All ashore that’s going ashore! The Boardmore Theatre’s production of the musical comedy, Anything Goes, is about to set sail. Directed by Bruce Cathcart with musical direction under Barb Stetter, the production opens on Tuesday, February 26 at 7 p.m. with a pay what you can performance, and is sure to have audience members of all ages singing in their seats.
“When it comes to choosing the bi-annual musical for the Boardmore Season of Plays, I look for family entertainment with lots of interesting characters, a wonderful musical score and a flexible chorus that can accommodate all those who love to be part of a musical show,” says Director, Bruce Cathcart. “Having seen the 1974 Sydney Rotary Club production of Anything Goes, as well as Breton Education Centre’s High School production in the ’80s, I realized that Anything Goes met all my criteria.”
As the play goes, the S.S. America – a ship of comic fools – embarks for England, Billy Crocker – a stowaway and assistant to mildly unethical business tycoon, Elisha Whitney – begins his quest to win the heart and hand of debutante Hope Harcourt. She, however, feels duty-bound to ensure her family’s financial future by marrying her fiancé and fellow passenger, the older, rich and somewhat lecherous Lord Evelyn Oakleigh
“It’s a cast of zany characters,” says Cathcart. “All passengers on the ocean liner range from a pompous English Lord to a wistful debutante, an evangelical nightclub singer to an unappreciated Public Enemy who can’t seem to climb any higher than #13 on the FBI’s most wanted list. Aided and abetted by the passengers and crew, the principles form various love triangles, undertake a number of false identities, and leave the audience laughing at their antics.”
With music and lyrics by Cole Porter, the audience will have an opportunity to sing along to favourites such as “I Get a Kick Out of You”,”You’re the Top”, “Friendship”, “Anything Goes”, and the exuberant “Blow, Gabriel, Blow”.
The musical ship leaves port on Tuesday, February 26 and the voyage continues until Sunday, March 3. For a complete schedule visit cbu.ca/boardmore.
The CBU Boardmore Playhouse box office is open the week prior to and the week during the performances from 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before each show. Admission is $12 for general, $8 for students and seniors, and $6 for CBU students.
