Anything Goes: Musical Info & Synopsis


Synopsis:

Anything Goes is set aboard a luxury liner traveling from New York to England in the 1930s. The story follows the romantic escapades of an eccentric cast of passengers, including nightclub singer/former evangelist Reno Sweeney, and Billy Crocker, who stows away on a quest to be near Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Anything Goes is a whirlwind of a love triangle, featuring plot twists, mistaken identities, and tap-dancing sailors.


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Contents


Musical Information

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1934)

Cast Size: 25+

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Setting: 1930s / USA (NYC), At Sea


Creative Team

Music/Lyrics: Cole Porter

Book: Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse


Cast Albums

Off-Broadway Cast (1962)➝

Broadway Cast (1987)

Studio Cast (1988)➝

London Cast (1989)➝

Studio Cast (1995)➝

London Cast (2003)➝

Broadway Cast (2011)➝


Licensing

Anything Goes is available for licensing through Concord Theatricals.

UK Licensing Options:

USA Licensing Options:


Principal Characters

  • Reno Sweeney
  • Hope Harcourt
  • Lord Evelyn Oakleigh
  • Elisha Whitney
  • Billy Crocker
  • Moonface Martin
  • Bonnie/Erma

Resources

Audition Songs: Theatre Trip

Sheet Music: Amazon➝


FAQ

Did Anything Goes win any awards?

The 1987 revival of Anything Goes won multiple Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Bill McCutcheon), and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress (Patti LuPone).

The 2011 revival also received several accolades, including the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster).

What are the most famous songs in the show?

A few of the most famous songs in Anything Goes include

  • “I Get a Kick Out of You”
  • “You’re the Top”
  • “Friendship”
  • “Anything Goes”
  • “Blow, Gabriel Blow”

Who is the lead role in Anything Goes?

Reno Sweeney is the lead star-vehicle role in Anything Goes.

Is there a movie version of Anything Goes?

Yes, there are two film adaptations of the musical:

  • Anything Goes (1936)
  • Anything Goes (1956)

Tags

1930s, Broken 4th Wall, Animals, Classic, Feel-Good, Female Lead, Large Cast, Original, Popular, Religion, Rom-Com, Tap Dance, Travel, Weddings


Similar Musicals

If you’re looking to discover new shows, here are some musicals like Anything Goes.

Lady, Be Good!

Oh, Kay!


Return to the complete A-Z musicals list »


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