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Anything GoesOpening Date: July 23, 2021
Closing Date: Nov 6, 2021 Air date: Nov 28, 2021 Medium: cinema, TV, online Where to watch: cinema (worldwide on select dates), TV and BBC iPlayer (UK only), PBS (US only, from 5/13/2022), Apple TV (US only, from 5/13/2022), |
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Stage Production Notes
“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 from a crew of singing sailors, a comical disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.”
Produced by Vinton Freedley, Anything Goes began life in the summer of 1934 as Hard to Get, a comedy about the destruction of a gambling ship by writers P.G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton (who also wrote the book for Magyar Melody, one of the first musicals to be broadcast live on television in 1939), and composer and lyricist Cole Porter.
Anything Goes was Cole Porter’s eighth Broadway musical, and one of his most successful. He would later write Kiss Me, Kate, which was the first musical to win the Tony Award for Best Musical (there are currently two filmed live productions in the database - the 2002 London revival and the 2014 BBC Proms production). As noted by biographer William McBrien, critics are divided “on their choice of Porter’s best score: Anything Goes or Kiss Me, Kate.”
According to biographer William McBrien, Freedley disliked Wodehouse and Bolton’s initial script and requested re-writes. Following the September tragedy of the USS Morro Castle, which saw the loss of 137 lives, Freedley hired Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse to re-work the show. The pair worked quickly, and were reportedly writing up until opening night in Boston.
Billed as a “hilarious musical romp across the Atlantic,” Anything Goes commenced out-of-town tryouts at the Colonial Theatre in Boston on November 5, 1934. The musical was directed by Harry Howell, with staging by Howard Lindsay, arrangements by Hans Spialek, choral arrangements by Ray Johnson, dances by Robert Alton, scenic design by Donald Oenslager, technical direction by Isaac Benesch, and Irvin Pincus serving as the stage manager. The cast featured Ethel Merman (Reno Sweeney), William Gaxton (Billy Crocker), Bettina Hall (Hope Harcourt), and Victor Moore (Moonface Martin).
The Boston Globe exalted that the musical “tops the list in general excellence — in strength of cast, gaiety of comedy, merit of music, beauty of settings and in about everything else that makes for real success in musical comedy,” though also noted that cuts were needed as the curtain didn’t come down until 11.40pm. The cast all received high praise for their performances, notably Ethel Merman who was described as “a joyous light of the performance.”
Just a few weeks later, Anything Goes opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon) on November 21, 1934. As noted in the New York Times a few days before, the musical had the “second highest premiere fee of the season” at $6.60 a ticket (approx. $140 today).
The score included “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “Bon Voyage (There’s No Cure Like Travel),” “All Through the Night,” “Sailors’ Chantey (There’ll Always be a Lady Fair,” “Where Are the Men,” “You’re the Top,” “Anything Goes,” “Public Enemy #1,” “Blow Gabriel Blow,” “Be Like the Bluebird,” “All Through the Night (Reprise),” “Buddie, Beware,” and “The Gypsy in Me.”
As it had done in Boston, Anything Goes received rave reviews. Writing for the New York Times, Brooks Atkinson described the production as a “thunderingly good musical show,” and “hilarious and dynamic entertainment.” Atkinson praised the book, and Porter’s “dashing score… [and] impish lyrics.” Of Ethel Merman’s performance, Atkinson stated that even though she hadn’t herself written “I Get a Kick Out of You” or “Anything Goes,” “…she has made them hers now by the swinging gusto of her platform style.” Arthur Pollock, writing for The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, stated the musical was “a knockout of more than ordinary proportions,” and “Seldom do musical comedies get to be funnier.” Pollock also praised the performances of the cast, and summarized Anything Goes was “cockeyed and exhilarating, pretty, witty, smart— and long.”
In late September 1935, the production transferred to the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers) where it finished out its run. After 420 performances, the original Broadway production closed on November 16, 1935.
Anything Goes proved to be one of the most popular musicals of the 1930s. According to Ethel Merman biographer Caryl Flinn, the musical had cost $59,000 to stage, and recouped $480,000.
The West End transfer was highly anticipated. According to Cole Porter biographer William McBrien, an injunction against performing any songs from the show in London was placed prior to the West End opening. It was also reported in The Observer that a second production would potentially open after the West End opening to meet demand. Produced by Charles B. Cochran, Anything Goes opened at London’s Palace Theatre on June 14, 1935. The production featured Jeanne Aubert (Reno Sweeney), Jack Whiting (Billy Crocker), Sydney Howard (Moonface Martin) and Adele Dixon (Hope Harcourt).
The original West End production also received glowing reviews. Guardian reviewer L.B. noted “Cole Porter has contributed some songs in his best vein…[and] at the top of his form as a topical rhymester,” though was more restrained in his praise of the London cast.
In 1936, Paramount released a film adaptation directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Bing Crosby (Billy Crocker), Ethel Merman (Reno Sweeney), Charles Ruggles (Moonface Martin) and Ida Lupino (Hope Harcourt). As noted by Caryl Flinn, the film was tempered by the Hayes Code, which forced lyric changes and wholesale cutting of some of Cole Porter’s catchiest tunes including “Blow, Gabriel Blow,” and “All Through the Night.” The movie musical included new songs by Edward Heyman and Hoagy Carmichael, and Leo Robin and Frederick Hollander — “Moonburn,” “Sailor Beware,” And “My Heart and I.” The film was later released on television under the title Tops is the Limit.
On October 2, 1950, NBC aired an hour-long version of Anything Goes starring Martha Raye as Reno Sweeney on Musical Comedy Time. According to P.G. Wodehouse biographer Brian Taves, the program cost $30,000 to produce.
A few years later, on February 28, 1954, Ethel Merman reprised her role as Reno Sweeney in an abbreviated made-for-television version of the musical on NBC’s The Colgate Comedy Hour. Directed by Sid Smith, the cast included Frank Sinatra (Billy Crocker), and Bert Lahr (Moonface Martin). According to Taves, the 1954 version cost NBC $175,000. The 1954 television special was later released on DVD by Entertainment One and is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Paramount released a second film adaptation in 1956, with Bing Crosby reprising his roll as Billy Crocker. Directed by Robert Lewis, the film featured Donald O’Connor, Zizi Jeanmarie, and Mitzi Gaynor, and strayed further from the stage show in its script. The film is now available on DVD.
On May 15, 1962, Anything Goes opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre with a revised book by Guy Bolton. The score included additional Cole Porter songs “It’s De-Lovely,” “The Heaven Hop,” “Friendship,” “Let’s Step Out,” “Let’s Misbehave,” and “Take Me Back to Manhattan.” Several songs were excised from the score, including “There’s No Cure Like Travel,” “Sailors’ Chanty, ”“Where Are the Men?,” “The Gypsy in Me,” and “Buddie, Beware.” The cast featured Eileen Rogers (Reno Sweeney), Hal Linden (Billy Crocker), and Mickey Deems (Moonface Martin).
The off-Broadway version was performed in London at the Seville Theatre, opening on November 18, 1969.
The 1962 version was reprised off-off-Broadway in November 1980 at St Bart’s Playhouse and in March 1981 at the Equity Library’s Master Theatre.
Anything Goes was revived on Broadway in 1987 at the Vivian Beaumont, with a new book by Timothy Crouse (son of original book writer Russel Crouse) and John Weidman. Produced by Lincoln Center, the revival was directed by Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Michael Smuin, orchestrations by Michael Gibsons, dance arrangements by Tom Fay, musical direction by Edward Strauss, scenic and costume design by Tony Walton, lighting design by Tom Gallo, sound design by Tony Meola, hair design by David H. Lawrence, and wig design by Paul Huntley. The cast included Patti LuPone (Reno Sweeney), Howard McGillin (Billy Crocker), Kathleen Mahony- Bennett (Hope Harcourt), and Bill McCutcheon (Moonface Martin).
The 1987 revival featured the songs of the original production, along with the addition of Cole Porter tunes “Easy to Love,” “I Want to Row on the Crew,” “Friendship,” “It’s De-lovely,” and “Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye.”
The first Broadway revival of Anything Goes commenced previews at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on September 11, 1987 before officially opening on October 19, 1987.
The 1987 revival was nominated for multiple awards, including 10 Tony Awards, and 10 Drama Desk Awards. The musical won for the Tony Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Bill McCutcheon), Best Choreography (Michael Smuin), and Best Revival. The musical also won the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Patti LuPone), Outstanding Choreography (Michael Smuin), and Outstanding Revival.
After 44 previews and 784 regular performances, the first Broadway revival of Anything Goes closed on September 3, 1989.
The 1987 Broadway revival transferred to the West End, opening at the Prince Edward Theatre on July 4, 1989 and starring Elaine Paige (Reno Sweeney), Howard McGillan (Billy Crocker), and Bernard Cribbins (Moonface Martin).
An Australian production of the 1987 production opened at Sydney’s State Theatre on on March 2, 1989 directed by Philip Cusack and starring Geraldine Turner, Simon Burke, Peter Whitford, Grant Dodwell, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Marina Prior, Barry Rugless, and Jacqui Rae.
A special one-night-only benefit production for Lincoln Center Theater of Anything Goes was held at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on April 1, 2002. The benefit was directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, with scenic and costume design by Tony Walton, lighting design by Phil Monat, and sound design by Scott Stauffer. The cast included Patti LuPone and Howard McGillin reprising their roles from the 1987 production, along with Michael McGrath (Moonface Martin) and Kaitlin Hopkins (Hope Harcourt).
In late 2002, the National Theatre in London staged a revival at the Lawrence Olivier Theatre directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Stephen Mear. The revival featured Sally Ann Triplett (Reno Sweeney), John Barrowman (Billy Crocker), Martin Marquez (Moonface Martin), and Mary Stockley (Hope Harcourt). The production opened on December 18 and ran for 73 performances, before closing on March 22, 2003. The production transferred to the West End opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on October 7, 2003, and closed on August 24, 2004.
Based on the 1987 production, the Roundabout Theatre Company staged a second revival in 2011 under the direction of Kathleen Marshall, with music supervision by Rob Fisher, set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, and sound design by Brian Ronan. The cast featured Sutton Foster (Reno Sweeney), Colin Donnell (Billy Crocker), and Joel Grey (Moonface Martin).
The Roundabout revival opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on April 7, 2011.
The Roundabout revival received glowing reviews. New York Times theatre critic Ben Brantley praised Sutton Foster’s performance as “Both goofy and sexy, shruggingly insouciant and rigorously polished” and noted “Ms. Foster’s performance embodies the essence of escapist entertainment in the 1930s.” Brantley also praised Kathleen Marshall’s direction, and claimed the production “exudes the effervescence of a freshly poured gin fizz.”
The Roundabout production was nominated for 9 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards, winning 3 Tony Awards including Best Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster), Best Choreography (Kathleen Marshall), and Best Revival, and 4 Drama Desk Awards including Oustanding Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster), Outstanding Choreography (Kathleen Marshall), Outstanding Sound Design (Brian Ronan), and Outstanding Revival of a Musical.
After 32 previews and 521 performances, the Roundabout revival closed on July 8, 2012.
The Kathleen Marshall/Roundabout production was staged in London at the Barbican Theatre in the summer of 2021 starring Sutton Foster (see Filmed Production Notes below). The production proved so popular, another season was announced for 2022. Starring Kerry Ellis, Denis Lawson, Simon Callow, and Bonnie Langford, it is scheduled to run from June 25 until September 3, 2022. The Barbican production is also scheduled to tour the UK throughout the spring and fall of 2022.
“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 from a crew of singing sailors, a comical disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.”
Produced by Vinton Freedley, Anything Goes began life in the summer of 1934 as Hard to Get, a comedy about the destruction of a gambling ship by writers P.G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton (who also wrote the book for Magyar Melody, one of the first musicals to be broadcast live on television in 1939), and composer and lyricist Cole Porter.
Anything Goes was Cole Porter’s eighth Broadway musical, and one of his most successful. He would later write Kiss Me, Kate, which was the first musical to win the Tony Award for Best Musical (there are currently two filmed live productions in the database - the 2002 London revival and the 2014 BBC Proms production). As noted by biographer William McBrien, critics are divided “on their choice of Porter’s best score: Anything Goes or Kiss Me, Kate.”
According to biographer William McBrien, Freedley disliked Wodehouse and Bolton’s initial script and requested re-writes. Following the September tragedy of the USS Morro Castle, which saw the loss of 137 lives, Freedley hired Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse to re-work the show. The pair worked quickly, and were reportedly writing up until opening night in Boston.
Billed as a “hilarious musical romp across the Atlantic,” Anything Goes commenced out-of-town tryouts at the Colonial Theatre in Boston on November 5, 1934. The musical was directed by Harry Howell, with staging by Howard Lindsay, arrangements by Hans Spialek, choral arrangements by Ray Johnson, dances by Robert Alton, scenic design by Donald Oenslager, technical direction by Isaac Benesch, and Irvin Pincus serving as the stage manager. The cast featured Ethel Merman (Reno Sweeney), William Gaxton (Billy Crocker), Bettina Hall (Hope Harcourt), and Victor Moore (Moonface Martin).
The Boston Globe exalted that the musical “tops the list in general excellence — in strength of cast, gaiety of comedy, merit of music, beauty of settings and in about everything else that makes for real success in musical comedy,” though also noted that cuts were needed as the curtain didn’t come down until 11.40pm. The cast all received high praise for their performances, notably Ethel Merman who was described as “a joyous light of the performance.”
Just a few weeks later, Anything Goes opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon) on November 21, 1934. As noted in the New York Times a few days before, the musical had the “second highest premiere fee of the season” at $6.60 a ticket (approx. $140 today).
The score included “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “Bon Voyage (There’s No Cure Like Travel),” “All Through the Night,” “Sailors’ Chantey (There’ll Always be a Lady Fair,” “Where Are the Men,” “You’re the Top,” “Anything Goes,” “Public Enemy #1,” “Blow Gabriel Blow,” “Be Like the Bluebird,” “All Through the Night (Reprise),” “Buddie, Beware,” and “The Gypsy in Me.”
As it had done in Boston, Anything Goes received rave reviews. Writing for the New York Times, Brooks Atkinson described the production as a “thunderingly good musical show,” and “hilarious and dynamic entertainment.” Atkinson praised the book, and Porter’s “dashing score… [and] impish lyrics.” Of Ethel Merman’s performance, Atkinson stated that even though she hadn’t herself written “I Get a Kick Out of You” or “Anything Goes,” “…she has made them hers now by the swinging gusto of her platform style.” Arthur Pollock, writing for The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, stated the musical was “a knockout of more than ordinary proportions,” and “Seldom do musical comedies get to be funnier.” Pollock also praised the performances of the cast, and summarized Anything Goes was “cockeyed and exhilarating, pretty, witty, smart— and long.”
In late September 1935, the production transferred to the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers) where it finished out its run. After 420 performances, the original Broadway production closed on November 16, 1935.
Anything Goes proved to be one of the most popular musicals of the 1930s. According to Ethel Merman biographer Caryl Flinn, the musical had cost $59,000 to stage, and recouped $480,000.
The West End transfer was highly anticipated. According to Cole Porter biographer William McBrien, an injunction against performing any songs from the show in London was placed prior to the West End opening. It was also reported in The Observer that a second production would potentially open after the West End opening to meet demand. Produced by Charles B. Cochran, Anything Goes opened at London’s Palace Theatre on June 14, 1935. The production featured Jeanne Aubert (Reno Sweeney), Jack Whiting (Billy Crocker), Sydney Howard (Moonface Martin) and Adele Dixon (Hope Harcourt).
The original West End production also received glowing reviews. Guardian reviewer L.B. noted “Cole Porter has contributed some songs in his best vein…[and] at the top of his form as a topical rhymester,” though was more restrained in his praise of the London cast.
In 1936, Paramount released a film adaptation directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Bing Crosby (Billy Crocker), Ethel Merman (Reno Sweeney), Charles Ruggles (Moonface Martin) and Ida Lupino (Hope Harcourt). As noted by Caryl Flinn, the film was tempered by the Hayes Code, which forced lyric changes and wholesale cutting of some of Cole Porter’s catchiest tunes including “Blow, Gabriel Blow,” and “All Through the Night.” The movie musical included new songs by Edward Heyman and Hoagy Carmichael, and Leo Robin and Frederick Hollander — “Moonburn,” “Sailor Beware,” And “My Heart and I.” The film was later released on television under the title Tops is the Limit.
On October 2, 1950, NBC aired an hour-long version of Anything Goes starring Martha Raye as Reno Sweeney on Musical Comedy Time. According to P.G. Wodehouse biographer Brian Taves, the program cost $30,000 to produce.
A few years later, on February 28, 1954, Ethel Merman reprised her role as Reno Sweeney in an abbreviated made-for-television version of the musical on NBC’s The Colgate Comedy Hour. Directed by Sid Smith, the cast included Frank Sinatra (Billy Crocker), and Bert Lahr (Moonface Martin). According to Taves, the 1954 version cost NBC $175,000. The 1954 television special was later released on DVD by Entertainment One and is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Paramount released a second film adaptation in 1956, with Bing Crosby reprising his roll as Billy Crocker. Directed by Robert Lewis, the film featured Donald O’Connor, Zizi Jeanmarie, and Mitzi Gaynor, and strayed further from the stage show in its script. The film is now available on DVD.
On May 15, 1962, Anything Goes opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre with a revised book by Guy Bolton. The score included additional Cole Porter songs “It’s De-Lovely,” “The Heaven Hop,” “Friendship,” “Let’s Step Out,” “Let’s Misbehave,” and “Take Me Back to Manhattan.” Several songs were excised from the score, including “There’s No Cure Like Travel,” “Sailors’ Chanty, ”“Where Are the Men?,” “The Gypsy in Me,” and “Buddie, Beware.” The cast featured Eileen Rogers (Reno Sweeney), Hal Linden (Billy Crocker), and Mickey Deems (Moonface Martin).
The off-Broadway version was performed in London at the Seville Theatre, opening on November 18, 1969.
The 1962 version was reprised off-off-Broadway in November 1980 at St Bart’s Playhouse and in March 1981 at the Equity Library’s Master Theatre.
Anything Goes was revived on Broadway in 1987 at the Vivian Beaumont, with a new book by Timothy Crouse (son of original book writer Russel Crouse) and John Weidman. Produced by Lincoln Center, the revival was directed by Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Michael Smuin, orchestrations by Michael Gibsons, dance arrangements by Tom Fay, musical direction by Edward Strauss, scenic and costume design by Tony Walton, lighting design by Tom Gallo, sound design by Tony Meola, hair design by David H. Lawrence, and wig design by Paul Huntley. The cast included Patti LuPone (Reno Sweeney), Howard McGillin (Billy Crocker), Kathleen Mahony- Bennett (Hope Harcourt), and Bill McCutcheon (Moonface Martin).
The 1987 revival featured the songs of the original production, along with the addition of Cole Porter tunes “Easy to Love,” “I Want to Row on the Crew,” “Friendship,” “It’s De-lovely,” and “Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye.”
The first Broadway revival of Anything Goes commenced previews at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on September 11, 1987 before officially opening on October 19, 1987.
The 1987 revival was nominated for multiple awards, including 10 Tony Awards, and 10 Drama Desk Awards. The musical won for the Tony Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Bill McCutcheon), Best Choreography (Michael Smuin), and Best Revival. The musical also won the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Patti LuPone), Outstanding Choreography (Michael Smuin), and Outstanding Revival.
After 44 previews and 784 regular performances, the first Broadway revival of Anything Goes closed on September 3, 1989.
The 1987 Broadway revival transferred to the West End, opening at the Prince Edward Theatre on July 4, 1989 and starring Elaine Paige (Reno Sweeney), Howard McGillan (Billy Crocker), and Bernard Cribbins (Moonface Martin).
An Australian production of the 1987 production opened at Sydney’s State Theatre on on March 2, 1989 directed by Philip Cusack and starring Geraldine Turner, Simon Burke, Peter Whitford, Grant Dodwell, Maggie Kirkpatrick, Marina Prior, Barry Rugless, and Jacqui Rae.
A special one-night-only benefit production for Lincoln Center Theater of Anything Goes was held at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on April 1, 2002. The benefit was directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, with scenic and costume design by Tony Walton, lighting design by Phil Monat, and sound design by Scott Stauffer. The cast included Patti LuPone and Howard McGillin reprising their roles from the 1987 production, along with Michael McGrath (Moonface Martin) and Kaitlin Hopkins (Hope Harcourt).
In late 2002, the National Theatre in London staged a revival at the Lawrence Olivier Theatre directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Stephen Mear. The revival featured Sally Ann Triplett (Reno Sweeney), John Barrowman (Billy Crocker), Martin Marquez (Moonface Martin), and Mary Stockley (Hope Harcourt). The production opened on December 18 and ran for 73 performances, before closing on March 22, 2003. The production transferred to the West End opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on October 7, 2003, and closed on August 24, 2004.
Based on the 1987 production, the Roundabout Theatre Company staged a second revival in 2011 under the direction of Kathleen Marshall, with music supervision by Rob Fisher, set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, and sound design by Brian Ronan. The cast featured Sutton Foster (Reno Sweeney), Colin Donnell (Billy Crocker), and Joel Grey (Moonface Martin).
The Roundabout revival opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on April 7, 2011.
The Roundabout revival received glowing reviews. New York Times theatre critic Ben Brantley praised Sutton Foster’s performance as “Both goofy and sexy, shruggingly insouciant and rigorously polished” and noted “Ms. Foster’s performance embodies the essence of escapist entertainment in the 1930s.” Brantley also praised Kathleen Marshall’s direction, and claimed the production “exudes the effervescence of a freshly poured gin fizz.”
The Roundabout production was nominated for 9 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards, winning 3 Tony Awards including Best Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster), Best Choreography (Kathleen Marshall), and Best Revival, and 4 Drama Desk Awards including Oustanding Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster), Outstanding Choreography (Kathleen Marshall), Outstanding Sound Design (Brian Ronan), and Outstanding Revival of a Musical.
After 32 previews and 521 performances, the Roundabout revival closed on July 8, 2012.
The Kathleen Marshall/Roundabout production was staged in London at the Barbican Theatre in the summer of 2021 starring Sutton Foster (see Filmed Production Notes below). The production proved so popular, another season was announced for 2022. Starring Kerry Ellis, Denis Lawson, Simon Callow, and Bonnie Langford, it is scheduled to run from June 25 until September 3, 2022. The Barbican production is also scheduled to tour the UK throughout the spring and fall of 2022.
Filmed Production Notes
In late 2020, it was announced that the Kathleen Marshall/Roundabout production was to be staged in London starring Megan Mullally and Robert Lindsay. The production was scheduled to open at the Barbican on June 5, 2021, but the opening was delayed due to newly announced covid protocols.
Due to an injury, Megan Mullally had to depart the production, and Sutton Foster was announced as her replacement, marking Foster’s London debut.
Anything Goes opened at the Barbican on July 23, 2021.
The production received rave reviews. Writing for The Guardian, critic Lyndsey Winship described the musical as “sparkling, bubbly, a tonic,” and noted it was a “Depression-era escapism fit for post-Covid times.” Nick Curtis in the Evening Standard stated “The whole thing is a confection,” and lauded Kathleen Marshall’s direction and choreography as “supremely polished.” Sutton Foster received universally high praise for her performance. In a review for BritishTheatre.com, Douglas Mayo extolled Foster was “an absolute delight,” and “she had us in her thrall intoxicated with joy from start to finish.” Matt Wolf, writing The Arts Desk, praised Foster’s vocal ability and “unforced control of proceedings.”
The Barbican run was extended twice before closing on November 6, 2021.
Whilst at the Barbican, Anything Goes was filmed live under the direction of Ross MacGibbon, who had previously directed the captures of An American in Paris, 42nd Street, and multiple Royal Ballet performances.
The film was screened in 450 cinemas across the UK on November 28 and December 1, 2021.
Anything Goes aired on BBC Two in the UK on December 26, 2021. It was re-broadcast on BBC Four on January 2, 2022.
From March 27, 2022 onward, the film was released globally on select dates and in select cinemas.
PBS’ Great Performances will air Anything Goes on television on May 13, 2022.
British streaming platform Digital Theatre announced in April 2022 that the capture of Anything Goes had been added to their educational arm Digital Theatre Plus. Schools, universities, and educational institutions world-wide will have access to the musical along with a suite of accompanying educational resources from June 1st, 2022.
Anything Goes is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer (UK only), and will be air on Great Performances from May 13, 2022 (US only; check local listings for details). The Great Performances broadcast will also be available to stream via PBS and Apple TV (US only).
In late 2020, it was announced that the Kathleen Marshall/Roundabout production was to be staged in London starring Megan Mullally and Robert Lindsay. The production was scheduled to open at the Barbican on June 5, 2021, but the opening was delayed due to newly announced covid protocols.
Due to an injury, Megan Mullally had to depart the production, and Sutton Foster was announced as her replacement, marking Foster’s London debut.
Anything Goes opened at the Barbican on July 23, 2021.
The production received rave reviews. Writing for The Guardian, critic Lyndsey Winship described the musical as “sparkling, bubbly, a tonic,” and noted it was a “Depression-era escapism fit for post-Covid times.” Nick Curtis in the Evening Standard stated “The whole thing is a confection,” and lauded Kathleen Marshall’s direction and choreography as “supremely polished.” Sutton Foster received universally high praise for her performance. In a review for BritishTheatre.com, Douglas Mayo extolled Foster was “an absolute delight,” and “she had us in her thrall intoxicated with joy from start to finish.” Matt Wolf, writing The Arts Desk, praised Foster’s vocal ability and “unforced control of proceedings.”
The Barbican run was extended twice before closing on November 6, 2021.
Whilst at the Barbican, Anything Goes was filmed live under the direction of Ross MacGibbon, who had previously directed the captures of An American in Paris, 42nd Street, and multiple Royal Ballet performances.
The film was screened in 450 cinemas across the UK on November 28 and December 1, 2021.
Anything Goes aired on BBC Two in the UK on December 26, 2021. It was re-broadcast on BBC Four on January 2, 2022.
From March 27, 2022 onward, the film was released globally on select dates and in select cinemas.
PBS’ Great Performances will air Anything Goes on television on May 13, 2022.
British streaming platform Digital Theatre announced in April 2022 that the capture of Anything Goes had been added to their educational arm Digital Theatre Plus. Schools, universities, and educational institutions world-wide will have access to the musical along with a suite of accompanying educational resources from June 1st, 2022.
Anything Goes is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer (UK only), and will be air on Great Performances from May 13, 2022 (US only; check local listings for details). The Great Performances broadcast will also be available to stream via PBS and Apple TV (US only).
Anything Goes Production Credits
Theatre: Barbican Centre, London
Stage Producer: Sir Howard Panter (Trafalgar Theatre Productions), Dame Rosemary Squire, David Lazar, Marc Allenby, Alice de Rosa, Austin Shaw, Eilene Davidson Productions, BookMyShow, Mallory Factor (Hill Street Productions), with Rupert Gavin, Wyd En Scène, Christian C. Yegen, Mark Lubkeman, Kathryn Bricken, Jason Brueschke, Apota Productions
Associate Producers: Daniel Brodie, Matt Parritt
Executive Producers: Joshua Andrews, Stuart Galbraith
Film Producer: Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Stage2View, BBC, Thirteen Productions for WNET,
Original Book: P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse, New Book: Timothy Crouse and John Weidman
Music and Lyrics: Cole Porter
Director and Choreographer: Kathleen Marshall; Film Director: Ross MacGibbon
Musical Director: Stephen Ridley
Orchestrations: Michael Gibson
Additional Orchestrations: Bill Elliott
Dance Arrangements: David Chase
Vocal Arrangements: Rob Fisher
Scenic Design: Derek McLane
Costume Design: Jon Morrell
Wig, Hair, & Make-Up Design: Campbell Young Associates
Lighting Design: Hugh Vanstone
Sound Design: Jonathan Deans
Stage Manager: Patrick Stanier
Cast:
Sutton Foster (Reno Sweeney)
Robert Lindsay (Moonface Martin)
Felicity Kendal (Mrs Evangeline Harcourt)
Gary Wilmot (Elisha Witney)
Samuel Edwards (Billy Crocker)
Nicole-Lily Baisden (Hope Harcourt)
Carly Mercedes Dyer (Erma)
Haydn Oakley (Sir Evelyn Oakleigh)
Clive Hayward (Ship’s Captain)
Graham MacDuff (Ship’s Purser)
Alistair So (Luke)
Jon Chew (John)
Selina Hamilton (Purity)
Alexandra Wright (Chastity)
Charlene Ford (Charity)
Frances Dee (Virtue)
The Ensemble:
Marc Akinfolarin
Simon Anthony
Georgie Ashford
Vivien Carter
Natalie Chua
Gabrielle Cocca
Eamonn Cox
Jordan Crouch
Maddie Harper
Michael Lin
Robbie McMillan
Tom Partridge
Emily Ormiston
Jack Wilcox
Liam Wrate
The Orchestra:
Mark Aspinall (Piano)
Nick Moss (Reed 1)
James Mainwaring (Reed 2)
Finn McEwan (Reed 2)
Paul Stevens (Reed 3)
Claire McInerney (Reed 4)
John Barclay (Trumpet 1)
Alex Maynard (Trumpet 2)
Craig Wild (Trumpet 2)
Rebecca Crawshaw (Trumpet 3)
Richard Freeman (Trumpet 3)
Robbie Harvey (Trombone 1)
Trevor Mires (Trombone 2)
Sarah Williams (Trombone 3)
Sandy Suchodolkski (Bass)
Nic Breakspear (Bass)
Matt Skelton (Drums)
Dominic Sales (Percussion)
Andy Taylor-Vebel (Guitar)
Theatre: Barbican Centre, London
Stage Producer: Sir Howard Panter (Trafalgar Theatre Productions), Dame Rosemary Squire, David Lazar, Marc Allenby, Alice de Rosa, Austin Shaw, Eilene Davidson Productions, BookMyShow, Mallory Factor (Hill Street Productions), with Rupert Gavin, Wyd En Scène, Christian C. Yegen, Mark Lubkeman, Kathryn Bricken, Jason Brueschke, Apota Productions
Associate Producers: Daniel Brodie, Matt Parritt
Executive Producers: Joshua Andrews, Stuart Galbraith
Film Producer: Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Stage2View, BBC, Thirteen Productions for WNET,
Original Book: P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse, New Book: Timothy Crouse and John Weidman
Music and Lyrics: Cole Porter
Director and Choreographer: Kathleen Marshall; Film Director: Ross MacGibbon
Musical Director: Stephen Ridley
Orchestrations: Michael Gibson
Additional Orchestrations: Bill Elliott
Dance Arrangements: David Chase
Vocal Arrangements: Rob Fisher
Scenic Design: Derek McLane
Costume Design: Jon Morrell
Wig, Hair, & Make-Up Design: Campbell Young Associates
Lighting Design: Hugh Vanstone
Sound Design: Jonathan Deans
Stage Manager: Patrick Stanier
Cast:
Sutton Foster (Reno Sweeney)
Robert Lindsay (Moonface Martin)
Felicity Kendal (Mrs Evangeline Harcourt)
Gary Wilmot (Elisha Witney)
Samuel Edwards (Billy Crocker)
Nicole-Lily Baisden (Hope Harcourt)
Carly Mercedes Dyer (Erma)
Haydn Oakley (Sir Evelyn Oakleigh)
Clive Hayward (Ship’s Captain)
Graham MacDuff (Ship’s Purser)
Alistair So (Luke)
Jon Chew (John)
Selina Hamilton (Purity)
Alexandra Wright (Chastity)
Charlene Ford (Charity)
Frances Dee (Virtue)
The Ensemble:
Marc Akinfolarin
Simon Anthony
Georgie Ashford
Vivien Carter
Natalie Chua
Gabrielle Cocca
Eamonn Cox
Jordan Crouch
Maddie Harper
Michael Lin
Robbie McMillan
Tom Partridge
Emily Ormiston
Jack Wilcox
Liam Wrate
The Orchestra:
Mark Aspinall (Piano)
Nick Moss (Reed 1)
James Mainwaring (Reed 2)
Finn McEwan (Reed 2)
Paul Stevens (Reed 3)
Claire McInerney (Reed 4)
John Barclay (Trumpet 1)
Alex Maynard (Trumpet 2)
Craig Wild (Trumpet 2)
Rebecca Crawshaw (Trumpet 3)
Richard Freeman (Trumpet 3)
Robbie Harvey (Trombone 1)
Trevor Mires (Trombone 2)
Sarah Williams (Trombone 3)
Sandy Suchodolkski (Bass)
Nic Breakspear (Bass)
Matt Skelton (Drums)
Dominic Sales (Percussion)
Andy Taylor-Vebel (Guitar)
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- Dan Dietz, The Complete Book of 1980s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield (2016)
- Eds. Cliff Eisen and Dominic McHugh, The Letters of Cole Porter, Yale University Press (2019)
- Caryl Flinn, Brass Diva: The Life and Legends of Ethel Mermen, University of California Press (2007)
- Kelly Kessler, Broadway in the Box (Oxford University Press (2020)
- William McBrien, Cole Porter: A Biography, Vintage Books (1998)
- Eds. Don M. Randel, Matthew Shaftel, Susan Forscher Weiss, A Cole Porter Companion, University of Illinois Press (2016)
- Brian Taves, P.G. Wodehouse and Hollywood: Screenwriting, Satires and Adaptations, McFarland & Company (2006)
Articles
- Brooks Atkinson, “The Play: ‘Anything Goes’ as Long as Victor Moore, Ethel Merman and William Gaxton are Present,” NY Times (Nov 22, 1934), p.26
- L.B., “A New York “hit” in London: Mr. Howard’s Triumph in “Anything Goes,” The Guardian (June 15, 1935), p.10
- Tim Bano, “Anything Goes,” The Stage (Aug 5, 2021)
- Ben Brantley, “A Glimpse of Stocking? Shocking!” New York Times (April 7, 2011)
- Nick Curtis, “Anything Goes review: You’ll get a kick out of this dazzling Cole Porter revival,” Evening Standard (Aug 5, 2021)
- John Edwards, “The Morro Castle Disaster,” Ocean Liners Magazine (Sept 8, 2020)
- Bob Evans, “Anything goes on stage, but will the people buy it?” The Sydney Morning Herald (March 4, 1989), p.89
- Rowland Field, “The New Play: “Anything Goes” New Musical Hit At Alvin Theatre,” Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), (Nov 22, 1934) p.4A
- Kate Kellaway, “The week in theatre: Anything Goes; Changing Destiny – review,” The Guardian (Aug 8, 2021)
- Jessica Lewis, “ANYTHING GOES Opens at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre April 7, 2011,” BroadwayWorld (July 21, 2010)
- Burns Mantle, “‘Anything Goes,’ or Fun on the Ocean Wave: New Musical Comedy Smartly Done With Gaxton, Moore and Merman.” Daily News (New York), (Nov 23, 1934) p.61
- Douglas Mayo, “Anything Goes,” BritishTheatre.com (Aug 4, 2011)
- Caitlin Moynihan, “Sutton Foster to Replace Megan Mullally in London's Anything Goes,” Broadway.com (May 14, 2021)
- Arthur Pollock, “‘Anything Goes’ Arrives in Town: The Theater,” The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Nov 22, 1934), p.25
- Dan Savage, “Megan Mullally and Robert Lindsay star in Anything Goes, Spring/Sumer 2021!” London For Groups (Nov 30, 2020)
- Noel Thornton, “New Musical Hit: Cole Porter’s Tunes in ‘Anything Goes’ Cheer Up Broadway,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Nov 25, 1934), p.8
- Stephen Williams, “Farce, Skill and Beauty in New Cochran Show,” Evening Standard (London) (June 15, 1935), p.28
- Lyndsey Winship, “Anything Goes review – Sutton Foster dazzles in Cole Porter’s fizzing tonic for our times,” The Guardian (Aug 5, 2021)
- Matt Wolf, “Anything Goes, Barbican review - an explosion of joy,” The Arts Desk (Aug 6, 2021)
- Alex Wood, “Sutton Foster replaces Megan Mullally in Anything Goes at the Barbican,” WhatsOnStage (May 14, 2021)
- Uncredited, “‘News of the Stage: ‘Anything Goes!’ Arriving, Tonight, With a Reputation — Adelphi (nee Craig) to Reopen,” New York Times (Nov 21, 1934), p.22
- Uncredited, “The Stage: Colonial Theatre: “Anything Goes,”” The Boston Globe (Nov 6, 1934), p.16
- Uncredited, “Dramatis Personae.” The Observer (London) (June 9, 1935), p.11
- Uncredited, “Barbican production of ‘ANYTHING GOES’ will be screened in cinemas nationwide for two nights only!” The Arts Shelf (Oct 10, 2021)
Websites
- Anything Goes Official Website, Accessed via: https://anythinggoesmusical.co.uk/home
- Anything Goes Cinema, Accessed via: https://www.anythinggoesmusicalcinema.com/home/
- Barbican Theatre, “Anything Goes: Sat 25 June - Sat 3 Sept 2022, Barbican Theatre,” Accessed via: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2022/event/anything-goes
- BBC Two: Anything Goes, Accessed via: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012y8y
- Elaine Paige, “Discography, “Anything Goes (1989 Cast),” Accessed via: http://elainepaige.com/discography/anything-goes-1989-london-cast/
- IBDb, “Anything Goes - Broadway - Original,” Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/anything-goes-9382#People
- IBDb, “Anything Goes,” Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/anything-goes-488371
- IMDb, “Anything Goes (1936),” Accessed via: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027302/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3
- Musicals101, “Musicals on Television: 1944 - 1955,” Accessed via: http://musicals101.com/tv2.htm
- PBS, “Great Performances: S49 EP27: GREAT PERFORMANCES: ANYTHING GOES | CLIP
- Sutton Foster Performs “Anything Goes,” Accessed via: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/sutton-foster-performs-anything-goes-b2e47l/13689/
- Sondheim Guide, “Anything Goes: 2002 National Theatre Revival,” Accessed via: http://www.sondheimguide.com/porter/anything02uk.html
Written by Luisa Lyons (April, 2022)