Anything Goes
Anything Goes is musical comedy at its best. Based on a PG Wodehouse & Guy Bolton book, and featuring the mesmerizing music of Cole Porter, this nautical Broadway musical has a legacy of winning hearts and scoring accolades.
The Australian production is created by the Helpmann Award winning team of director Dean Bryant and choreographer Andrew Hallsworth. It features an all-star cast led by Caroline O’Connor (Reno), Todd McKenney (Lord Evelyn), Wayne Scott Kermond (Moonface), Alex Rathgeber (Billy), Carmen Duncan (Evangeline), Claire Lyon (Hope) and Debora Krizak (Erma) among others.
Anything Goes takes the audience through a madcap story where Reno, an evangelist turned nightclub singer, and Moonface, a gangster, help Billy win the heart of Hope, only to be challenged by Hope’s fiancé Lord Evelyn!
Carmen Duncan, who plays the role of Hope’s haughty and overbearing mother, rates this production among the best of Broadway.
“(Anything Goes) is at par with musicals like Carousel, Phantom of the Opera, Pacific and Annie,” said Carmen.
“(I) love this musical,” she stated. “It has the most wonderful music. Every song is familiar, and the play is full of humour… it is simple and joyous, elegant and sophisticated.”
To act in a musical was at the top of Carmen’s bucket list, but she never found the confidence before, a revelation shocking in itself as Carmen has an amazing acting career spanning over five decades behind her.
“(I find) it both scary and exciting,” said Carmen.
Anything Goes has everything going for it: a superb cast, a fine story, great music and wonderful direction; go and see it before it goes away!
September 5 – October 31. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. $59.90-$199.90. Tickets & info: sydneyoperahouse.com or 9250 7777
