Amazing Tap Dance in a Lively Musical

Reviewed by Mary Alderson

If you’re a fan of old-fashioned musicals with lots of soaring songs and fast tap dancing, then you will love Shaw Festival’s Anything Goes. It debuted on Broadway in 1934 with the great Ethel Merman in the lead role. Since then, the script has been updated several times, and the show revived on Broadway, making this old favourite seem timeless.

Billy Crocker, a young New York stock-broker-in-training, has fallen in love with the recent debutante Hope Harcourt, who is about to set sail on an ocean liner for London. Billy stows away on the ship, hiding from his boss who’s also on the ship. His old friend, Reno Sweeney is on board as an evangelical, but she’s really a showgirl singer. They learn that Hope is actually engaged to a British Lord, Evelyn Oakleigh. So, Reno and a crook, Moonface (public enemy #13) try to help Billy in his quest to win Hope’s love.

You know it’s going to be a good show when the lights go down and the overture – a dynamic medley of Anything Goes’ great show tunes – makes you feel like getting up to dance. Musical Director Paul Sportelli and his orchestra of about 20 pieces are impressive.

Mary Antonini is strong as Reno Sweeney, the con-artist evangelist turned show-girl who lands herself a gig on the ship making the Atlantic crossing. Antonini can tap dance with the best, leading the big number “Anything Goes” coolly, without losing her breath.

The big song and dance show-stopper “Anything Goes” completes the first act. It is indeed a show-stopper with a standing ovation as Antonini leads the way and the entire cast taking part. It’s unusual to see the intermission begin with audience already on their feet.

Jeff Irving as the lovesick stowaway Billy Crocker keeps our attention as he tries to get Hope’s attention. Irving, a Shaw regular, is charming as usual. Playing Hope Harcourt is Celeste Catena, whose rich soprano voice is perfect in two numbers with Irving, “Easy to Love” and “It’s De-Lovely”.

The silly shenanigans and corny jokes are made hilarious by the comedic cast members, particularly the brilliant Michael Therriault as the shyster Moonface posing as a clergyman. He has perfect comedic timing. Joining him in the funny stuff are Kristi Frank as Erma Latour and two swindlers, Kelly Wong as John and Matt Alfano as Luke.

A special shout-out to Reno Sweeney’s evangelical singer-dancers: Chastity (Jaden Kim), Charity (Jade Repeta), Purity (Kiera Sangster), and Virtue (Mikayla Stradiotto) – they make spreading the good word great fun. Adding to the comedy are Shawn Wright as the aging Elisha Whitney, Allan Louis as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, and Sharry Flett as the very proper Mrs. Harcourt, with her dog!

The set is well done, with a rotating stage to show most of the ocean liner. The Festival Theatre stage offers plenty of room for dancing and the action.

Credit goes to director-choreographer Kimberley Rampersad for putting together a strong cast of triple threats to make this old favourite musical work for new generation. I feel fairly safe in saying that this is one of the best musicals I’ve seen on the Shaw stage. It’s well-worth the trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake, and have the chance to enjoy that beautiful town, decked out in colourful flowers of all kinds. “It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s de-lovely!”

Anything Goes continues in repertory at The Shaw Festival Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake until October 4. For tickets, visit www.shawfest.com or call 1-800-511-SHAW(7429).

Photos: 1. Mary Antonini as Reno Sweeney with the cast of Anything Goes.
                 2. Michael Therriault as Moonface Martin, Kristi Frank as Erma Latour and Jeff Irving as Billy Crocker in Anything Goes. Photos by David Cooper.

 Anything Goes
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse
New Book by Crouse & John Weidman
Directed and choreographed by Kimberley Rampersad
Musical Direction by John Sportelli
Performed by Mary Antonini, Michael Therriault, Jeff Irving, Celeste Catena, Shawn Wright, Sharry Flett, Kristi Frank, Allan Louis et al.
Shaw Festival Theatre
Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
May 2 to October 4, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson