ANYTHING GOES   Role: The Purser   Production Info: February 27-March 23, 2003 @ Riverside Theatre Director/Choreographer: Marcia Milgrom Dodge Music Director: Helen Gregory

Before taking part in this wonderful production, I didn’t know much about Anything Goes. What was I missing? A string of great classic tunes by Cole Porter, some incredible tap dancing, and a clever laugh-a-minute storyline to weave them all together! This particular production was a highlight of 2003, not only because of the great cast and creative team, but also because I spent the winter near my hometown in sunny Florida! As the Purser, I “supervised the sailors” and managed to create a little stage mischief of my own. What fun!     Click on this link to read more info about Riverside Theatre.

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Billy Crocker (Michael Gruber) and Hope Harcourt (Natalie Cortez) share a special moment.

Billy Crocker (Michael Gruber) tries to convince Hope (Natalie Cortez) to break her engagement to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, as Hope’s mother (Anita Flanagan) looks on.

The Finale: Mr. Whitney (Jarlath Conroy), Billy (Michael Gruber) in Chinese disguise, Hope (Natalie Cortez), Reno (Ruth Gottschall) also iu Chinese disguise, and Evelyn (Wynn Harmon) wrap up loose ends at breakneck pace.

Here’s a rehearsal shot that was featured in The Vero Beach Press Journal. It’s the “Anything Goes” tap break (I’m right in the center of the picture.)

Another rehearsal shot for the newspaper. This one captures a fun moment between Michael Gruber and Tom Beckett.

Wynn Harmon celebrates Opening Night with the help of some beautiful flowers!

Ruth Gottschall has some between-show fun with a red wig that’s seen better days.

My hometown church choir director Ginnie Piechocniski and her husband Lenny made the trip up to Vero Beach to catch the show.

THE VERO BEACH PRESS-JOURNAL, 3/5/03 by Brian Bixler   There’s a running gag in Riverside Theatre’s production of the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes that has one of the characters, Moonface Martin, announcing, “There’s something wrong here,” each time he is outsmarted.   But for the audience, there’s something very right here.   This excellent production is a free-wheeling, frivolous trifle that floats along on a sea of Porter’s best-known compositions. [Director] Marcia Milgrom Dodge, also the show’s choreographer, keeps the 2 1/2-hour show sailing smoothly along with exciting tap-dancing production numbers, running gags, and enough bells and whistles to complement a very funny book....   But even the best material can fail in the wrong hands. Fortunately, Dodge’s cast is a capable group of experienced actors, none of whom strike a sour note in presenting Porter’s signature numbers. Heading the cast is red-haired Ruth Gottschall, who brings to mind Carol Burnett in her portrayal of Reno Sweeney.... Gottschall has a face for comedy, and her powerful voice, put to good use in a particularly rousing “Blow, Gabriel Blow,” sets the bar for the rest of the cast.   Leading man Michael Gruber is perfectly cast as the smitten broker Billy Crocker.... Gruber adopts the voice of a 1930s crooner that is well-suited for Porter’s classic melodies. A triple threat, he also acts and dances his way through the part, elegantly executing a soft shoe routine while singing “Easy to Love.”   Tom Beckett...as Moonface Martin...earns the largest share of laughs, especially in a scene where the dimwitted gangster is forced to think on his feet to dispose of a dog that mustn’t be seen by one of the ship’s passengers. It’s easily the most hilarious moment in the show.   Playing Moonface’s moll, Jeanna Marie Schweppe proves to be more than set decoration as sexpot blonde Erma when she sings “Buddie, Beware.” Wynn Harmon has several winning moments as Lord Oakleigh and breaks out near the end of the second act with “The Gypsy in Me,” that includes tango and flamenco-inspired choreography.   Natalie Cortez provides beautiful vocals to her duets with Gruber and shines solo with the song “Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye,” and Jarlath Conroy lends strong comic support to the production as prominent businessman Elisha Whitney.   Dodge’s choreography succeeds in recalling the elegance of 1930s movie musicals with exciting tap dancing and some cheek-to-cheek waltzing. A seven-member orchestra, with featured trumpet player Russell Carfagno, does justice to Porter’s famous score, and scenic designer Allen Moyer’s representational, porthole-peppered set will make you feel like one of the ship’s passengers.   Bon voyage.

FLORIDA TODAY, 3/15/03 by Pam Harbaugh   Music, dance and romance sparkle at Riverside Theatre’s top-drawer production of Anything Goes. The audience laps it up. And they should. The show is sensational.   [Director/choreographer Marcia Milgrom] Dodge lavishes the stage with bright, clever choreography, from sailors doing a quick tap and kick for a salute to nearly the entire cast hoofing it up in the creatively relentless “Anything Goes” number.   As the romantic lead Billy Crocker, performer Michael Gruber is as charming as they come. This guy has all the stuff of which Broadway stars are made. He’s handsome, has a beautiful singing voice, dances and brings charming warmth to his role of a lovesick stowaway intent on getting back his true love, Hope Harcourt (sung and danced like a dream by Natalie Cortez).   Ruth Gottschall [as Reno Sweeney] is a hoot...sassy and fun. Jeanne Marie Schweppe is a squeaky delight as gum-popping Erma. And Wynn Harmon is a charmer as proper Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Broadway actor Jarlath Conroy, a Helen Hayes Award nominee, brings a lot of physical humor to Elisha Whitney. Whew! And that’s just a start.   So, yes, this is a top-caliber show, one of Riverside’s best. Go. You’ll enjoy.