leads the strong cast, and as she belts out the snappy and infamous “Ethel Merman” song-stylings such as “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You,” Sanchez wonderfully and unabashedly adds her own phrasing making these songs come alive while setting a new precedence for a new audience.
With great comedic timing, Alex Bodrero portrays the boyishly charismatic and charming Billy Crocker, and his “De-Lovely” duet with Hope (Megan Davis) is just that – de-lovely, de-licious, and absolutely de-sirable.
The chemistry on stage between Bodrero as Billy and Davis as Hope is charming and believable. At first, Reno believes that Billy is interested in her and she says to him, “You had me thinking you wanted to marry me.” Billy’s reply is, “How could you think that; I’ve always treated you with respect!”
Unquestionably, the most exciting moment is the full company tap dancing title number at the end of Act I. In Act II, the uptight and rather pompous Lord Evelyn Oakleigh’s (Chris Harper) breaks out with “The Gypsy in Me,” and the crowd goes wild.
This is Harper’s “moment,” and he knows how to steal a show. Another stand-out is Nicole Cassesso’s Erma, the fun-loving redhead who gives the seafaring boys a run for their money, and her “Buddie, Beware” number takes the sexy “1930s Carol Lombard comedic style” to the top deck with a flirtatious wiggle and a confident wink.
Under the musical direction of Toni Helms, the band swings exuberantly, featuring Helms on piano, Jeff Segal on percussion, Juan Gracia on drums, Saul Reynoso on trumpet, Kevin Homma on woodwinds, John Zavala on trombone, Stella Monshaw on bass, and Lois Good on violin.
With an eclectic group of characters onboard, fantastic music, and sparkling entertainment, OMP’s Anything Goes is a great place to lay down an anchor for a few hours of laughter and just plain sea-faring fun.
"Anything Goes"
The Gem Theatre
12852 Main St., Garden Grove
Phone: 714-741-9550
wwwonemoreproductions.com
Runs through May 3
