Grand romance on the high seas, the music of Cole Porter and the lure of the ballroom dance. This is a really great combination for a stage presentation and it opens at the Reiland Fine Arts Center this evening at 7:30. An opening appetizer social at the 6:15 p.m. reception today kicks off this year's theater performances. "Anything Goes" runs Friday and Saturday and starts at 7:30 p.m. each day.
Tickets are available at the box-office in room 130 of the Reiland Center between 3 and 6 p.m. daily. Season tickets are available for $25 for all four performances by calling 252-3467, ext. 2435.
Mike McIntyre is director, while Rick Walentine conducts the musical selections. Sue Anderson is choreographer along with students Serena Christianson and Rachael Braff. Jacqueline Mangnall and Kristi Skinner helped with costumes.
Fred Astaire will not be there but his moves and steps will be. Jamestown College's theater department is presenting a Big Band dance-musical and tap dancing that will help convey that swing and sway of the 1930s era.
The cast includes the oceanliner's stowaway, Billy Crocker, who, while hiding on the S.S. American, as it left New York, is pursuing his dream girl, Hope Harcourt. Unfortunately, she is engaged to British Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. A not-so-typical love triangle ensues while the ship sails towards its London destination. Crocker gets help from two of his friends, public enemy No. 1: Moonface Martin and Reno Sweeney, who assist their buddy, Billy, with "close encounters" with the woman of his dreams.
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In addition to these five main characters and their family members, there are "angels" who hold allegiance to Reno, as well as Bonnie and Erma who are the gangster Moonface's "sidekicks." It's a musical with much dancing, and a romantic comedy as well.
The music alone will fill your sails. Some of the tunes include Porter's "It's Delovely," "Anything Goes," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "You're the Top" and "I Get a Kick Out of You."
The cast includes Murika Bauer, Jessee Boyle, Brandon Bodien, Morgan Bossman, Rachael Braff, W. Logan Caldwell, Tori Eichelberger, Austin Fitterer, Amy Frederikson, Karl Haataja, Bob Heinzen, David Kusterman, Jon Mangnall, Nick Maloney, Tony McIntyre, Kelsey Rasmunson and Andrew Ronan.
Most players agree this year's musical is fun to perform. As is usual for any group of performers, while rehearsing sometimes around the clock, they build a family-like closeness that lingers long after the musical or play has struck set.
Music and lyrics are by Cole Porter, and the musical is based on the book by Guy Bolton. Productions on and off Broadway include six interpretations from 1934 to 2008. "Anything Goes" is a popular choice for school and community productions because it is full of light-hearted humor and much action. Those attending this weekend will label it as one of their favorites.
If you have an item for this column, send to Sharon Cox, PO Box 1559, Jamestown, ND 58402-1559.
