Mercy McAuley High School's ANYTHING GOES
- 24 hours ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 37 minutes ago
Review by Chloe Call, Milford High School Critic Team
Love is in the air...but so are scandal, mischief, and tap dance aboard the S.S. American! The warm sunshine and Atlantic breeze were tangible in Mercy McAuley High School's theater once the curtains opened and revealed the magnificent ocean liner where the characters of Anything Goes quickly began their wild antics.
Although it originally premiered in 1934, Anything Goes remains a classic musical that still holds up alongside many other golden-age masterpieces. With side-splitting jokes and enthralling song and dance, a luxurious ambiance decorates the ship through Billy Crocker's quest to prevent Hope Harcourt's arranged marriage while avoiding being recognized as a stowaway. In addition to Reno, he teams up with clumsy gangsters Moonface Martin and Erma and eventually succeeds in stealing Hope's heart.
As a whole, the cast and crew of Mercy McAuley presented an exceptional production, both behind the scenes and onstage. Whether frills, sparkles, tulle, or satin, costumes were utilized by energetic characters to express gestures, further adding intrigue to musical numbers and scenes alike. Props enhanced comedy and enriched scenery while the actors utilizing them showcased excellent timing, personality, and grandeur.
From her first note, Lydia Wright dominated the stage as the poised heroine Reno Sweeney. Wright effortlessly balanced comedy, humor, and confidence in every scene that she appeared in. She presented her vocal talent and terrific dancing with remarkable stage presence. Reno's good friend Billy Crocker was skillfully played by Henry Weghorst. Each moonlit duet or unsuccessful escapade was consistently entertaining, and his acting, singing, and dancing were thoroughly engaging.
Clark Sayre and AJ Gehrum portrayed the comedic duo of Moonface Martin and Erma respectively. Their ad-libs were hysterical, and they complemented each other so well. Meanwhile, every group number filled the stage with liveliness and a sense of adventure and travel. Among an incredibly talented ensemble, Ruby Gehrum and Avier Carter presented meticulously clean and impressively dynamic dance skills throughout the entire production.
On the tech side, the set—led by Julianna Duker, Dominique Hohmeister, and Jaden Jordan—stood out for its craftsmanship and utility. The smokestacks upstage added depth to the already impressive scenery, while the staircases on either side allowed for gags, unique choreography, and hiding spots. It creatively showcased corners of the ship and allowed for insights into the interior of the ship and the antics taking place inside it. Additionally, the lighting team—led by Alani Southerland—did an outstanding job of advancing the plot in a visually appealing way. They highlighted the shift from lively nightlife to daytime shenanigans. String lights on the ship's deck signaled mood shifts aesthetically. Streaks of pink in the sky hinted at the potential for love. Details like when the spotlight in the opening number closed in on Reno when she was left alone with her inner thoughts added an integral layer of storytelling.
Ultimately, Anything Goes offered mistaken identity, criminal activity, and relationship drama, and Mercy McAuley High School delivered it all, complete with sparkly costumes and kick lines.
Review by Charlotte Blase, Clark Montessori High School
As lights rose over the stage, Mercy McAuley's cast and crew extended a generous welcome aboard the S.S. American! Bustling with hilarious antics and catchy tunes, this production of Anything Goes made quite a splash.
A now-classic musical written and set in the 1930s with songs from Cole Porter and a book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, Anything Goes follows Reno Sweeney, a nightclub singer, and Billy Crocker, a young businessman, aboard a cruise ship setting sail from New York to London. The two pursue their respective, yet hilariously intertwining love lives, but not without some trouble—including run-ins with lords, ladies, famous gangsters, and meddling mothers-in-law—along the way. However, nothing will stop these two from letting love and prosperity set sail on their own terms!
Mercy McAuley High School rose to the occasion, smoothly coasting through this particularly demanding production. From incredibly complex and detailed technical elements from the crew to the shining performances of each and every performer on the stage, the effort put forth by this team was truly outstanding! The collaboration between cast and crew made for quite the 'de-lovely' performance.
Lydia Wright was simply stunning as leading lady Reno Sweeney. With powerful breaks of emotion, impeccable comedic timing, and shining vocal ability, Wright dominated the stage with a uniquely striking talent! Her prowess is particularly strong in numbers such as "Anything Goes" and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow." Alongside Wright was Henry Weghorst as the charmingly cunning Billy Crocker. Weghorst was wonderfully mischievous, even naughty in the role, as he wrapped characters and audience members alike right around his finger, with a smooth and commanding performance. The two complemented each other perfectly, shining especially in duet "You're the Top."
Ready to bring the chaos on board, Clark Sayre and AJ Gehrum were hilariously nefarious as Moonface Martin and Erma, respectively. With their perfect comedic chemistry, the pair brought the house down after each expertly timed bit. As heiress Hope Harcourt, Kara Reder was so sweetly earnest. Reder's bright, clear demeanor and voice perfectly complemented the endearingly lovestruck character! While gentle at first, Reder also brings a powerfully poignant feeling to the role, staying strong and true to Harcourt's emotional side.
A beautiful, intricate set was designed and built by a crew led by Julianna Duker, Jaden Jordan, and Dominique Hohmeister. Great attention to detail was paid, as each touch contributed to the overall charmingly antique effect, transporting the audience back to the 1930s. The crew made clever use of the stage, often using lights to expand upon and embellish the set. The production featured over 100 breathtakingly beautiful costumes, dozens of which were carefully designed and handmade by costume leads Lydia Abay, Summer Boerger, and Atlas Zimmer. All of these technical elements were brought together seamlessly, thanks to the stage management of Reagan Strickler.
Mercy McAuley's impressive production of Anything Goes was an incredible reminder to the audience about the importance of following their hearts and looking for something a little more delightful, delicious, and de-lovely in life.
Review by Hana Conte, The Summit Country Day School Critic Team
As the lights came up on the set of Mercy McAuley's Anything Goes, the audience was thrown back in time and across the sea into a world where stockbrokers can be mistaken for mobsters, angels tap dance across the deck of a ship, and love reigns supreme.
Anything Goes is one of the most famous Broadway shows ever produced. With the original production's 420-performance run and multiple revival casts, the show has been solidified among the ranks of all-time classics. The show follows a cast of Wall Street brokers, mobsters, and celebrities and the chaos that ensues when they're thrown together on a 1930s Atlantic crossing. Known for its humor, romance, and classic tap numbers, Anything Goes is an extravagant celebration of joy and love.
Tackling such a widely loved show is no easy feat, but Mercy McAuley's cast and crew took on the challenge and did nothing but excel. The massive ensemble and impressive principal cast tackled the show's ups and downs with grace and ease, their incredible energy and joy radiating from the stage from number to number, tap step to tap step.
The principal cast was made up of a formidable group of talented performers. Lydia Wright as Reno Sweeney was particularly engaging. Her impressive vocals paired with difficult choreography and a wide emotional range made for an excellent performance. Also notable is the performance of Henry Weghorst as Billy Crocker. The power duo punctuated the show with their strong moments and moving arcs as they both reach for their dreams and support each other.
The supporting cast also packed a punch with their performances. Mobsters Moonface Martin and Erma, played by Clark Sayre and AJ Gehrum, embodied their own hilarious personas while also delivering powerful solos and wide ranges. They added a wonderful hilarity and absurdity to the show that contrasted well with more serious arcs like that of Hope Harcourt, played by Kara Reder.
The crew also greatly contributed to the show's success. Atlas Zimmer and crew's costumes plunged the audience into the opulence and splendor of the '30s upper class. With characters like Reno Sweeney wearing a different extravagant outfit in almost every scene, the massive scope of their design added immersion and character to the actors' performances. Brinley Fearn and AJ Gehrum led the publicity team through an in-depth and highly successful campaign. The team showcased their graphic design skills through the creation of show logos and digital assets, and their social media posts reached program records of virality, all on top of a large interactive lobby display. The team's achievements are truly inspiring and reflect the optimistic attitude of the show.
Mercy McAuley's production of Anything Goes was a resounding success. The cast and crew flawlessly executed the classic story with joy and life, leaving the audience on their feet and thoroughly entertained.
Excerpts From Other Top Reviews
"Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, played by Jonathan Rubin, is a proper and somewhat unconventional English aristocrat who brings a unique delight to the show. Rubin's use of a high-pitched accent added to the humor of the character, creating many funny bits that enrich the overall performance."
-Anderson Byrd, Larry A. Ryle High School Critic Team
"It would be impossible to talk about this incredible performance without talking about Clark Sayre's performance as Moonface Martin. Every comedic bit landed perfectly, and even in a show that's mostly a comedy, his bits stood out above the rest every time. His partner in crime Erma, played by AJ Gehrum, was just as incredible. As the flirty sidekick of Moonface, Gehrum's chemistry with Sayre and all of her other castmates was incredible. Taking center stage in her song Buddie Beware showed that she too is a vocal powerhouse, and Gehrum did a great job making her role fun and memorable."
-Alexander Towner, Larry A. Ryle High School Critic Team
"The set designed by Julianna Duker, Dominique Hohmeister, and Jaden Jordan perfectly placed the audience in the lavish but also simple world of the S.S. American. The modular design utilized the space perfectly, transporting viewers to different places around the ship with ease. Likewise, the props designed by Abby Wirthwine were not only time-period accurate but also perfectly placed, allowing for effective and well-timed prop comedy among the actors."
-Averie Shutters, Milford High School Critic Team
"This production was obviously worked on with an amazing amount of effort, as the quality and charm of the sets, the costumes, and the overall enthusiasm of the cast made it an incredibly interesting watch. Even the ensemble had the energy to match the leads as they worked their magic."
-Luce Smith, Clark Montessori High School Critic Team