[NEohioPAL] REVIEW: Anything Goes @ Baldwin Wallace University

[Laura Kennelly]

Anything Goes @ Baldwin Wallace University,  Nov. 8--Nov. 19

Review by Laura Kennelly

It’s light, it’s frothy, there’s lots of dancing, and tons of amazing young
talent. What’s not to like? Anything Goes, the sprightly classic now
onstage at Baldwin Wallace University’s John Patrick Theatre (in Kleist
Auditorium) features music and lyrics by Cole Porter (with book by Guy
Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse).

Age becomes it. Anything Goes first appeared in 1934, but it dances right
into (and over) today’s concerns (celebrity, the Stock Market, crime,
churches, social status). Directed by Jim Beaudry, choreographed by Gregory
Daniels with music direction by Beth Burrier, over two dozen tuneful actors
(some no doubt destined for Broadway like so many BW alums) prance, dance,
and generally dazzle.

It all begins with a sea voyage (as does many a good tale). In the 1930s,
if you wanted to go to England, you most likely took a huge ocean liner
across the Atlantic. By a series of mischances, the S. S. American sets
sail with some very odd characters indeed. There’s love too. Several “boys”
meet several “girls” as the show progresses and romance wins out (as it
must in a 1930s musical).

The leads are double cast. I saw the “Billy Cast” that featured
velvet-voiced Veronica Otim as nightclub singer Reno Sweeney. Reno gets the
best songs--and Otim (a bit Eartha Kitt, a bit Dorothy Dandridge, and all
Veronica) handled them like a pro: “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the
Top” (a snappy duet with Charlie Ray as the hapless stowaway Billy
Crocker),  “Friendship” (with the delightfully comic Marcus Martin as
master criminal Moonface), and “Anything Goes” (with the whole chorus).

But dancing takes precedence in this toe-tapping musical and rhythmic feet
moving across the stage with precision and grace make bring real joy. It’s
a first-rate show (and I won’t even say “for a college production” because
the set by scenic designer Jeff Herrmann and assistant Rose Musto has a
professional vibe).

Bottom Line: Lots of beautiful dancing, most at a dizzying rate, great
young voices singing classic songs--go if you can.

There are shows November 15 to 18 at 7:30 pm. and a 2 p.m. show Nov. 19.
For tickets go to https://www.bw.edu/events/2017/fall/11-11-Anything-Goes
or call the box office at 440-26-2240.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20171112/54de80f7/attachment.html>