THEATRE REVIEW: "Anything Goes" at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (Chicago, IL)

     It was either late April or early May of 2013 that I saw a National Tour performance of the Roundabout Theatre's revival of the Cole Porter musical "Anything Goes" at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, IL..  Rachel York starred in the production as Reno Sweeney, the part which was originated in the 2011 Broadway Revival  by Sutton Foster.  The original production of the musical opened on Broadway in November of 1934, and starred Ethel Merman.  The First National Tour of "Anything Goes"  made its Chicago Premiere in December of 1935 at the Grand Opera House (demolished in 1958 as the RKO Grand Theater, this venue was located at 119 North Clark Street), and starred Irene Delroy.

   

      Act One of the musical begins with "I Get a Kick Out of You" and ends with the title song "Anything Goes."  By the time the title song started, I really had to use the bathroom.  I hadn't listened to the cast recording to the Roundabout Theatre's revival of "Anything Goes" yet, so little did I know that the title song would be a long and drawn out song and dance number, more so than the 1987 Lincoln Center Revival that starred Patti LuPone (the National Tour of the Lincoln Center revival starred Mitzi Gaynor, and played two day s in Fe ready of 1990, not in Chicago, but at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. IL).  Even so, I thought the choreography by Kathleen Marshall was astounding.  Rachel York sang, dance, and belted the final lyric for what seemed like an eight-count.

Rachel York and the cast of "Anything Goes" (photo by Joan Marcus).

     The original scenic design was designed by Derek McLane.  The associate scenic designer (for the tour) was Erica Hemminger.  While the music and lyrics were by Cole Porter, the original book was by P.G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsay, and Russel Crouse.  The Roundabout Theatre Production featured a new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman.  This production featured the song "The Gypsy in Me" which had been cut from some of the past productions.  I remember the second act ended with the song "Buddie, Beware," and then suddenly the Finale started.  That is not a complaint or criticism exactly.  It was just a surprise.  I thought this was a great show.

     If I were to be asked what my favorite cast recording of "Anything Goes" is, I would not know the answer.  I have listened to many of them.  The "Anything Goes" cast recordings I've listened to, in their entirety, are as follows:  the 1987 Lincoln Center Recording (starring Patti LuPone), the 1989 London Cast Recording (starring Elaine Paige), the 2011 Roundabout Theatre Cast Recording (starring Sutton Foster), and the 1988 Studio Cast Recording (starring Kim Criswell).  I think I only listened to part of the 2003 National Theatre London Cast Recording.  The Original Broadway Production was back in the 1930's, before cast albums were made.  

     While  "Anything Goes" has been revived countless times, other Cole Porter shows have not.  Cole Porter has also written the music and/or lyrics to shows such as "Kiss Me Kate," "Gay Divorce," and "You Never Know."  Out of those three titles, I believe "Kiss Me Kate" is the only musical that has been revived.  I have no clue what the other two musicals are about.  I assume "Anything Goes" is the most popular of the Cole Porter musicals.  I certainly enjoyed it.  While I tend to gravitate toward the more emotional musicals like "Les Misérables " and "Hadestown,"  I also love a good musical comedy every so often.