Anything Goes at The Straz

Last night my husband and I had the pleasure of seeing Cole Porter’s Anything Goes at The Straz Center in Tampa. I love this show because it includes many of Cole Porter’s classic songs like; “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “You’re the Top”, “Friendship”, “It’s De-Lovely”, “Anything Goes” and “Blow, Gabriel Blow”. I have seen Anything Goes a few times but this was the first professional production I had seen and all I can say is, “Wow!”

The entire production of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Tony-winning Broadway revival of Anything Goes was just amazing! The cast, led by the extremely talented Rachel York as Rena Sweeney was almost perfection. Rachel, a perfect triple threat steals the show from scene one as she effortlessly performs a role seemingly written for her. Fred Applegate’s Moonface Martin was very Nathan Lane-esque in his delivery. Josh Franklin was very believeable as the love-struck Billy Crocker and his vocals matched well with York’s. The only slight chink in the armor of this cast was Alex Finke as Hope Harcourt. Alex has a vibrato that just won’t quit, which unfortunately causes some of her lyrics to get lost.

Everything about this production was top notch, the sets, the lighting-we especially liked the mood enhancing colored porthole lights, the amazing pit orchestra and the choreography. One of the many things that I love about Anything Goes is that it includes some great production numbers including the tap extravaganza of the title song, “Anything Goes” at the end of Act One. Check out this awesome montage by Roundabout Theatre Company.

Anything Goes will be at The Straz Center in Tampa through this Sunday, March 17th. You can save 30% off the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances with promo code PORTER30.  Want to bring the family?  Then consider going to Broadway Family Night on Wednesday, March 13.  For this performance only you can get one free child’s ticket (ages 12 and under) with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket. Come early for free pre-show, family friendly activities and stay after for a free talkback with the artists. Restrictions and charges apply to both offers.  For tickets and more information, call the Straz Center Ticket Office at 813.229.7827.   This show is recommended for age 8+.

If you aren’t in Tampa, the tour is heading to Durham, NC, Fayetteville, AK, Pittsburgh, PA, Chicago, IL, St Paul, MN, Grand Rapids, MI, St Louis, MO, Washington, DC,  Schenectady, NY, and Toronto, ON and you can find out about dates and tickets on the Roundabout Theatre Company’s website. If you love classic Broadway musicals then I suggest you go see Anything Goes.

Disclosure: We were guests of The Straz Center as part of the Tampa Bay Bloggers group. All opinions are 100% mine.