Co-starring in the Red Bank Regional production of Cole Porter’s ANYTHING GOES are (left to right) Eliana Swartz, Davis Bush, Dana Brown and Justin Giegerich. Performances are Thursday through Sunday, March 26-29.
Press release from Red Bank Regional High School
As the Spring 2015 student production at Red Bank Regional High School, the Academy of Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) and the Red Bank Regional Theatre Company will present Cole Porter’s timeless musical comedy Anything Goes. Going up Thursday through Saturday, March 26-28 at 7 pm (with a 3 pm matinee on Sunday, March 29), the production marks the last in a distinguished career for retiring RBR drama teacher and production director Joe Russo.
Taking place on a raucous London-to-New York ocean liner cruise in 1934, Anything Goes presents the age-old tale of boy-meets girl with ensuing complications that include stowaway stockbrokers, merry mobsters and bible-thumping burlesque queens. The vintage musical-comedy revue was fortified for its Broadway revival with a collection of enduring Cole Porter songs that include “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and the signature song, “Anything Goes.”
The cast includes Justin Giegerich (Briele) as love-struck Billy Crocker — a stowaway who’s hopelessly smitten with heiress Hope Harcourt, played here by Jaclyn Gisondi of Shrewsbury. Aiding and abetting the humble Billy’s efforts to woo the otherwise-engaged rich girl are nightclub performer Reno Sweeney (Dana Brown of Red Bank), “Public Enemy No. 13” Moonface Martin (Davis Bush of Millstone) and his moll, Bonnie (Eliana Swartz of Little Silver). The large supporting cast also features Bobby Davis (Shrewsbury), Anthony Campana (Little Silver), James Fogerty (Red Bank), Jacki Izzo (Little Silver) and many more.
“Anything Goes is one of my favorite shows…it’s just fun,” says Russo of his final show at the RBR Theatre; a run about which he adds, “it has been my privilege to work with wonderful students, staff and parents for 32 years.”
Tickets are $10 for senior citizens and students, or $15 for adults, and can be purchased at the door the day of the performance. There is no charge for RBR students. For additional information, call (732)842-8000, extension 227, or visit the RBR website at www.rbrsh.org.
