Reviews: Anything Goes at Yorktown HS
Written by Anjali Modak of Falls Church High School
Tap shoes clattered, sequins sparkled, and laughter rippled through the audience like waves on an open sea in Yorktown High School's dazzling production of Anything Goes.
Set aboard an ocean liner where love triangles, mistaken identities, and outrageous disguises collide as passengers scheme and sing their way to happily-ever-after in Anything Goes. From the very first notes to the final bow, the production was a voyage of love, disguise, and pure joy.
At the helm of this glittering ship was Reno Sweeney, played with magnetic charisma and effortless elegance by Bella Houston. Houston was a force of nature. Her powerhouse vocals in "I Get a Kick Out of You" held extreme clarity and nuance, and her fearless command of the stage during the title number "Anything Goes" was spellbinding. Houston's jazz-infused stylings and high-kick-heavy dance breaks were utterly breathtaking. But more than that, her comedic timing and connection with each character revealed a Reno who was not just a star, but the heart of the show.
Billy Crocker, played by Colin Lee, charmed the house with his polished, debonair style (curated by Mary Frances Dempsey, Cassidy Greenwalt, Peyton Olsen, and Vivi Parsons) and seamless transatlantic accent. His yearning glances toward Hope Harcourt, played by Elizabeth Marshall, and his frantic costume-swapping hijinks kept the audience in stitches. Lee's chemistry with Marshall brought sweetness and sincerity to the show's otherwise chaotic pace. Their vocally stunning duet, "It's De-Lovely," provided a tender pause in the sea of slapstick.
George Papantoniou, playing Moonface Martin, was a riot in his role, delivering his lines with delightful buffoonery and surprising warmth. Papantoniou mastered the art of lovable mischief. His partner-in-crime, Erma LaTour played with comedic genius and a wink of danger by Francesca Klesius brought down the house in her solo "Buddy Beware." The number ended with a visually stunning tableau: Klesius, confidently perched on the Captain's shoulders, sporting his sailor hat like a crown. It was a moment of brilliant visual storytelling, exemplifying the show's theme of female power through desirability and Klesius's effortless dominance over every room she entered.
Special mention must go to Drew Wright, who portrayed Lord Evelyn Oakley with wide-eyed hilarity and stunning comedic precision. His descent from polite aristocrat to lovesick sailor-boy in "The Gypsy in Me" was on full display with Wright's awkward sensuality and rolling of his hips.
The ensemble was a kaleidoscope of energy, from the tap-dancing sailors in "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" to the chic sailor girl's eccentric movements. The stage even had built-in microphones on the floor to amplify the effect of tapping shoes. The choreography was ambitious packed with lifts, pirouettes, and even a tap-off in Act I that had the audience gasping. The strength of the dancers' physical storytelling was remarkable, even in nonverbal transitions and dances, the character's inner lives shone through with clarity and precision.
Yorktown High School's Anything Goes was exceptionally cohesive. Every performer moved with confidence and purpose, and the show never lagged or lost its luster. From tap shoes to top hats, Yorktown High School proved that when talent meets commitment, anything really does go.
Written by Janney Cooper of St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
All aboard! Delightful dance numbers, delicious dramatic irony, and de-lovely decor all combined to create the dazzling spectacle that was Yorktown High School's production of "Anything Goes", which showcased the power of love with comedic flair and bravado.
Debuting at the Alvin Theatre on Broadway in 1934, "Anything Goes" features music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by P.G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton. However, the script has been revised multiple times throughout the years to modify some of the more dated elements. The musical has been adapted for the screen on several occasions, including in the 1936 Paramount Pictures film. The story is set aboard the SS American ocean liner on its voyage from New York to London, following young Wall Street Broker Billy Crocker on his quest to win over his true love: engaged heiress Hope Harcourt.
Overall, Yorktown's production was well-paced, with crisp scene changes—a testament to the stage crew (Ava Check, Carissa Holmburg, and Nadija Trefz)—allowing for a lack of lengthy lulls in the story, a testament also to the actors. While the principal performers were each impressive in their own right, what really tied the show together was the stellar ensemble, each member of which was consistently animated and visibly committed to the story. The Angels ensemble stood out with their ability to remain in character while staying on top of challenging choreography in the many lively dance numbers present. The Angels found a clear balance between grabbing hold of the spotlight when appropriate, but also taking a step back to frame the leads and move the story along.
Speaking of leads, Bella Houston as Reno Sweeney captivated the audience with her ability to convey her character's complex emotions through song, and implementing physicality to do so. What's more, her vocals themselves were impeccable, especially praiseworthy given the number of songs she was involved in. Houston certainly blew audiences away in numbers such as "Blow, Gabriel, Blow". Additionally, Billy Crocker, played by Colin Lee, demonstrated his range by keenly using awkward body language to depict his nerves, while also holding his own in the dance numbers.
Regarding the supporting cast, George Papantoniou (Moonface Martin) and Francesca Klesius (Erma LaTour) maintained a strong use of accents and vocal changes to evince their characters' affinity for disguises and criminal activity. Papantoniou in particular humorously highlighted his comedic timing skills. Another notable vocalist was Elizabeth Marshall, who portrayed Hope Harcourt. Marshall managed to evoke immense sympathy for her character's situation via her enthralling and intimate singing voice.
Of course, there would be no show without the hard work of the technical and design teams. The publicity team (Livea Carmen, Francesca Kleisus, Evie Pair, Katie Shore) illustrated their marketing talents with their large social media presence and a hand-painted poster. Costumers Cassidy Greenwalt, Peyton Olsen, and Vivi Parsons selected and crafted gorgeous outfits befitting each character. They particularly modified (sewed and/or hand-dyed) Reno's "You're the Top" dress and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" corset, two stunning pieces. Finally, the hair and makeup team (Mary Frances Dempsey, Cassidy Greenwalt, Peyton Olsen, Vivi Parsons) showcased tremendous attention to detail with their focus on period-accurate makeup and hair, as well as the wigs used for several actors.
Through polished performances, devoted designers, and a cohesively vivacious vision, Yorktown High School's "Anything Goes" taught that love can conquer all (but also that a ship is a precarious place to pursue it).