About Anything Goes
Directed by Jonathan Young
Music Director: Marc Lionetti
Choreographer: Melissa Ford
Performance Dates: July 17 – Aug 2
Anything Goes, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, is a classic musical comedy with an original book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, later revised by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Set on a transatlantic ocean liner, it follows stowaway Billy Crocker's attempts to win the heart of heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to the stuffy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, with the help of nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy #13, "Moonface" Martin.
Audition Preparation
Monologue
Please prepare a one-minute comedic monologue, memorized.
If you do not have a prepared comedic monologue, sides from the show will be available for you to read.
Song
Please prepare 32 bars (approximately 30 seconds) of a song in the style of the show. For song style, we’re looking for material rooted in jazz—think upbeat standards, witty lyrics, and a playful sense of musicality that fits the world of Anything Goes. Songs should feel stylistically similar to Cole Porter’s score (even if they are not written by Cole Porter). Please bring your accompaniment track on your phone or personal device (no a cappella and no sheet music). A Bluetooth speaker will be available for you to connect to.
Movement & Dance Call
Saturday, February 28th at 4:30 PM
Callbacks
If you are invited to callbacks, they will be held on Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 PM.
Please note: This production utilizes the 2022 revised script, in which the race of the characters is not pivotal to the plot. Actors of all races, ethnicities, shapes, sizes, ages, abilities, and genders are encouraged to audition.
Character Breakdown
Lead Roles
RENO SWEENEY - A charismatic nightclub singer and former evangelist. Leading Lady type. RENO is clever, funny, and confident. Strong singing and dancing (tap) required. Vocal range: Alto/Belt.
BILLY CROCKER – A young businessman who is in love with Hope. BILLY is charismatic and charming; the Leading Man Type. Strong singing required and should be able to dance well. Tapper preferred. Vocal range: Baritenor/Tenor.
HOPE HARCOURT - A beautiful American heiress and object of Billy’s affection but engaged to Lord Evelyn. Ingenue type. Strong singing and dancing required. Vocal range: Soprano.
LORD EVELYN OAKLEIGH - Hope’s energetic, quirky, and good-natured aristocratic fiancé. English accent, strong singing and the ability to move well also required. Vocal range: Baritenor/Tenor.
MOONFACE MARTIN - A loveable gangster; “Public Enemy Number 13”. Character type. Requires strong comic timing, plus the ability to sing and move well. Tapper preferred. Vocal range: Baritenor/Tenor.
Supporting Roles
ERMA LATOUR - A playful, independent, impulsive, and loveably clueless “dame” – a typical 20’s “gun moll” with a ‘Joisey’ accent. Character type. Strong singing and dancing required. Tapper preferred. Vocal range: Mezzo/Belt.
EVANGELINE HARCOURT – 50s-60s. Hope’s overbearing mother concerned with money and social status. Vocal range: Any.
ELISHA WHITNEY – 50s-60s. A successful Wall Street banker who is nearsighted. Billy’s boss. Vocal range: Baritone
Featured Roles
REGINALD STRONG – Captain of the S. S. American. Ability to dance well is a plus. Tapper preferred. Vocal range: Baritone.
PURSER – The captain’s right hand, in and out throughout the entire show. Ability to dance well is a plus. Tapper preferred. Vocal range: Any.
SPIT – Rascally New York street tough. Loves gambling and nonsense. Ability to dance well is a plus. Tapper preferred. Vocal range: Any.
DIPPY – Another Rascally New York street tough. Also loves gambling and nonsense. Ability to dance well is a plus. Tapper preferred. Vocal range: Any
Ensemble Roles
Seeking strong dancers/tappers to play Sailors, Reno’s Angels, male quartet, passengers, reporters, bartender, FBI agents, and others.
