Call it a staged Bon Voyage! The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Players are about to set sail on the S.S. American in their production of Cole Porter’s classic golden age musical Anything Goes.

Originally produced in 1934, starring Broadway icon Ethel Merman and many years later, Sutton Foster, the story follows a group of passengers aboard the S.S. American ocean liner. The original Merman character, bawdy lounge singer and evangelist Reno Sweeney (RFH’s Hailey Blum), travels from New York to London with her four backup dancers, the Angels. But things take an unexpected turn as she finds herself on board with her long-time crush, Billy Crocker (Christian Stone), who doesn’t seem to return the feelings. 

In the meantime, Billy carries a torch for socialite Hope Harcourt (Gemma Formisano), with whom he had a past rendezvous. Determined to win her back, Billy stows away on the ship to rekindle the flame with Hope, who is engaged to the quirky, proper Lord Evelyn Oakley (Connor Olson).

A heartbroken Billy will do anything to regain Hope’s love, and quickly befriends fellow stowaway Public Enemy Number 13, Moonface Martin (Kole Cannon), and his sidekick, Erma (Lainie Lombardo), who aid Billy on his quest. 

Together, with the help of schemes, a stolen passport, and many disguises, this group of misfits plot to break up Hope and Evelyn. But will everything go as planned? No. Just about anything goes on this trip, including a lot of singing and tap dancing to Porter’s music as the story unfolds.

On stage, Anything Goes is directed by RFH advisor KasiAnn Sweeney, with assistant director Anthony Pruester. Amanda Gorfain is musical director, with Donna Battaglia as choreographer. Behind the scenes, Matthew Leddin is Technical Director, Catherine Cleary is costume and props designer and Sue Wankel is production coordinator. 

The show will run two weekends, from March 15 to 17 and 23 and 24. Tickets are now available online.

— Edited press release from RFH

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