Delightful. Delectable. And de-lovely.
Anything Goes, now playing at Montgomery College’s Summer Dinner Theatre, is a high-energy throwback filled with talented cast members and tremendous choreography.
This production of Cole Porter’s classic — which was originally mounted in 1934 — tells the story of young Billy Crocker, who sneaks aboard a luxury ocean liner to stop the woman he loves, Hope Harcourt, from marrying Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. With help from a wealthy nightclub singer, Reno Sweeney, and gangster Moonface Martin, Billy does his best to stay close to Hope, and after a number of mishaps, gets his girl.
Ann-Marie Poveda and Charles Cobb lead this local performance as Harcourt and Crocker and bring youthful exuberance to this 92-year-old show; they have a warmth and chemistry essential for this production. Ian Brown brings spot-on comedic timing to his Moonface Martin, and Connor Myrna has a definite presence as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Other actors having nice moments in this show include Kaia Koumousteas as Erma LaTour, who shimmers in green in the second act’s “Buddie, Beware.” Young actor Ivy Speck also elevates the production’s madcap comedy through his take on Eli Whitney.
A special shout-out to the technical staff for this 25-person show. Choreographer Connor James Reilly does the heavy lifting here; the musical numbers, including “Anything Goes,” which closes out the first act, are complicated and tremendous. Scenic designer Andrew Cohen, paired with scenic carpenter Jo Fishell and scenic charge Jax Lunsford, has created not just a two-level ship (replete with multiple funnels) but also multiple state rooms (with bracketed windows) fit for the bygone era that this show portrays.
A favorite moment in this production is the first act’s “It’s De-Lovely.” As Billy and Hope climb to the second level of the ship, and as Poveda and Cobb embrace, lighting designer Lynn Joslin frames it all beautifully, and the audience sees not faces but just silhouettes of our two leads.
The wardrobe crew — including high schooler Miriam Mansfield, Ceci Smith, Augusto Garcia, Wren Pedersen, Jules Allen, and Aster Fredly — has a heck of a lot of work to do, with countless costume changes amid this fast-paced performance.
Shepherding it all is DC-area multihyphenate Dylan Arredondo. One hopes this young director — who already has dozens of DMV-area acting credits — continues leaning into this side of his considerable skill set. With a huge cast, a technical leadership team and crew numbering well over 30, and another 13 summer interns, Arredondo has an enormous amount on his plate. Yet the Helen Hayes Award winner, recognized in 2025 for his directing work at Maryland’s Flying V, integrates it all seamlessly.
This is a show with a storied history; the 1934 production, mounted on Broadway before the Tony Awards were established, was regarded as a major success, including a star turn for the legendary Ethel Merman. The 1987 revival, from which this local production is based, tightened the show and was nominated for 10 Tonys (winning three). The 2011 remount, with current Broadway leading lady Sutton Foster, received nine nominations and won three (including Best Actress for Foster).
It is that history, paired with the quality of this local production, that helps explain why tickets for this local production are going fast; this summer dinner theater, now in its 49th year, reminds you of the wealth of riches the DMV-area arts community maintains. It’s technically excellent, filled with young talent, and a sweet throwback to a bygone era.
Running Time: Two and a half hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
Anything Goes plays through August 2, 2026, presented by Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre performing at Montgomery College, Theatre Arts Building, Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD. Tickets ($10–$25 for seniors; $10–$30 for adults; $10 for students; $75 with buffet dinner) are available online.
