Anything Goes

      The S.S. American has set sail on Broadway once more with Captain Sutton Foster in the role of Reno Sweeney and despite what you're told at It's a Small World, this is the happiest cruise that ever sailed. What makes it the happiest cruise begins with those toe tapping songs by Cole Porter. These are some of the most tuneful catchy songs that were ever created for the Broadway stage. The lyrics are so clever and witty and the melodies just soar.

    As Reno Sweeney Sutton Foster is a complete revelation. There is a reason that she won a Tony Award for her performance. Her Reno is much different than say, Patti LuPone or Ethel Merman, but it's a whole and complete character. From the way she walks and talks to the way she sings, Sutton Foster is all Reno.

    The supporting cast is quite wonderful as well. Colin Donnel as Billy Crocker is handsome, playful, and funny. His voice suits the character well and his renditions of Delovely and Easy to love will make you melt. Adam Godley turns in a surprisingly hysterical performance as Lord Evelyn Oakley. As hope Harcourt Laura Osnes is everything you would want in a leading soprano without being the slightest bit bland or boring, Kelly Bishop (Tony winning Sheila from A Chorus Line) is extremely funny as Evangeline and her scenes with John McMartin as Elisha Whitney are comedic gold. Jessica Stone is highly effective as lovable vamp Erma and her Buddy Beware in act I is sexy and funny.

  That brings us to Joel Grey as Moonface Martin. I'm not going to say that what he does in the role doesn't work for the character because it does. It's a completely valid portrayal of the character, I just didn't care for it. Joel Grey is an undeniably talented individual and a legend of Broadway theater. In addition to dropping a few lines (I'm sure hardly anyone noticed, it wasn't as bad as Elaine Stritch), It's very hard to believe that this diminutive soft spoken elderly man is public enemy number anything.

 Sutton Foster is undeniably the star of the show, her co-star, is Kathleen Marshall's Tony winning Choreography. It is absolutely jaw dropping. The title song, which closes Act I, is even better on stage that it appears on TV. Reno's Act II number Blow, Gabriel Blow, is always a crowd pleaser, but in this case it is a genuine show stopper (2 full minutes of applause the performance I saw, which in a theater is a long time). The big group numbers are exquisitely choreographed, but it's the small character driven numbers where Ms. Marshall's artistry truly shines. She is able to create character specific choreography that is appropriate for both the moment, and also the style of song and the period in which it's written. Billy and Hope perform a lovely sort of fox trot during Delovely, while Lord Evelyn and Sweeney Tango during Gypsy in Me.

    Overall this revival of Anything Goes is a wonderful diamond in a sea of Broadway rhinestones. It is fun, care free, and will make you smile from the moment the overture starts until you set your head against the pillow that evening. Tickets are currently on sale through January 8th of 2012. If you get to the box office by 9:30 am on the day of the performance you want to see you can get a rush seat for $30 max two per person. It's worth the effort, and the money!