ANYTHING GOES

(REVISED VERSION - 1962)

A Revival of the Musical Comedy in 2 Acts, 13 Scenes. Original book by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. New book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter.

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Guy Bolton, PG Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay & Russell Crouse

Originally produced in New York 21 November 1934 at the Alvin Theater for 420 performances.
Opened 19 October, 1987 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre: closed 3 September 1989 (804 perfs.)

Story

Anything Goes is a tuneful ocean crossing on the S.S. America. Billy Crocker comes to the ship for instructions from his Wall Street boss, E. J. Whitney. While there he discovers that the love of his life, Hope Harcourt (chaperoned by her mother) and her fiancé, Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, are on board. Also on board is dance-hall sweetheart Reno Sweeny and her chorus girls.

Billy decides to stow away and somehow win Hope. He runs into public enemy No. 13 disguised as Rev. Dr. Moon and his moll, Bonnie Le Tour. Moon has an extra ticket intended for public enemy No. 1, Snake Eyes Johnson, who has failed to show up for the crossing. Someone on board suggests that Billy is No. 1, and the chase is on.

Incorporating various disguises, Billy continues to woo Hope. Back on shore the real No. 1 is captured in the company of the real cleric Dr. Moon, but Billy and Moon do not get the message and escape from the brig, where they have been placed for their suspicious actions.

Like all 1930's musicals the end is utopian with Billy getting Hope, Reno gets Sir Evelyn, E. J. Whitney gets Mrs. Harcourt. Moon gets a pardon and is free to express openly his love for Bonnie.

CASTING

23 parts, 7 principals.

Hope, sings and tap dances.
Billy, good actor, good voice helps.
Moon, character comic who sings comic number, good voice not required.
Reno, strong musical comedy type who belts songs and hoofs well.
Sir Evelyn and E. J. Whitney, mostly straight acting roles with little singing.
Bonnie, dance-hall-girl type.

Dance-hall chorus line and other chorus roles very flexible — can vary from 6 to 24. Total cast, 30-46.

Musical Numbers

1. (Anything Goes) - (Recording sung by Cole Porter)
2. I Get a Kick Out of You - Reno Sweeney
3. (There's) No Cure Like Travel - (dropped from original production) - Sailor, Young Girl, Ship's Crew
   
4. Bon Voyage - Company
   
5. You're the Top - Reno Sweeney, Billy Crocker
   
6. Easy to Love (from BORN TO DANCE, film) - Billy Crocker
   
7. I Want to Row with the Crew (from PARANOIA, Yale) - Elisha Whitney
   
8. Sailor's Chanty (There'll Always Be a Lady Fair) - Chanty Quartet
   
9. Friendship (from DUBARRY WAS A LADY) - Reno Sweeney, Moonface Martin
   
10. It's Delovely (from RED HOT AND BLUE) - Billy Crocker, Hope Harcourt
    
11. Anything Goes - Reno Sweeney, Company
    
12. Public Enemy #1 - Company
    
13. Blow, Gabriel, Blow - Reno Sweeney, Company
    
14. Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye (from O MISTRESS MINE, London) - Hope Harcourt
    
15. Be Like the Bluebird - Moonface Martin
    
16. All Through the Night - Billy Crocker, Hope Harcourt, Men
    
17. The Gypsy in Me - Lord Evelyn Harcourt
    
18. Buddie, Beware - Erma, Sailors
    
19. I Get a Kick Out of You (reprise) - Company
    

ORCHESTRATION

Reed 1, 2, 3 & 4: Trumpet 1 & 2: Trombone: Percussion: Banjo: Guitar: Piano & Celeste: Violin 1 & 2: Viola: Cello: Bass

A Combo set is also available

Scenes and Settings

2 acts, 16 scenes, 8 sets including drops.

ACT I

Scene 1: Weylin Caprice Bar.
Scene 2: Afterdeck. Midnight Sailing.
Scene 3: Mr. Whitney's and Dr. Moon's Cabins. Scene 4: The Afterdeck.
Scene 5: Sir Evelyn's Cabin.
Scene 6: The Deck.

ACT II

Scene 1: The Lounge.
Scene 2: The Brig.
Scene 3: Conservatory of Sir Evelyn's Home, England.

PERIOD AND COSTUMES:

The 1930's with all the fashions of the day as worn by the ship's passengers, including girls' pants, slumber helmets, pleated skirts, and chorus costumes. Also sailor dress white uniforms, deck shorts/tunic outfits, entertainer gowns, black parson's suit, collar and hat, evening wear, and various business suits and disguises.

CHOREOGRAPHY:

Tap, kick line, "Heaven Hop," soft shoe, and production numbers.

LIGHTING AND SPECIAL EFFECTS:

General lighting.

NOTES:

The above describes the 1962 revival in which additional songs from other Cole Porter shows were slickly included with great success. It is this version that is generally available for stock and amateur productions. For the record, the original production had only 12 songs of which several were reprised. In this revival "The Gypsy and Me" has been deleted. The songs added are "It's Delovely" from Red Hot and Blue. "Friendship" from DuBarry Was a Lady, "Let's Do It" and "Heaven Hop" from Paris, "Take Me Back to Manhattan" from The New Yorkers, and "Let's Step Out" from Fifty Million Frenchmen.