On Friday Nov. 6, 2015, I went to the marvelous Woods Theatre at Monmouth University to see the fall musical "Anything Goes" to support friends involved in the production. Woods Theatre usually puts on a good production, past performances including" The Laramie Project," "Rent," "Urine Town" and multiple other performances. Safe to say, I was not disappointed when it came to "Anything Goes."
Directed by Dr. John Burke, the show had everything you could ask for. Love triangles, mistaken identity, humor, and lots of great songs and dance number; you’d be a fool not to go. My personal favorite songs from this production were "Bon Voyage" , "Friendship", and, of course, "Anything Goes". The first act was amazing with dazzling costumes, songs, and dance numbers. The second act started off slow, but despite a slow beginning and minor misc. problems, the show finds its energy again by the second song.
The band was amazing! Under the direction of Ms. Jennifer Weingarten, the band was on point and performed beautifully and just as strongly as the actors. I really loved the placement of the band and thought it was a clever way to include them in the show.
The crew performed quickly and sufficiently to make sure the show ran smoothly. From quick stage changes to light changes, the crew never fell short of their cues and helped make the show great.
The cast was fantastic. Molly Huber sparkled as Reno Sweeney. Stealing the show with her singing, dancing, and sass, Huber was made for the role of Reno Sweeney. I found myself dazzled by her presence on stage and in awe of her wonderful singing voice. She lit up the stage and was a crowd favorite.
Jacob Turchi is great as Billy Crocker. Never missing a beat on his lines and a strong singing voice, Turchi showed great maturity when taking on this role.
Kim Kallok shines as the lovely Hope Harcourt. Dripping with pose and elegance, Kallok glides across the stage in her musical and dance numbers. You are charmed by her kindness and sweet nature.
Another show stealer was Katryna Cordova as Erma. Cordova shows star quality in her solo "Buddie, Beware" as she struts her stuff and leaves audience members, and sailors, wanting more. Cordova makes Erma her own character and shows what she’s made of every time she steps out on stage.
Evan Kudish is fantastic as Lord Evelyn Harcourt. Poised, collected, and proving that even the most sophisticated person can have a wild side in his solo "The Gypsy in Me", viewers will enjoy Kudish as Evelyn. Kudish is a notably strong singer, dancer, and actor and makes Evelyn stand out of the crowd in this production.
Stephen Lang, Samantha Myers, and Kevin Ospina shine as their own characters. Lang is humorous and entertaining as the successful (and functionally boozy) Wall Street banker Elisha Whitney. Myers is phenomenal as Hope Harcourt’s mother Evangeline. Ospina is tremendouce as big time mobster Moonface Martin.
The rest of the cast is phenomenal and shines together in big group numbers. The ensemble thunders in the large tap numbers and sing beautifully as a group.
Everyone should go see "Anything Goes" at Woods Theatre at Monmouth University. Performances continue from Nov. 8-15 at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the box office. Monmouth students who present their student IDs at the box office will get a special offer.
Check out the trailer for this production in the link below.
