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Loveland Herald article about "Anything Goes"
By Chuck Gibson
loveland@communitypress.com
The folks over at the Loveland Stage Company know how to stage a show.
From comedy to drama; children's theater, variety shows and musicals, for them, almost anything goes. That brings us directly to their next production: "Anything Goes" opening Friday evening, March 12, and running nine shows through Saturday, March 27.
The Loveland Stage Company's Pat Furterer will direct the musical comedy by Guy Bolton, P.G. Woodhouse, Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse which features the popular music and lyrics of Cole Porter.
"I have not directed a musical in this theater," said Furterer, who is the president of LSC. "I've done shows, but I've not done a musical. This is a show I've wanted to do and I really wanted to work with Marjory Clegg."
Clegg is the choreographer. Furterer describes her as "great," says they are "on the same wave length" and further says "she knows what I want and she gives it to me." The musical director is John Nixon. She describes him as "an absolute gem to work with."
That's a good thing because, after all, this is a musical. The story is set in the 1930s with Cole Porter music and two really big dance numbers.
"The dancing in this show is terrific," Clegg said. '''Anything Goes,' which is singing and tap, and then 'Blow Gabriel Blow' which really should be on Broadway."
"I'm just very, very proud," Clegg added about the hard work the cast has put in learning and practicing their dance numbers. "Some had never danced before, but have come early and worked extra hours to get to this point."
All have performed in some kind of theater before, but Ashley Brock and Dan Moeller will be making their debut on the Loveland stage. They play Hope and Billy, who fall for one another despite Hope's engagement to another man. The whole cast is talking about the chemistry between these two.
"It's probably one of my favorite shows," Brock said, explaining that she also did it in high school. "I love the cast, they're great. All these people are perfect for their roles. It's so much fun to get into character."
Dan Moeller plays Billy Crocker, who stowed away on the cruise ship to pursue Hope.
"It's a great show," Moeller said. "Everybody seems to have a natural connection in the show. Working with Ashley on stage has been a lot of fun. It's got a big mix of everything you could ever want in a musical. It's been a lot of fun."
Catherine Shultz made her LSC debut in "Miss Saigon," and is back to play the unique role of Reno Sweeney; an evangelist turned nightclub singer.
''I'm Reno Sweeney," Shultz said. ''I'm the former evangelist turned nightclub singer. I definitely have a spicy role. The dancing is fabulous. It is fantastic music. The show is funny and fun, the costumes are fun and there are gangsters. "
Dylan Addis makes his Loveland stage debut as one of the gangsters. He's Moonface Martin, who gets on the ship by acting like a preacher. Addis says Moonface is "the one character in the show that gets to overact and can't really overact too far." He's been told his singing rendition of "Be like a Bluebird" is hysterical.
This musical comedy is co-produced by Ann Barfels and Jeanne Welsh, who performed the role of Hope in LSC's 1981 production of "Anything Goes." The show promises great 1930s costumes designed by Marschelle Schauble and another incredible set design by Dave Welsh and crew.
"I'm playing it to the fun side. I want them (audiences) to go out singing ... " Furterer said, as she broke into song; singing "Anything Goes!"
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