Anything Goes
Musical
Writers:Guy Bolton P.G. Wodehouse Howard Lindsay Russel Crouse John Weidman Timothy Crouse Cole Porter
Overview
Synopsis
The S. S. American is sailing between New York and England with a comically colorful assemblage of passengers: Reno Sweeney, a popular nightclub singer and former evangelist, her pal Billy Crocker, a lovelorn Wall Street broker who has come aboard to try to win the favor of his beloved Hope Harcourt (who is engaged to another passenger, Sir Evelyn Oakleigh), and a second-rate conman named Moonface Martin, aka “Public Enemy #13”. Song, dance, and farcical antics ensue as Reno and Moonface try to help Billy win the love of his life.
Show Information
- Book
- Guy Bolton , P.G. Wodehouse , Howard Lindsay , Russel Crouse , John Weidman , Timothy Crouse
- Music
- Cole Porter
- Lyrics
- Cole Porter
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1934
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- early 1930s
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Anything Goes premiered in 1934 on Broadway at the present day Neil Simon Theater (then known as the “Alvin Theatre”) in a production directed by Howard Lindsay and starring William Gaxton as Billy, Ethel Merman as Reno Sweeney, and Victor Moore as Moonface Martin. It was produced the following year on the West End, and soon after was adapted for film. Anything Goes has enjoyed two Broadway revivals, an off-Broadway productions, two West End revivals, and a National Tour and is produced
to read the context for Anything Goes and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
The action opens in a smoky bar in Manhattan. Elisha J. Whitney, a Wall Street tycoon, is enjoying his seventh drink while waiting for his assistant, Billy Crocker. He tells the bartender, Fred, that he is headed to London in the morning to “boot the Yale boat home” at the Henley Regatta, an annual rowing event on the Thames. Billy enters, and Eli immediately begins singing the Yale Fight Song while Billy stands at attention. Whitney chastises Billy his tardiness; Billy explains
to read the plot for Anything Goes and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
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Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
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Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
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Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Ensemble |
Either or Both |
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Songs
Act One
- Prelude - Cole Porter / Orchestra
- "I Get a Kick Out of You" - Reno Sweeney
- "There's No Cure Like Travel" - Sailor, Girl and Crew
- "Bon Voyage" - Company
- *"You're the Top" - Reno and Billy Crocker
- "Easy to Love" - Billy
- "I Want to Row on the Crew"- Elisha Whitney
- "Sailor's Chantey (There'll Always Be a Lady Fair)" - Chantey Quartet
- *"Friendship" - Reno and Moonface Martin
- "It's De-Lovely" - Billy and Hope Harcourt
- *"Anything Goes" - Reno and Company
Act Two
- Entr'acte - Orchestra
- "Public Enemy Number One" - Company
- * "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" - Reno and Company
- "Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye" - Hope
- "Be Like the Bluebird" - Moonface
- "All Through the Night" - Billy, Hope, Crew
- "The Gypsy in Me" - Lord Evelyn Oakleigh
- "Buddie, Beware" - Erma and Crew
- *Finale: "I Get a Kick Out of You" / "Anything Goes" (reprises) - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A comedic dramatic genre featuring exaggerated situations, physical humor, and improbable events.
A period of artistic flourishing, often referring to 1940s-60s Broadway or English Renaissance theatre. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
Broadway musicals from the 1940s–60s, known for integrating plot and song, such as *Oklahoma!* and *The Sound of Music*.
A musical genre characterized by syncopation and improvisation, frequently integrated into musical theatre for style and rhythm.
Short for 'legitimate theatre,' referring to traditional stage drama as opposed to musical or commercial performance. The term is also used to describe a classical vocal tone suitable for operatic or legit musical theatre roles.
A new production of a previously performed play or musical, often reinterpreting its themes or updating its design.
A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.
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