Falcon Playhouse presents ‘Anything Goes’

SRHS Falcon Playhouse’s production of “Anything Goes” includes (bottom floor, from left) Aryan Behyan, Hunter Cotton and Diosdado “Dean” Biscofloor, as well as (second floor, from left) Kobe Germain and Dylan Darwish. (courtesy photo)

Falcon Playhouse presents ‘Anything Goes’

Fans of song and dance are in for a treat when the students of the Scripps Ranch High School’s Falcon Playhouse present their staging of the classic American musical “Anything Goes,” beginning Feb. 28 at the school theater.

The timeless story of the play follows nightclub singer and evangelist Reno Sweeney and her friend Billy Crocker as they travel onboard the SS American. Billy is in love with Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. With the help of a hapless gangster and the girlfriend of a man regarded as public enemy no. 1, Billy sneaks aboard hoping – with the help of elaborate disguises, tap-dancing sailors and good old-fashioned blackmail – to stop the wedding and sweep Hope away for himself.

A classic play that has remained popular throughout the country, “Anything Goes” premiered on Broadway in 1934. It has been made into a film and has been reproduced on stage both on and off-Broadway, including as part of a national tour, and at high school and community theaters.

SRHS Theatre Director Patrick Garcia noted that students will be presenting the 1987 version of the production, which features extended musical sections.

“The ‘Anything Goes’ number is a little longer, and several of the other numbers have longer dance breaks,” he said.

Lead actors in the play will be Mackenzie Cain as Reno Sweeney; Luke Lima as Billy Crocker; Maia Fram as Hope Harcourt; Griffin Herring as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh; Dylan Darwish as Moonface Martin; Genevieve Flores as Erma Latour; and Shayan Nowzari as Elisha Whitney.

Garcia said “Anything Goes” is one of the student playhouse’s biggest productions. The play has a cast of 45, including the leads, another 35-40 people working as crew and 12 musicians to provide the live music. And it’s all student-run.

“I give these students, with guidance, full control of the production,” Garcia said. “What people see on stage – from the sets, lights, costumes and, obviously, the acting – is brought onstage by (students). The biggest thing is that they’re given freedom to express themselves in a creative and positive way, on a large scale, and hopefully a real-world experience where they get community members coming in to see their work.”

Showtimes and dates for “Anything Goes” will be 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 28, and March 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. Matinee shows will be at 1 p.m. on March 2 and 9. Tickets can be purchased at the Falcon Playhouse box office after school hours, at the door prior to each showing or online at bit.ly/2GhNUQo.