Anything Goes
at Orange Lutheran High School

Reviewed on March 26, 2017

Alexander Trevisan
Tesoro High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Orange Lutheran's "Anything Goes" is more than de-lovely
written by Alexander Trevisan, a senior at Tesoro High School

When a nightclub singer, a romantic stockbroker, snooty aristocrats, and a reckless mobster meet aboard the S.S. American, love and laughter ensue. At Orange Lutheran, humor runs rampant as they bring new life to Cole Porter's classic, "Anything Goes."

Slinking across stage, Linsey Urrea shines as Reno Sweeny. Sultry and sassy, Urrea affects a mid-Atlantic accent, characteristic of the 1920s starlets. Whether she is singing alone onstage or in the middle of the ensemble, she exudes energy and confidence with a wide stance and upright posture. In the title song, "Anything Goes," Urrea's powerful mix voice flows to high notes with ease.

Jacob Kent is a true triple threat as the suave Billy Crocker. Eagerly seeking the love of an engaged debutante, Kent runs around, dodging sailors and adorning new disguises. Confronting each unique traveler, he seamlessly switches between the roles of obedient employee, dedicated lover, and clever stowaway. Kent's voice soars in each song, confidently belting or sweetly crooning in his falsetto. When dancing, he smoothly glides across the floor with arms extended and toes pointed.

Bree Moreno and Amanda Dayhoff as Hope and Evangeline Harcourt, respectively, create an unforgettably comedic family dynamic. While Moreno gracefully flits across stage, Dayhoff hobbles in heels as she searches for her lost dog. Moreno struggles to abandon her betrothed in favor of her true love, Billy. Meanwhile, Dayhoff callously denies her suitor until he acquires his own fortune. Dayhoff's brassy voice contrasts Moreno's tender confessions as she forcefully declares her need for wealth.

Joyously bouncing with each new American idiom acquired, Brayden Martino hilariously portrays the boisterous Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Prancing about in his underwear, swinging his family sword, Martino innocently covers up as Reno makes a surprise entrance. Soon enough, he falls in love with her and unleashes his wild side with vibrant, fluid samba moves in "The Gypsy in Me."

With his gun hidden in a violin case, Moonface Martin (Charlie Battaglia) gruffly waddles between craps games and skeet shooting. Battaglia's low rumble of a voice compliments his harsh scowl he adorns as he intimidates his way through problems. Covering up his status as Public Enemy No. 13, he cannot help but raise his hands in surrender whenever an employee detains a fellow passenger.

As the cast comes together, energetic comedy abounds in Cole Porter's classic musical comedy, "Anything Goes."

Faith Quigley
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Anchors aweigh for OLU's "Anything Goes"
written by Faith Quigley, a senior at Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Aboard the S.S. American, a motley crew of dazzling show girls, wealthy members of high society, and crafty con artists, tells the beautiful story of love and friendship in Orange Lutheran High School's "Anything Goes". Fueled by strong vocals and marvelous dancing, this classic American musical captivates audiences with its comedy, while telling the heartwarming message of love versus wealth and prosperity.

Leading the show as the classy, yet sassy, magnificent Reno Sweeny, Linsey Urrea saunters across the stage with poise. Demanding attention with her larger than life stage presence, Urrea not only masters a uniquely witty and glamourous physicality, but also stuns with her characteristic and sultry 1920's dialect. Paired with her magnificent, strong, and mixed vocal presence, Urrea's multi-dimensional and energetic performance is not one to forget.

Jacob Kent plays fellow lead Billy Crocker who shines as he craftily tries to win over the affection and eventual marriage of his love, Hope Harcourt, played by Bree Moreno. Failing to falter, Kent's voice remains robust and stable throughout the show, even carrying into his disguises of various characters to avoid being caught as a stowaway on the ship. With his gentle yet persistent demeanor, Kent's genuine character shines, as he closes his eyes reminiscently and holds Hope's note to his heart dreaming of their life together.

Equally brilliant is the cunning and dynamic gangster duo of Erma and Moonface Martin, played by JayLee McClain and Charlie Battaglia, respectively. With their effortless and poignant comedic timing, and paralleled old Hollywood dialects, the couple play off each other fantastically and add yet another layer of comedy to the show. Similarly, Matt Hutnyan and Amanda Dayhoff, work together as the unlikely fate-found couple Elisha Whitney and Evangeline Harcourt. Adding a mature element to the show, the couple contrast each other with Hutnyan's clumsy stomp and childlike mannerisms, and Dayhoff's poised and refined tight strides.

Tying the show together is the cohesive and adept ensemble, brimming with talent vocally and in various styles of dance. Eager and engaged, they work together to create strong stage presence, while displaying individual talents such as tap and point ballet.

All in all, OLU tells a beautiful story through dance, song, and staging, as they reinvent this compelling classic show in all its 1930's glory.

Olivia Robertson
Aliso Niguel High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page

Set sail with OLU's Anything Goes

In this classic Broadway musical, Orange Lutheran High School revives the grandeur and splendor of Cole Porter's famous 1930's hit show Anything Goes. The students of OLU tackled the challenging vocals, dance, and tap of a famous production—quite a tall order for a cast of high schoolers—and they did so with grace and talent.

Anything Goes follows the love triangles, schemes, and dramatics of the SS Lancer, an ocean liner headed from New York to London. Along the way, the antics of gangsters change the plans of the passengers which ends up mixing and matching couples, leading to big surprises, and even landing people in jail.

Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Brayden Martino) is a stand out in the midst of this over the top style show. His endless energy and stiff, almost caricature-like movements combine to create his flamboyantly annoying yet lovable character. Every ridiculous exclamation is timed to perfection and coupled with an ecstatic facial expression and humorous hip pop or giggle.

While all the other characters in the show embody the classic Broadway charisma and humor, Elisha Whitney (Matt Hutnyan) and Moonface Martin (Charlie Battaglia) stand out for their gruff, distinct, yet different portrayals. Hutnyan brings forth humor in the contrast between his harsh, manly disposition and the ironic moments of unexpected femininity. Battaglia's physical choice to keep his head low and shoulders raised create the quintessential 30s gangster, but he does so in an exaggerated manner that fits the musical theatre atmosphere.

Standing out among the rest are the vocals of Billy Crocker (Jacob Kent) and the Sailor Quartet (Nick Abuzalaf, Carson Inouye, Jacob McRee, Nick Wise). Kent's voice perfectly suits the state of his character at the time, smoothly transitioning from a soft yet crisp falsetto to his powerful and clear belt. The effortless quality of his voice is also shared by the quartet. Each sailor plays off of each other to make each note perfectly in sync and in tune with one another. Not once are any of them off key or tempo, creating a seamless and harmonious effect.

The comedy, harmony, and stand out moments from the cast of OLU make for a smooth sailing production to be remembered.