Review by Shelby Coleman
This week, Anything Goes presented by Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts opened in the newly renovated Corbett Theater. This lively romp features show stopping numbers driven by the infectious tunes of Cole Porter. Take a trip with NKU and the cast of Anything Goes this November.
The Story of NKU’s Anything Goes
This playful rom com, written in the 1930s to lift audiences during The Depression, still holds true today. Filled with love triangles, ship romances, and many unexpected subplots, NKU’s Anything Goes is the perfect uplifting show for anyone looking for an evening of entertainment.
The cast of “Anything Goes” at Northern Kentucky University
The story opens in a Manhattan bar with Reno Sweeney (Kristin Kaufman), a nightclub performer, that has the hots for a young stockbroker named Billy Crocker (James Lindeman). Crocker must keep his sight set on Wall Street while Sweeney has her sights set on Crocker. This leads to their chance meeting again aboard the SS American where chaos is sure to ensue. Sweeney continues to pursue Crocker with a lively rendition of “You’re The Top”. With the element of tap dancing added into this number, the audience gets a sneak peek of the glittering numbers to come.
Aboard the SS American we meet many characters who are pivotal to the story. Hope Harcourt (Marlo D’Ascenzo) is an elegant debutant who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Keenan Deaton). Harcourt (D’Ascenzo), however, has captured the heart of Billy Crocker (Lindeman) after an evening of dancing and talking. But has Crocker (Lindeman) captured Harcourt’s (D’Ascenzo) heart as well? Not if Evangeline Harcourt, played by Gabby Casto, can help it. Casto’s frenzied performance of Harcourt matriarch brings an additional level of comedy to this show that is not seen in many productions of Anything Goes.
Moonface Martin
Aboard the SS American we are meet Moonface Martin (Cody Combs), public enemy number 13 and his reluctant partner in crime Erma (Live Gudmunsson). Moonface and Erma seek Snake Eyes Johnson, public enemy number one, who is nowhere around. This proves lucky for Billy Crocker (Lindeman) as he can now utilize his boarding pass and passport. By taking on this new identity, chaos ensues for Crocker (Lindeman) and many other passengers as the search for Snake Eyes continues.
It is without a doubt that Combs’ performance as Moonface steals the show. Combs’s perfect comedic timing adds hilarity to this role and brought out many new layers of the character. His chemistry with Sweeney (Kaufman) and Crocker (Lindeman) bursts off the stage to create a larger-than-life performance. This is especially prevalent in “Friendship” which he performs alongside Kaufman. The ad lib lines throughout this number showcases the ease each performer feels on the stage. Audiences are on the edge of their seat each time Combs appears on stage, further cementing the great things that are sure to come from him in the future!
Kristin Kaufman as Reno Sweeney and Cody Combs as Moonface Martin in “Anything Goes” at Northern Kentucky University.
The Angels and Sailors of this show shine. We see the vocal and dance talents of the Angels (Kelly Messer, Ella Cooper, Mollie Tagher, and Emmarie Brewer) and the sailors (Hunter Broyles, Braedan Criss, Phoenix Bills, Elijah Medsker, and Mark Schutzman) in numbers such as “Anything Goes”, the show stopping finale of Act one that had audience members hooting and hollering for more. Another spectacle filled number is “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” where Sweeney (Kaufman) and her angels take the ship to church, resulting in this high energy full cast number.
NKU’s Anything Goes is a must see show and the perfect opportunity to visit the newly renovated Corbett Theater. Whether you are attending for the Cole Porter music, the spectacle filled musical numbers, or the hilarious comedy of Combs and Casto, you are sure to have an enjoyable evening that will live in memory for years to come!
The Cast of NKU’s Anything Goes.
Tickets to NKU’s Anything Goes
Anything Goes runs through November 23rd, 2024. Purchase tickets online at nku.edu/tickets or by calling the box office at (859) 572-5464. For assistance you can also contact the box office via email at boxoffice@nku.edu.
The physical box office will also open one hour before ticketed events for any night of show needs.
