Lights Up! Theatre Company Presents “Anything Goes”

It’s full steam ahead for Lights Up! Theatre Company’s 6th season as they rehearse Cole Porter’s Tony award winning musical, Anything Goes for opening night on February 23rd at the Marjorie Luke Theater!

This tap-happy musical comedy begins when a brassy nightclub singer, a starry-eyed stowaway and Public Enemy No.13 are booked on a transatlantic luxury liner bound for romance and hilarity. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help. A crew of singing sailors, comical disguises and some good old-fashioned blackmail all conspire to deliver the lovers their heart’s desire.

This hilarious musical romp across the Atlantic featuring a collection of some of theatre’s most memorable songs – including ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’, ‘You’re the Top’ and of course, ‘Anything Goes’, – will transport you to the golden age of the thirties on the high seas. Join Lights Up! on this delightful musical voyage of mistaken identities, love and laughter!

Director Amy Love says, “Anything Goes is one of those “must do” musicals, and we’re checking that box this season.  We’ve garnered a reputation for ‘going big’ with our dance numbers, and what better show to challenge ourselves with than one with a 4 minute tap dance break? We’ve added a professional track dance corps to the mix, which is a wonderful experience for our actors – to work alongside dancers with a high level of discipline and skill. Cole Porter’s music is timeless and legendary, but I also wanted to bring focus to the expertly drawn comedic characters and brilliant book by Guy Bolton and PG Wodehouse, two of the most prolific and talented musical book writers of the last century. It’s been really rewarding to go beneath the surface of the fast-paced comedy in working on character development with our actors; they have come to appreciate the skill and complexity in the dialogue that communicates layers of meaning and character clues in just a few words. It’s also been a cool learning opportunity to produce this show on the heels of last year’s winter musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, which is pretty much a spoof of Anything Goes! It’s been a gift to work on this multiple award winning, absolutely delightful piece of golden age theatrical genius; It’s uplifting to look around the rehearsal room and see smiles and toes tapping as Cole Porter’s infectious rhythms surround us.”

Coming up in May is the Lights Up! musical production of Footloose, at The Lobero Theater. Based on the smash-hit movie and bestselling Oscar-nominated score, Footloose takes the stage with high energy, exhilarating dance, and a tender, dramatic story that touches the soul. This foot-stomping musical is a show stopper you won’t want to miss!

Anything Goes opens at The Marjorie Luke Theater on Friday, February 23rd, and runs both weekends through Sunday, March 3rd. Ticket prices: General Admission $35, Students + Teachers $25, and VIP $65 (Including referred seating and a swag bag).