Classic Theatre of Maryland’s production of Anything Goes is a colorful, joyous celebration of music, dance, and acting. Directed and choreographed by Sally Boyett, with musical direction by Maureen Codelka, it brings Cole Porter, Guy Bolton, and P.G. Wodehouse’s classic musical of hijinks on a transatlantic ocean liner to glorious life.
Jeff Gallup gives a determination to Billy Crocker, pursuing a soon-to-be-married woman. He sings passionately of how he feels about Hope (Allison Meyer) in “Easy to Love,” dancing with her and holding her close. In “It’s De-Lovely,” he sings joyfully of her reciprocating, though beginning comically, in drag. “All Through the Night” has him clinging to his love even at his lowest point.
Allison Meyer brings a fearfulness to Hope, torn between her love for Billy and her commitment to marry Evelyn (Noah Pigza). She pulls away from Gallup several times, racing away in tears. Even confronting her mother (Nancy Krebs), she cannot bring herself to say who she really wants.
Camila Aldet plays Reno, Billy’s friend and a nightclub performer, with a charming brashness. Realizing Billy is not interested in her romantically, she sings “I Get a Kick Out of You” with a slight bitterness, still charmed by him despite everything. She cements their friendship in “You’re the Top,” building up Billy’s confidence to pursue Hope. She sings “Friendship” with Moonface (John Pruessner) to great comic effect, starting off sincere in their bond before devolving into seeking the spotlight and quacking at each other.
Reno’s fellow performers Purity (Makenzie Koehne, also Dance Captain), Chastity (Sara Evelina Davis), Charity (Mollie Becker), and Virtue (Katie Van Horn) exude sensuality, grabbing the attention of passengers and sailors. They take the spotlight in “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” a brilliant take on evangelical Christian services with gorgeous outfits and outstanding dancing that prompts several passengers to confess their sins.
Nancy Krebs brings an obsession with money and status as Hope’s mother, Evangeline. Worried that Hope will not marry her fiancé, she arranges for the Captain (Josh Lee) to marry them as soon as possible. Dexter Hamlett plays Eli Whitley, a wealthy businessman and Billy’s employer, as an old college boy, singing Yale fight songs and drinking freely. He pursues Evangeline with great comic effect.
Noah Pigza plays Hope’s fiancé, Evelyn, with excellent comic timing. A British aristocrat, he writes down unusual American phrases while misusing them, telling Moonface he has “hot pants for you.” In “The Gypsy in Me,” he shows his passionate side, waving his smoking jacket like a matador and tangoing with Reno. Adam Lawrence plays the Bishop Henry T. Dobson with great portentousness, admonishing Reno and her performers for their act.
John Pruessner is a hoot as Moonface Martin, a gangster stowaway. Announcing himself, he is surprised when no one recognizes him. Trying to cheer up Billy, he sings an absurd song, “Be Like the Bluebird,” with comic tweets and chirps. Delaney Jackson plays Moonface’s partner Erma Latour with great comic timing, announcing that the sailors are teaching her how to “stoke the coal.” In “Buddy, Beware,” she sings of her needs while hurling the adoring sailors away.
Sean-Edward Varner and Jacob V. Scott bring comic roguishness to Spit and Dippy, formerly under Bishop Dobson’s care. They pick passengers’ pockets and swipe their money in craps games. Josh Lee plays the Captain with comic authority, desperately searching for celebrities to make his ship memorable, while Cyrus Mooney plays the harried Purser, running around the ship solving problems. Joe Love and Hunter McCauley play sailors easily distracted by the beauties on board. Their songs together, “Sailor’s Shanty” and “Public Enemy Number 1,” have excellent harmony, like a barbershop quartet at its finest. “Public Enemy Number 1” stands out especially as a beautifully sung hymn to crime and celebrity.
Scenic Designer Salydon Boyken creates a cruise ship onstage, with life preservers and bunting hanging from railings at the staircases and by the backdrop. Portholes are on the back wall. Costume Designer Sally Boyett and Wig Designer Tommy Malek evoke the 1930s with bright dresses, fur coats, and stoles for the women and striped suits, fedoras, and straw hats for the men. The Captain and Purser look spiffy in their uniforms, while the sailors are workmanlike in theirs. Reno and her showgirls dazzle in their sparkly, frilly dresses.
Lighting Designer Niya John changes the lights to reflect the mood, splashing red across the stage for “The Gypsy in Me.” In “Friendship,” Reno and Moonface fight to get the spotlight on them. Sound Designer William K. D’Eugenio balances the music and the singing while throwing out ocean sounds.
Voice and Dialect Coach Nancy Krebs ensures the several accents used feel authentic while remaining comprehensible to the audience. Music Director Maureen Codelka keeps the music in line with the singing. Sally Boyett and Associate Choreographer Mackenzie Koehne create visual delights by using tap, spins, twirls, kicks, lifts, and rolls in the dance numbers. “Anything Goes” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” are particularly stunning. The performers blend harmoniously in their singing, producing a beautiful sound. They all play well off each other and hit all the right emotional and comic moments. Anything Goes is a romp of a good time and has the audience smiling and laughing throughout. Don’t misbehave and miss it!
Running Time: Two hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
Anything Goes plays through May 18, 2025, at Classic Theatre of Maryland – 1804 West Street, Suite 200, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($61.75–$88.75), call the box office at 410-415-3513, email BoxOffice@classictheatremaryland.org, or purchase online.