If ever there were a musical any theatre company anywhere in the world could bank on to fill seats and then send the patrons home afterwards in a great mood, Cole Porter's classic "Anything Goes" has to be it. Ever since the musical first opened on Broadway in 1934 after a brief tryout in Boston, this musical has packed houses the world over, and with good reason.
First and foremost, this is Cole Porter, a master craftsman of both music and lyrics, at the absolute peak of his craft. One has only to look at the list of songs that are readily identifiable in their own right besides their inclusion in the show: the title song of course, along with "I Get a Kick Out of You", "You're the Top", "Easy to Love", "Friendship", and "It's De-lovely"all leading the pack and classics all.
After Porter's infamous and tragic fall from a horse at a party, with the horse rolling and crushing his legs, his musical output dwindled over time, but the quality never did. This pre-fall musical romp ranks amongst his finest stage works.
All that music would be for naught if it were not for an exceptional cast and intelligent, sure direction and choreography, and this current offering at the Shaw Festival in NOTL has it all...in spades. Shaw stalwart Kimberley Rampersad takes on the dual role of director and choreographer in this production and knows clearly what she wants. She gets it too, from a cast about as talented as they come, either here in NOTL or anywhere.
Rampersad brings out the best in the cast and presents finely drawn characterizations right across the board, even in areas where in other productions certain characters might well suffer by comparison. No doubt she had the pick of the litter, as it were when it came to casting this show. But it helps of course the talent pool is so strong.
Jeff Irving is spectacular in the pivotal role of Billy Crocker, who has not lost his love for his one-time girlfriend, Hope Harcourt, played here with great feeling by Celeste Catena. Wouldn't you know he finds his way onto the same ship for a voyage with Hope and her very refined mother, Evangeline, who hopes dear Hope will find true love not with part-time young and dashing Crocker but with the wealthy and well-connected Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, who is also on board.
Then there's Michael Therriault as Public Enemy No. 13...Moonface Martin. A small time gangster, he makes it onto the ship as a minister. He makes the most of his time on stage, as he almost always does.
Yes there are mistaken identities and some hurt feelings ensue but in the end, Billy gets his girl. But what of the Lord, played with a lot of style by Allan Louis? Well he finds he has more than a passing interest in firecracker former evangelist-turned-entertainer Reno Sweeney, played by Mary Antonini, who initially had her eye on Billy as well. In the end, couples get paired off correctly and Mama Harcourt seems to accept the unexpected turn of events with her usual grace and refinement.
Musically and stylistically, the show hits the mark on almost all counts. The pit band is sharp, the dancing throughout the show is spot on, especially in the bring-the-house-down finale to the first act, and there is really not much to find fault with here at all.
Design wise the set is aboard ship, as it were, but I think a little more colour in the depiction of the ship might have added to the uplifting tone of the whole show. But it's a minor quibble; overall this is one strong show and a guaranteed winner at the Shaw Festival this season.
If you see only one show this season make it this one. If you see several, please include this one rather than ignore it. You will not leave the theatre disappointed!
"Anything Goes" runs at the Festival Theatre until October 4th and rates a perfect four out of four stars. For tickets and information go to www.shawfest.com.
Enjoy your week!
July 16th, 2025.
