Anything Goes
at Wakefield High School

Reviewed on May 9, 2015

Kendra Weingast
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

At words poetic, I'm so pathetic
That I always have found it best,
Instead of getting 'em off my chest,
To let 'em rest unexpressed.

But in Wakefield High School's production of Anything Goes, the words of triumph are anything but left unsaid. The side-splitting show by Cole Porter with Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, originally produced at Lincoln Center in New York City, has docked with the Wakefield Players portraying some of the most recognizable characters in theatre history. Any audience member will get a kick out of the show!

Narrated by Reno Sweeney, Billy Crocker's courtship of already-engaged Hope Harcourt is extremely funny. Billy tries to dodge his boss, Elisha Whitney, and ends up getting affiliated with and identified as a gangster. Sir Evelyn, Hope's fiancé, comes to a revelation about his heritage and falls in love with Reno. Meanwhile, the seductive and hilarious Erma jumps in and out of the plot - and in and out of the sailors' beds.

Asa Meyer, as Reno Sweeney, grounded the show, especially during her big number songs like "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" and "Anything Goes." At times, she served as an objective narrator to the main plot. Billy Crocker, portrayed by Jack Cackley, was genuine in his emotions and never looking strained. Retta Laumann, as Hope Harcourt, sang angelically, hitting high notes with ease, lamenting her love for Billy with heartbreaking sadness.

Erma (Cara Poythress) and Moonface (Garrett Rinker) absolutely stole the show. Poythress' high intensity dance numbers only accented her sultry personality. She was able to use her sexuality for her own purposes, while showing sharp wit and snappy humor. Garrett Rinker excelled as a comic relief, speeding up slow scenes with his dancing or his giant machine gun. His contagious enthusiasm helped the other actors in his scenes relax and become more comfortable on the stage.

A giant two story ship served as the main set piece for the show. Designed by Jacob Bucks and Sidney Shaharari, the boat accentuated the show. Other set pieces, such as the jail cell door and a night club stage enhanced the scene changes. Makeup, designed by Rafael Lopez, was well done, particularly with the graying hair for both Elishah Whitney and Evangeline Harcourt.

The choreography, designed by Wakefield senior Cara Poythress with help from the Radio City Rockette Jennifer Cordiner, was absolutely amazing. Smaller numbers such as "Be Like the Bluebird" and "Friendship" showcased the dancing skills of the actors. "Anything Goes" featured Cara Poythress in a complex tap number with Rafael Lopez.

Anything Goes at Wakefield High School was an entertaining evening. It is obvious the amount of work the Wakefield Players has put into this production. This show truly embodies the idea that "Anything Goes".

Sophie Welber
Walt Whitman High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

Cruises give people a chance to relax and forget about their troubles. Or do they? When a nightclub performer, a debutante, a stockbroker, Public Enemy Number 13, and other quirky characters meet aboard the SS American in Cole Porter's Anything Goes, hilarity ensues. Originally written by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, Anything Goes has been revived three times since its 1934 debut. Wakefield High School performed the 1987 script, revised by John Weidman and Timothy Crouse.

In Anything Goes, stock-broker Billy Crocker stows away on the SS American in order to chase after Hope Harcourt, the girl he loves who is unfortunately engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Meanwhile, Evelyn himself is falling in love with singer Reno Sweeney, who along with gangster Moonface Martin assists Billy in his escapades.

Billy (Jack Cackley) and Hope (Retta Laumann) showcased adorable chemistry that projected their desire to be together despite the obstacles in their way. Cackley and Laumann impressed with their vocal performances, blending well and maintaining their harmonies throughout duets such as "All Through the Night."

While Billy and Hope were busy sorting out their romantic lives, Moonface Martin (Garrett Rinker) joined with singer Reno Sweeney (Asa Meyer) to help the couple. Rinker's smooth talk and charisma enabled him to steal both another passenger's eyeglasses and the show. His natural reactions, energy, and stage presence stood out, and his jerky ballet movements and comedic timing in "Be Like the Bluebird" had the audience roaring.

Another character with admirable stage presence was Erma, played by Cara Poythress. She brought some much-needed energy to the stage in both her vocal and dance numbers. The number "Anything Goes" featured Poythress' dexterity on the dance floor as well as her tap skills.

Rafael Lopez, who played Lord Evelyn, joined Poythress in an impressive tap dancing duet. Throughout the show, Lopez brought comic relief with his incomplete knowledge of American sayings and thick British accent. His solo number "The Gypsy in Me" showcased more of his dancing abilities as well as his vocal dexterity. A true Renaissance man, Lopez was also in charge of make-up design, which looked very natural on stage.

The well-constructed set, designed by Jacob Bucks and Sidney Shaharari, featured details such as rope railings that contributed to the nautical feel. Movable sets rolled on stage easily, allowing the stage crew, led by stage managers Evan Voldal and Jackson Hambridge, to perform rapid, silent scene changes.

The many parts of Wakefield High School's production of Anything Goes combined for a delightful evening of smooth sailing.

Joshua Wisdom
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - ARL/MC/Mont/DC

Grab your passport, luggage, and sea legs and prepare for Wakefield High School's first class production of Anything Goes!

Set on the SS American, this classic 1934 Broadway show tells the story of Billy Crocker, a young and handsome Wall Street broker working for the old Elisha Whitney who is traveling to London for a business deal. When saying farewell to his boss, Billy meets old friend Reno Sweeney, the "evangelist" nightclub singer extraordinaire, who is secretly in love with Crocker. About to leave, Billy sees Hope Harcourt, a young debutante with whom Billy once shared a unexpectedly romantic taxi trip. He stows away on the ship in hopes of winning Hope's heart. However, she is promised to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh to help save her family's failing company. Coincidentally, also aboard the ship is America's Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin, trying to escape justice with his girlfriend, Erma. As always, shenanigans ensue.

With music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Guy Bolten and P.G. Wodehouse, Anything Goes has been immortalized in the Musical Hall of Fame with several productions on and off Broadway including two film versions, starring Bing Crosby, and one live television performance starring Frank Sinatra. Over the years, the musical has racked up over 15 awards and 25 nominations including Best Revival of a Musical in 1987, 2002, and 2011.

At its heart, Anything Goes is a classic Broadway show filled to the brim with strong vocals and difficult tap numbers. Choreographed by Cara Poythress and Jennifer Cordiner, Wakefield High School sated those needs with only a few instances of uncoordinated shuffling. Vocally, the production had two clear standouts: Hope Harcourt, played by Retta Laumann, and Moonface Martin, played by Garrett Rinker. Laumann's voice soared through the busy ship and into the audience with clear technique and beauty. Radiating energy, Garrett Rinker's presence and vocal clarity on stage was undeniable. Every time he appeared, the audience seemed confident that Rinker would deliver entertainment and hilarity. Another comedic member of the cast was Rafael Lopez, who played Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Lopez bro great charm and wit to the role.

A couple icebergs were hit during Wakefield High School's cruise through the seas of Anything Goes. Despite this, the cast and crew created a charming and fun evening of entertainment for all who attended.

Alie Campbell
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to The Wakefield Chieftain

"Good authors, too, who once knew better words, now only use four letter words writing prose-anything goes!" Audiences flocked to Anything Goes' stage in 1934 with Cole Porter's silky lyrics and melodic score. People from all over the world still sing along whenever a Porter song plays, and "Anything Goes" is a hallmark song of musical theatre. The famous musical has been turned into a movie, won numerous awards, and has had multiple revivals including one in 2011 starring Sutton Foster as Reno Sweeney. The musical is widely known for its spoof on dramatic love, its rambunctious dance numbers, and its catchy score. Anything Goes follows a young Wall Street broker, Billy Crocker (Jack Cackley) as he attempts to woo a young debutante, Hope Harcourt (Retta Laumann), who is engaged to be married to a stuffy British nobleman, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Rafael Lopez) on the cruise ship. While this love triangle commences, a famous nightclub singer by the name of Reno Sweeney (Asa Meyer) seems to always be in the middle of things, and ends up falling for Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. The spoof on the classic love triangle was the "fleas knees" or rather, the "rats pajamas" at Wakefield High School's production of Anything Goes.

Leading the show was the one and only Billy Crocker (Jack Cackley) who brought new energy to the production with his sweet and mellifluous baritone voice. His counterpart, Hope Harcourt (Retta Laumann), complemented his vocals with her luscious soprano sound. The two shone in the song "All Through The Night". Bringing the comedic element to the show, Lord Evelyn(Rafael Lopez) was extremely charismatic in his exuberant number, "The Gypsy in Me." Equal to Lopez's frolicsome performance, Moonface Martin (Garrett Rinker) had the audiences begging for more of his facetious personality and slapstick physicality. In his big number, "Be Like the Bluebird," he performed with intense vigor that stood out from the other actors on stage. Reno Sweeney (Asa Meyer), Elisha Whitney (Jacob Bucks), and Erma (Cara Poythress) individualized their characters and were commendable in their performance.

Due to some projection and microphone difficulties, as well as a small but mighty orchestra; many funny lines and songs were not heard sufficiently. The lighting was simple, and the set was well constructed. Cara Poythress's choreography provided nice stage pictures and showcased Wakefield's dancers.

Wakefield High School's production of Anything Goes was fun from beginning to end, and as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh said, "Anyone have hot pants for a game of shuffleboard?"

Kyle Dannahey
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Submitted for publication to The Wakefield Chieftain

An evangelist nightclub singer, a stockbroker, a debutante, a gangster, and an English Lord all get on a boat… Sounds like the start of a bad joke, doesn't it? Well it's the premise for Cole Porter's hilarious musical comedy Anything Goes. The raucous landmark musical, originally written in 1934 with Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter and book by P.G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsey, and Russel Crouse, has been a hit for many decades.

The show has been revised and revived on Broadway several times and received movie and TV musical adaptations. The show follows Billy Crocker as he tries to get the engaged Hope Harcourt to admit she is in love with him aboard the S.S. American. Crocker receives help from his friend, evangelist nightclub singer Reno Sweeny, and public enemy #13, Moonface Martin. The show is a madcap comedy full of dance, heart, and soaring vocals.

Garrett Rinker's performance as Moonface Martin had the audience rolling with laughter countless times throughout the show and his superb comedic timing never faltered. He provided many of the shows laughs. Rinker's partner in crime, Cara Poythress (Erma) constantly matched the level of comedy gold being forged onstage. Poythress' sultry disposition and sensuous voice embodied her character perfectly and was also featured as a dancer in many numbers. Retta Laumann's vocal performance as Hope Harcourt was noteworthy and solid in several numbers. Rafael Lopez's portrayal of Lord Evelyn Oakley was both hilarious and spectacular. Lopez's British accent perfectly fit his character and never faltered throughout the show, adding a level of believability and professionalism not often seen in high school theatre. Lopez's dance prowess in several numbers and vocal talents in The Gypsy in Me were exceptional.

The student choreography by Cara Poythress created great stage pictures and had dancers in constant fluidity with graceful movements throughout. The task of choreographing a show with numerous dance portions and such a reputation for superb dance talent is no easy feat, and Poythress rose to the challenge with grace and success. The set design by Jacob Bucks and Sidney Shaharari was masterfully constructed and allowed for fast scene changes and many playing areas for the action of the show.

Wakefield High School's production of Anything Goes had numerous challenges laid out before them due to the nature and reputation of the show, and they rose to the challenge with elegance providing an enjoyable night to be had by all.