Anything Goes at Hopebox Theatre

I was really excited to see Anything Goes at the Hopebox Theatre last night and I had so much fun with this delightful, delicious, and de-lovely production! A group of eccentric characters board the S.S. Jacobson for a voyage from New York to London, including Reno Sweeney (Samantha Wursten), a popular nightclub singer and former evangelist, her friend Billy Crocker (Daylen Bills), a Wall Street broker who stows away to stop the wedding of the woman he loves while eluding his boss Elisha J. Whitney, Hope Harcourt (Kayleigh Eagle), the object of Billy's affection who is engaged to the wealthy but hapless Sir Evelyn Oakleigh (Ethan Hoffmann) to please her mother Evangeline Harcourt (Amelia Tilley), "Moonface" Martin (Stefan Kurzius), a gangster who his proud of his status as Public Enemy #13, his moll Erma Latour (Kenna Ford), and Spit (Isaac Nelson) and Dippy (Eli Packer), two wayward boys who con most of the passengers. Hijinks, and many big song and dance numbers featuring the music of Cole Porter, ensue when Reno and Moonface try to break Hope's engagement so she can marry Billy. The story is chaotic and convoluted with a variety of disguises, mistaken identities, fake confessions, and love triangles and the songs sometimes feel shoehorned in but the show is so much fun and is perfect as a form of escapist entertainment. The musical numbers are absolutely phenomenal and I especially loved the energetic tap dancing in "Anything Goes" and "Blow, Gabriel Blow," the clever use of props in "Friendship," and the swoonworthy romance in "You'd Be So Easy to Love" and "It's De-Lovely." I was incredibly impressed because the choreography integrates one of the biggest casts I've seen at this theatre into a small space very well and the ensemble is outstanding. The lead performances are also excellent starting with Wursten who plays Reno Sweeney with a bit of sass that is really fun to watch. I particularly loved her comedic physicality and facial expressions in "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "You're the Top" and her powerful vocals and tap dancing blew me away in "Anything Goes" and "Blow, Gabriel Blow." Eagle, who has a beautiful voice, is perfect as the romantic ingenue Hope and she has tremendous chemistry with Bills who is very charming as Billy. Kurzius and Hoffmann have smaller roles but they steal every scene they are in, especially during the songs "Be Like the Bluebird" and "The Gypsy in Me," respectively (the latter made me laugh out loud). This features some gorgeous period costumes with lots of tuxedos and sparkly gowns. My favorites were the blue tea length dresses worn by the female ensemble in "It's De-Lovely" and "All Through the Night." Finally, I think this is one of the best sets I've seen at Hopebox because it is quite elaborate with the prow of a ship (complete with railings at the edge of the stage) and multiple doors upstage leading to cabins (there are a lot of hilarious comings and goings through these doors). As with every production at the Hopebox Theatre, the proceeds will go to someone battling cancer in the community (go here to meet the recipient for this show, Kirsten Jacobson). I loved this production and highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) because, not only will you be entertained, you will be supporting a worthwhile cause. It runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through September 5.