The North Fork Community Theatre’s dazzling, successful production of Anything Goes is the essence of everything wonderful about community theater. If you want to see a show, have fun, and go home happy, get a ticket to this show, running through May 31st! Congratulations to Director Dina Mondello and Producer Mary Motto Kalich. This show is not a Broadway Show; in some unique ways, it’s better. The actors are East End neighbors proudly displaying their talent and love of performing, and it is that love that launches this production into a feel-good experience for the audience. The classic Cole Porter musical score also helps, and Musical Director Andrew Lenahan is to be credited for that
The important role of Reno Sweeney is brilliantly and energetically played by Alyssa Kelly. Her dancing alone is worth seeing the show twice. She is also the Choreographer, and a “wow” for the tap-dancing production number that ends Act One.
Andrew Lenahan plays Billy Crocker with a genuine warmth that wins the audience throughout the show. He sings, he entertains, he does it all.
Erin Plitt ignites the show with her vocals as Hope Harcourt. Marie Sellers adds panache to the show, playing Hope’s mother, Evangeline Harcourt. On opening night, the role of Elisha Whitney was admirably played by Kevin Magee, and iconic Mike Hipp will also play this role in later shows.
The dancing and singing “Reno’s Angels” had their moments, stealing some scenes. Purity is played by Alissa Dabrowski, Charity is played by Esmeralda Cabrera, Chastity by Meghan Duffy, and Virtue by Jocelyn Podlas.
Big cheers to Dylan Finder as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, Michael Drozd as Moonface Martin, Christine Martinez as Erma Latour, Anderson Hipp & Rozzy Bliss as Spit and Dippy, Tom Rosante as the Captain, Aleki Lui as the Purser.
Others shining on stage in their roles are: Featured Dancers – Nora Andersen, Reagan Blydenburgh. Then the Sailors – Lily Ferguson, Aleki Lui, Sean McAllister, Josh Beiling, Adler McGough. Playing Freda / Old Lady in Wheelchair is Meredith Kennedy. The Minister Henry T. Dobson is played by Josh Beiling. The FBI Agent is Amanda Sena-Ayzenberg, the Photographer is Reagan Blydenburgh, and the Comedian & Newspaper Reporter is Chris deReeder. They give their all to the show.
It takes a village to do a musical, and it is important in a review to mention those not on stage. Such as Assistant Directors Stephen Ness and Eileen Trilli. The Brilliant Choreographer, Alyssa Kelly. Stage Manager – Becky Adams-Korn with Stage Hands – Chris deReeder, Josh Beiling, and Sean McAllister. Costume Design was done by Stephen Ness and Mia O’Connor, along with Costume Coordinators Deanna Andes and Dina Mondello, with Costume Hands: Carol Edward, Jeanne Arnold, Virginia Cava, Kim Click, Olga Kammerer, Kim Hammond, and the wig master Katie Wallace. Handling the tech side was Technical Director Robert Taylor.
