About a week before the opening of Waterford High School’s production of Anything Goes, the musical set aboard an England-bound ocean liner is not yet seaworthy.
“We’re still working a few things out,” said Abigail Murphy, a stagehand who was watching a dress rehearsal from the front row.
For instance, the crew made a bit of a dog’s breakfast out of moving some of the set into place.
The stage hands also took a while to rotate a spinning wall, making for a scene that looked like a punishment in a Victorian prison.
As for the cast, some of the male dancers in the ensemble are not quite in sync, earning a jeer from director Shane Valle.
Valle, for his part, lost his place during the rehearsal, asking why the stage was not set properly.
“We’re doing that scene, right?” he asked.
A symphony of “no’s” came from the actors backstage.
But Murphy, 17, a WHS senior and veteran of the school’s locally renowned productions, has an easy confidence that belies the ironic tone to her voice.
“Drama has a way of coming together in a week,” she said.
Anything Goes is WHS Drama’s annual spring musical, and the third one Valle has directed.
“It’s one of my favorites,” he said. “And it has songs that many in the audience will recognize.”
Those songs are, of course, by Cole Porter, and the show features some of his most famous tunes, such as “It’s De-Lovely,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” and an eternally rambunctious title track.
“The lyrics are racier and they are humorous,” Murphy said. “[Teenagers] can relate to them.”
The title song is a jaunty celebration of liberated social mores referencing mothers who’d rather be tennis pros plus noting that the smart set “is intruding nudist parties in studios.”
“You’re the Top” effortlessly name-checks everything from Mickey Mouse, to cellophane, to Greta Garbo’s salary.
Andrew Guay, 16, who does his best-received pronunciation in his portrayal of upper-class English twit Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, said that the songs were great to sing.
“It’s one of my favorite musicals,” he said.
After previews in Boston, Anything Goes debuted on Broadway in November 1934 and starred Ethel Merman and vaudevillian William Glaxton; it opened in London the next year. P.G Wodehouse, the famous author of the “Jeeves and Wooster” series, collaborated with the light entertainment writer Guy Bolton on the original book that was later revised by the successful Broadway “show doctors,” Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse.
The original songs from the 1934 production were altered during an off-Broadway revival in 1962; Valle decided to use the songs from the latter.
The story follows the always lovesick American stockbroker Billy Crocker (Victor Chiburis) in his attempts to steal the heart of beauty Hope Harcourt (played by both Ashleigh Becker and Hannah Schenk) away from the frequently seasick Oakleigh.
The action takes place aboard the SS American, with its amusing mishmash of passengers.
Joining Crocker, Harcourt, and Oakleigh is nightclub singer and sexpot Reno Sweeney; inept gangster “Moonface” Martin (played by both Jacob Friedman and Eric Haff) and his adorning aide de camp Bonnie (played by Alex Sadinsky); Evangeline, Hope’s mother (Sara Kelly and Rachel Labrecque); and Elisha J. Whitney (Joey McEvily), the well-heeled broker who employs Crocker.
Along with the ensemble and minor characters, there are 37 actors in the cast, a number Valle called a “good amount.”
Ensemble member freshman Meghan Danley said that she “loves the show.”
“It’s not that complicated,” she said.
Also uncomplicated is the cast’s camaraderie, as ensemble member Marie Schenk said that everyone has been getting along.
And while the songs are top-notch and the acting and dancing are just about getting there, Valle admitted the real reason he wanted to put on Anything Goes.
“I really wanted to build a gigantic ship on stage,” he said.
Whatever you propose, Shane...
Anything Goes will take place at the Waterford High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., May 8 to 10. Advance reserved seating tickets may be purchased in the front lobby of Waterford High School Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets can also be reserved by calling 437-6956, ext. 728 at any time. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $12 per adult and $7 per student. For more information, contact Waterford High School at 437-6956.