 The
Fine Arts Department at Horizon High School added another shining gold star to
their remarkable list of accomplishments with their spring musical for 2007,
"Anything Goes". With music and lyrics by the incomparable Cole
Porter and book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse,
the story concerns the shenanigans on a cruise ship bound for London from New
York. As directed by Horizon's distinguished Mr. Jay Seller, this slick
production made for an enjoyable evening for the audience.
Among the characters on board: an evangelizing nightclub singer, Reno Sweeney
(delightfully played by Bethany Kelly); a love-sick stowaway, Billy Crocker
(Louis Casados); a second-rate gangster on the lam, Moonface Martin (Pat
Wills),
and the ingénue Hope Harcourt (Ashley Dean). Horizon's production was
well-paced and the jokes seemed to come one on top of the other, truly allowing
the show to stand solidly, even though it is over 70 years old. With
choreography by Ms. Jennifer Johnson, the show stayed in style and wowed with
its large tap dance number. It is wonderful to see high school students gaining
tap skills that they will need as they continue to pursue musical theatre.
There were some top-notch performances by many of the show's principal players.
Louis Casados a stand-out as Billy, who was last seen by this reviewer in
Horizon's production of Camelot, has grown leaps and bounds in just 2 years
time. Great things are in store for this young man, who carried this
well-known character with Astaire-like confidence and a simply
gorgeous singing voice. Bethany Kelly, a senior at Horizon, expertly
played Reno Sweeney, showing enough depth to pull off the character's softer
side yet laying it on thick for the show's killer number, "Blow Gabriel
Blow". Hilariously, delightfully cast Justin Melton (are you really
in 9th grade?- wow!) and Melynie Campbell as Elisha Whitney and Evangeline
Harcourt were the perfect partners, playing their characters to their comic
hilt. Ashley Dean was the sweet-voiced Hope Harcourt and Anthony Gianna
the equally lyrical Captain. James Miller was stuffy perfection as Lord
Evelyn Oakleigh; his rendition of "The Gypsy in Me" practically
brought down the house. Pat Wills, who played Moonface Martin, will surely
carry the memories of his audience's reactions to "Be Like the
Bluebird" with him to Casper College next year. He plans to major in
musical theatre. One particular standout from the chorus was definitely
Noah Strozier as a tap-dancing Sailor who smiled his way through the entire
show, lighting up the stage with an amazing smile with each number. The
vocals were strong when the entire chorus sang together without being
overpowering, and Mr. Larry Meerdink as Horizon's Vocal Director has much to be
proud of with this production.
The orchestra for Horizon's production, under the direction of Mr. Bob
Wagner,
was the crowning glory to the show. Although occasionally the instruments
overpowered the voices, the sound reinforcement helped and the orchestra not
only played beautifully, but seemed to enjoy Cole Porter's music immensely.
Congratulations to the cast and crew at Horizon High for sailing through a
delightful show. It is apparent you all enjoyed the voyage!
Performed February 22-24, 2007.
Tammy Franklin
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
Reno Sweeney: Bethany Kelly
Hope Harcourt: Ashley Dean
Evangeline
Harcourt: Melynie Campbell
Lord Evelyn Oakleigh: James Miller
Elisha
Whitney: Justin Melton
Billy Crocker: Louis Casados
Moonface Martin: Pat
Wills
Erma: Catherine Chengery
Luke: James Chestnut
John: Derek Miles
S.S. American:
Ship's Captain: Anthony Gianna
Ship's Purser:
Ashley
Pennington
Angel Purity: Brittany Truax
Angel Chastity: Nikki
Romero
Angel Charity: Danielle Fulgham
Angel Virtue: Desiree Brown
Angel
Faith: Sara Cobb
Angel Joy: Sarah Reynolds
Sailor #1: Brant Crosby
Sailor #2: John Caraway
Sailor #3: Noah Strozier
Sailor #4: Kevin
Lerma
Sailor #5: Niko Gonzales
Sailor #6: VJ Lucero
Fred: Justin
Wood
Henry T. Dobson: David Bonicelle
Reporter #1: Danielle
Brown
Reporter #2: Sara Latham
News Photographer: Megan Sullivan
FBI
Agent #1: Sam Varvir
FBI Agent #2: Tasha Trembath
Passenger/Old Lady: Elise
Kelly
Director: Mr. Jay Seller
Vocal Director: Mr. Larry
Meerdink
Orchestra Director: Mr. Bob Wagner
House Manager: Mrs. Brittany
Wallis
Technical Director: Mr. Glenn Ashley
Choreographer: Ms. Jennifer
Johnson
Lighting & Sound Design: Mr. Mark Payne & Mr. Jason Hoke
Lighting Director: Chris Hong
Sound Director: Mr. Mark Payne
Technical
Crew:
Anthony Gianna, Louis Casados, Derek Epstein, James Miller, Bethany
Kelly, Justin Melton, Pat Wills, James Chestnut, Derek Miles, Anthony Gianna,
Ashley Penington, Niko Gonzales, David Bonicelle
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