Anything Goes

Look, I know this was well-intentioned.

Get some big names in a production, film it, screen it in cinemas as a way of trying to coax people back into cinemas and theatres after the pandemic.

It was very well-intentioned, and that intention is admirable, don't get me wrong.

Unfortunately the production then had to be good.

It is not. The lead isn't great, the musical numbers aren't much better. It drags along at a snails pace, and if they were going to film it, why not wait until they had an audience who were up for it??

It's always a tricky thing trying to capture live theatre on film, but musicals tend to be able to do it more successfully.

This one didn't.

One of Sutton Foster's gifts is her willingness to let her natural goofiness show, and this seems to free the entire cast to express so much joy.

During the Covid pandemic, I've been delighted by the proliferation of filmed performances. You get the opportunity to study the brilliant efforts of actors in secondary roles.

In this case, try focusing on groups of performers like the Angels or the Sailor Quartet. Watch for the six main sailors and the four angels in each of the dance numbers -- they tell Billy and Hope's story so beautifully, and they convince us of their devotion to Erma.

You realize that, given the opportunity, many of these performers could play the heck out of leading roles. More theatrical productions, please!

Sure, some might say it is dated, but then you denying yourself the chance to immerse in a fun fantasy world that touches on classic movies, plays and music. The cast is fantastic. Erma's towering showpieces is a show stopper. Lindsay as Moonface is also invigoratingly hilarious with every line and nuisance. And, the chemistry with those too is extraordinary. Sutton Foster is no Ethel Merman nor Patti Lupone, but who cares, she put her own spin on it, and is a more naturalistic performer. Even when she and Lindsay brake character. One might say her dancing might seem a bit ungraceful, but in some way, the choreography should be a tad looser in the non-tap dances. Classic Staging, great side characters performances. And, the two love interests, just don't get in the way of the real fun and just move the plot along. As ever, this is a video of stage performance and has some limits there, but it is hardly noticeable and still feel open enough to just get along with the zingers. Bravo.

I love most musicals, but I certainly couldn't recommend this one.

Given the number of classic Cole Porter songs in the show, and a talented lead actress, I assumed this had to be well worth watching. I was wrong. The acting was cartoonish, with the performers virtually winking at the audience. The corny dialogue was like something out of a bad vaudeville routine, the attempts at humor fell flat, and the juvenile plot was dreadful. The sets were uninspired and one-dimensional. And there was virtually no choreography during most of the songs, with the performers just standing there and singing. The vocal talent was about the only thing this show has going for it, but it was wasted in this effort.

It was so weak, that I eventually stopped watching less than halfway through.

Music by Cole Porter, P G Wodehouse wrote the book, some of the best musical tunes, fabulous performances, if you can't get to the theatre then this is the next best thing and I cannot recommend it too highly.

By the end I felt uplifted! It is, for me, one of the real greats of the theatre, alongside Kiss Me Kate and Crazy for you, to send you away with tunes in your head and a smile on your face!