Rehearsals are in full swing for Drayton Entertainment’s production of Cole Porter’s classic Broadway showstopper, Anything Goes.
This musical adventure on the high seas sets sail at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse from May 11 to 29.
Anything Goes is set aboard the S.S. American, a swanky ocean liner overflowing with wealthy aristocrats, singing sailors, a lovelorn Wall Street broker, a goofy gangster disguised as a priest, irresistibly quirky showgirls, and a dynamic former evangelist turned nightclub singer.
On the voyage from New York to London in 1934, stowaway Billy Crocker hopes to win back the heart of heiress Hope Harcourt, who is about to marry the very wealthy Englishman, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.
Billy enlists the aid of some unlikely allies – his old friend, the brassy-but-lovable Reno Sweeney, and the FBI’s Public Enemy #13 Moonface Martin. Together, they scheme to help Billy get his girl – with a boatload of comic twists and turns (and new romances) along the way.
This nautical romantic comedy is filled with dance numbers, laughs and many of Cole Porter’s greatest songs including You’re The Top, I Get A Kick Out of You, It’s De-Lovely, Blow, Gabriel, Blow and, of course, the famous title song.
“Anything Goes is a shining example of musical comedy at its best,” said Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment in a press release.
Director and choreographer Michael Lichtefeld returns to the helm after his successful productions of The Music Man and White Christmas last season. Lichtefeld is joined by music director Jeannie Wyse, set designer Douglas Paraschuk, costume designer Rachel Berchtold and lighting designer Simon Day.
Jayme Armstrong takes the role of leading lady Reno Sweeney, the popular singer with a big personality and an even bigger voice.
Armstrong has appeared in numerous Drayton Entertainment productions, most recently Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago, The Music Man, and White Christmas.
Anything Goes remains one of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time and continues to be performed at theatres around the world.
Regular performance tickets are $44 for adults; $26 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for preview performances scheduled before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $36. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Anything Goes runs May 11 to May 29.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, online at www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com or by calling the box office at 519-747-7788 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
