Take a musical score by one of America’s greatest songwriters, add a comedic love story and set it all on an ocean liner sailing the seas. What you have is the recipe for a timeless Broadway musical – and the next offering in the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series at the State University of New York at Fredonia.
The Department of Theatre and Dance, in association with the School of Music, will present six performances of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” from April 5 to 13 in Marvel Theatre. Dates and performance times are April 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m., April 7 at 2 p.m. and April 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available through the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501 and online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets.
Director Paul W. Mockovak, a member of the Theatre and Dance faculty, described “Anything Goes” as “one of those almost timeless classics that embodies a lot of qualities of musical theatre that allows for the audience to ‘escape some world weariness’ for a while and enjoy a respite from responsibilities.”
“While some of the shows themes can resonate today, it is cloaked in some great songs with music and the typical mischievous lyrics of Cole Porter, crooned by an amazing cast and some happy hoofing as well,” he said.
Set aboard the ocean liner S.S. American, “Anything Goes” follows stowaway Billy Crocker as he attempts to win the heart of heiress Hope Harcourt. Complicating matters is the fact Harcourt is engaged to marry Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Billy is aided in his quest by nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Moonface Martin, a second-rate gangster proud to be dubbed Public Enemy #13.
Popular musical numbers include “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “All Through the Night.”
In addition to the story, the songs and the dances, Mockovak said the design components play a major role in bringing the Mainstage production to life.
“The design team is bringing its A game to the production,” the director said. “Alyssa Divers has designed a fantastic set that makes the setting almost a character in itself. Amanda Hansen has captured the essence of the characters and the spirit of the production with her costume design and (faculty member) Todd Proffitt’s lighting will enhance our efforts. The cast is working hard and in truth I find every rehearsal session a joy.”
The large scale Mainstage set represents both the internal and external areas of the S.S. American as it crosses the Atlantic Ocean from New York City to England.
“The levels associated with the ship are brought to life on the Marvel stage in beautiful fashion,” Mockovak said. “In addition, part of our concept is to have the pit orchestra on the second level as a nod to the many onboard musicians and bands, so (musical director) Dr. Rob Deemer will be up top the entire time to round out the visual picture.”
About 115 students are involved in this production, including a cast of 25 and an orchestra of 12 musicians.
“My great hope is that the audience is entertained and engaged - but engaged by being able to sit back, relax, and enjoy as opposed to leaning forward to focus,” Mockovak said. “I hope they leave smiling, humming the title song and tapping their toes a bit as well.”
“Anything Goes” is presented as part of the 2018-19 Lake Shore Savings Season at Rockefeller Arts Center. It is presented through special arrangement with Tams-Witmark. In addition to words and music by Cole Porter, it features a book by P.G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsey and Russel Crouse.
