Cassie Cox
‘Anything Goes’ this year in North Decatur High School’s musical production.
The show is set on the “S.S. American,” an ocean liner traveling from New York to England. Reno Sweeney, an evangelist turned nightclub singer, is onboard in hopes of saving the passengers, but her team of Angels appear to be the most sinful. Billy Crocker, whom Sweeney is in love with, goes on the ship to say “Bon Voyage,” but notices a woman he once had a rendezvous with in a taxi. Hope Harcourt is shocked to see Crocker, as she plans to marry Lord Evelyn Oakleigh during the trip.
Crocker stows away on the ship and gangster “Moonface” Martin lends him a passport as Public Enemy Number 1, “Snake Eyes” Johnson. The passengers welcome the gangsters as if they are celebrities.
In the end, identities are revealed, but nobody is as they seem. The cast of nearly 45, along with a pit orchestra of eight, will present the songs “Anything Goes”, “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and “Public Enemy”, along with many solos and duets.
“We like the music and thought it would be fun to choreograph. This musical is very funny, and we wanted something comical this year,” Amy Loehmer said of reasons for selecting this show.
The cast consists of Sarah Johnston as Reno Sweeney; Olivia Gehrich as Hope Harcourt; Elizabeth Lecher as Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt; Scott Menefee as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh; Kyle Wallpe as Elisha Whitney; Clark Lecher as Billy Crocker; Nick Gehrich as Moonface Martin; Amanda Lawlis as Erma; Alex Boggs as the ship’s captain; Dylan Koors as the ship’s purser; Lucas Hartwell as Luke; Josh Sparks as John; Hannah Browning, Abby Stewart, Mollie Stephens and Shelby Neimeyer as the Angels; Nick Stewart as the bartender; and Jeff White, Frieddy Minning, Matt White and Thomas Shobe as the sailor quartet.
There are more than 20 students in the chorus.
“The students have seemed to enjoy themselves during practice. They were not familiar with the show at first since there is not a movie version to help them visualize, but I believe they like the music now. I think the community will enjoy the show and be proud of all the work the students have put into it,” Dan Borns commented.
The students will be doing four performances of Cole Porter’s ‘Anything Goes’ Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the high school. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults. To reserve a seat, contact Melinda Heger at (812) 663-4204. Tickets will also be available at the door.
