Theatre Review

Nostalgic, dated ‘Anything Goes’ at Ocean State Theatre

By Don Fowler
Posted 5/6/16

There are some interesting facts in the Ocean State Theatre program for Cole Porter’s 1930’s hit musical.

The original book by P.G. Wodehouse had to be rewritten after a disastrous cruise ship …

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Theatre Review

Nostalgic, dated ‘Anything Goes’ at Ocean State Theatre

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There are some interesting facts in the Ocean State Theatre program for Cole Porter’s 1930’s hit musical.

The original book by P.G. Wodehouse had to be rewritten after a disastrous cruise ship fire.

The libretto has been rewritten three times. The original was in 1934, followed by a 1962 revival, a 1978 revival, and the latest in 2011.

Cole Porter wrote most of the music and lyrics while staying at Newport’s Rosecliff.

Does this make the popular musical dated? Most certainly! Enjoying it today is like a nostalgic trip, filled with cornball humor and a plot that playwrights wouldn’t think of using today.

Why is the musical still produced? Because many people like cornball humor and nostalgia, and they just love the grand old Cole Porter songs.

And where do you get three-for-the-price-of-one love stories in a single production?

And where do you find songs like “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Easy to Love,” “It’s De-Lovely” and the title song, “Anything Goes?”

Director Amiee Turner has assembled a large and talented group of actors/singers/dancers on a utilitarian set that mirrored the 2011 revival, with some classy vintage costumes by Emily Taradash.

The dialogue is loaded with puns, word-play and groaners that require perfect timing to be effective. Some of the actors were a bit hesitant on press night, but that is certain to tighten up by the time you read this.

The humor is often risqué and there was no such thing as political correctness in the ’30s, especially with the Chinese. And slapping a woman on the behind was not considered sexual harassment.

Beside the three love stories, we have a stowaway (Nate Suggs), his true love (Jade Genga of East Greenwich), a gangster (Dennis Setteducati) and a passenger list of many eccentrics.

While I found the book to be a bit over the top, this production is well worth seeing if only for the unforgettable Cole Porter music.

There are a couple of splendid dance productions and couples-dancing that enhance the musical, but it is Porter’s music that makes the show sing.

Jessica Wagner, as Reno Sweeney, sure knows how to belt out a tune, especially a Cole Porter tune. We enjoyed her as Eliza Doolittle in OSTC’s “My Fair Lady” and further enjoyed her powerful, soulful voice as Reno.

The Tony-Award winning show is at Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd. in Warwick through May 22. Tickets are $39-$59. Call 921-6800 for reservation.

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