'Anything Goes' Has A Backstory To The Story
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
According to Tony Humrichouser, director of the musical for Wagon Wheel Theatre, the authors of the show were working on the story with Indiana native Cole Porter. The story was supposed to be about a cruise ship during a catastrophe. But two weeks before the show was set to premiere, a cruise ship did sink off the coast of New Jersey.
The writers went back and rewrote a story about what happened to a group of passengers on a cruise ship - without the catastrophe. As the deadline for the musical neared, the writers took an "anything goes" attitude to get the 1930s musical finished.
The passengers include Billy Crocker, a stockbroker's assistant; Reno Sweeney, an evangelizing night club singer; Hope Harcourt, who Crocker loves, on her way to England to marry a stuffy British nobleman, Lord Evelyn; Moonface Martin, a gangster disguised as a minister, and his partner's girlfriend, Erma, who's running from the law.
"These are really great stock characters," said Humrichouser.
Long-time Wagon Wheel Theatre-goers may remember that "Anything Goes" was last seen on the stage in 1994, directed by Artistic Director Roy Hine. For this year's production, Humrichouser said the theater not only let him direct the show, but also picked the 1962 revival.
Andy Robinson plays Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in "Anything Goes." He said the people who wrote the book for the show routinely wrote for Hollywood. The orchestra plays like a 1930s-1940s jazz lounge for the show. "This is really definitive of the time," Robinson said.
The show also makes fun of characters who were well-known at that time. While younger audiences may not be as familiar with that era, the show still holds true today, Robinson said.
Humrichouser said one thing that is different from shows today and back in Cole Porter's era is how the shows are written. "I don't think we really write for personalities anymore," he said.
But many of the songs in "Anything Goes" are still recognizable today. Humrichouser said Porter was a true sophisticate. His word play was unreal, and was full of double meanings and innuendo. His songs, like "It's De-Lovely," "Anything Goes" or "Let's Misbehave," contain really good melodies and/or rhymes. Porter's music also may contain references to big names or events of his time, like his rival Irving Berlin.
"I think 'Anything Goes' is probably the perfect summer show," said Humrichouser. For 2-1/2 hours, audiences can just sit back and enjoy the show. He said they may not know what the show is about, but it'll be really good anyway.
"I think Cole Porter is a genius," said Humrichouser. "He's brilliant."
The cast for Wagon Wheel's production of "Anything Goes" is just as brilliant, Humrichouser said.
"Honestly," he said, "it's a dream cast. Everyone is cast perfectly across the board."
He said they have been easy to work with, take direction very well and have infectious energy.
Robinson said this season at the Wagon Wheel has offered shows from across the decades. For the 1960s, there was the opening show "Cabaret," "Grease" for the 1970s, "Big, the Musical" for contemporary times and "Anything Goes" for those over 50.
DePuy is sponsoring "Anything Goes" at the Wagon Wheel. The show started Wednesday and runs for 11 performances through July 28.
Evening performances are at 8 p.m., except tonight and Tuesday at 7 p.m. Matinees are Sunday and July 26 at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices are: adults, $30; students over 13 years old, $16; students under 12, $12. The special senior price of $22 is available on opening night and matinees.[[In-content Ad]]
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According to Tony Humrichouser, director of the musical for Wagon Wheel Theatre, the authors of the show were working on the story with Indiana native Cole Porter. The story was supposed to be about a cruise ship during a catastrophe. But two weeks before the show was set to premiere, a cruise ship did sink off the coast of New Jersey.
The writers went back and rewrote a story about what happened to a group of passengers on a cruise ship - without the catastrophe. As the deadline for the musical neared, the writers took an "anything goes" attitude to get the 1930s musical finished.
The passengers include Billy Crocker, a stockbroker's assistant; Reno Sweeney, an evangelizing night club singer; Hope Harcourt, who Crocker loves, on her way to England to marry a stuffy British nobleman, Lord Evelyn; Moonface Martin, a gangster disguised as a minister, and his partner's girlfriend, Erma, who's running from the law.
"These are really great stock characters," said Humrichouser.
Long-time Wagon Wheel Theatre-goers may remember that "Anything Goes" was last seen on the stage in 1994, directed by Artistic Director Roy Hine. For this year's production, Humrichouser said the theater not only let him direct the show, but also picked the 1962 revival.
Andy Robinson plays Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in "Anything Goes." He said the people who wrote the book for the show routinely wrote for Hollywood. The orchestra plays like a 1930s-1940s jazz lounge for the show. "This is really definitive of the time," Robinson said.
The show also makes fun of characters who were well-known at that time. While younger audiences may not be as familiar with that era, the show still holds true today, Robinson said.
Humrichouser said one thing that is different from shows today and back in Cole Porter's era is how the shows are written. "I don't think we really write for personalities anymore," he said.
But many of the songs in "Anything Goes" are still recognizable today. Humrichouser said Porter was a true sophisticate. His word play was unreal, and was full of double meanings and innuendo. His songs, like "It's De-Lovely," "Anything Goes" or "Let's Misbehave," contain really good melodies and/or rhymes. Porter's music also may contain references to big names or events of his time, like his rival Irving Berlin.
"I think 'Anything Goes' is probably the perfect summer show," said Humrichouser. For 2-1/2 hours, audiences can just sit back and enjoy the show. He said they may not know what the show is about, but it'll be really good anyway.
"I think Cole Porter is a genius," said Humrichouser. "He's brilliant."
The cast for Wagon Wheel's production of "Anything Goes" is just as brilliant, Humrichouser said.
"Honestly," he said, "it's a dream cast. Everyone is cast perfectly across the board."
He said they have been easy to work with, take direction very well and have infectious energy.
Robinson said this season at the Wagon Wheel has offered shows from across the decades. For the 1960s, there was the opening show "Cabaret," "Grease" for the 1970s, "Big, the Musical" for contemporary times and "Anything Goes" for those over 50.
DePuy is sponsoring "Anything Goes" at the Wagon Wheel. The show started Wednesday and runs for 11 performances through July 28.
Evening performances are at 8 p.m., except tonight and Tuesday at 7 p.m. Matinees are Sunday and July 26 at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices are: adults, $30; students over 13 years old, $16; students under 12, $12. The special senior price of $22 is available on opening night and matinees.[[In-content Ad]]
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