Sailor caps and deck wear are in order.
"Anything Goes," a cruise full of love, crazy antics and a unique 1930s sensibility, is sailing our way.
The 1934 musical, with music by Cole Porter and a book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, climbs aboard Pima Community College's stage next week.
"Anything Goes" appeared on Broadway 77 years ago and "can still stand up to any performance," said director Todd Poelstra. That's why the production appears on this year's round of musical performances by Pima students.
"Anything Goes" is a typical 1930s musical filled with romance and slapstick comedy. But with the added spirit of comedic writer Wodehouse and energetic songs by the classic Porter, the play is a cut above the rest.
"Anything Goes" is set on the S.S. American, traveling from New York to London. On board, the characters experience a mix-up of identities and loads of complicated love and drama.
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Musical numbers such as "It's De-lovely," "Anything Goes" and "I Get a Kick Out of You" make the trip smooth sailing.
The show, featuring a cast of 35 students, not only entertains the audience, but teaches the student performers physical comedic timing, which they are not usually trained in, said Poelstra.
The musical "is a great training vehicle in classical comedy, and it is amazingly well-scripted," he said.
Choreographer Mickey Nugent is teaching the students to tap their way across stage.
His secret to maneuver-ing the largest cast in Pima Community College history to look like a pros?
"Knowing how to get actors and singers to move," said Nugent. "You have to finesse it so it looks brilliant to the audience. Just knowing how to get them all to coordinate and synchronize from the audience's eyes makes it look like a big Broadway show."
IF YOU GO
"Anything Goes"
• Music and lyrics by Cole Porter; book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.
• Presented by: Pima Community College Performing Arts.
• Director: Todd Poelstra.
• Choreographer: Mickey Nugent.
• When: Previews 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through March 6.
• Where: PCC Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre, West Campus, 2202 West Anklam Road.
• Cost: $18, discounts available.
• Reservations, information: www.pima.edu/cfa or 206-6986.
• Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes, with one intermission.
• If you're in the mood: Dress up for opening night in your best cruise attire. Prizes for costumes, pictures with the cast, and a reception.
McKenzie Sheldon is a University of Arizona student who is apprenticing at the Star. Contact her at starapprentice@azstarnet.com or 573-4128.
