Anything Goes - National Tour (Kennedy Center)

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 9:24am

Having seen the recent Broadway revival of Anything Goes several times, I decided to catch up with the National Tour of the same show currently playing at The Kennedy Center.

This production does not disappoint! Rachel York is a sassy and brassy Reno Sweeney. Her vocal stylings sounded like someone who was a singer in the 30s and 40s. She also has a keen sense of comedy, and certainly had the audience last night laughing (as did everyone else in the cast). I have seen Sutton Foster, Stephanie J. Block and Tari Kelly all play this role and it was nice to see that each of these actresses were doing their own thing with it. The strongest dancers were Sutton and Tari, but I loved the way Stephanie sang the score and acted the part. It’s difficult to say who my favorite was since they were all different. I have always wanted to hear Andrea McArdle sing the score to this show.

Josh Franklin recently joined the tour as Billy Crocker and I liked him quite a lot. Out of the three different actors I have seen in this role, he was definitely my favorite. His beginning of It’s De-Lovely was hysterical.

Fred Applegate was a hoot as Moonface Martin. It was nice to someone else as I only saw Joel Grey when the revival was on Broadway.

Joyce Chittick was definitely an audience favorite as Erma.

Edward Staudenmayer (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh) was another one with a great sense of comedic timing. His Gypsy in Me was a highlight of the evening. It even looked like Rachel York was enjoying this number as well.

Both the title number of the show and Blow, Gabriel, Blow blew the roof off of the Opera House. So nice to see this audience react like they did on Broadway.

My only quibble of the evening is the sound in the Opera House. I was in the rear orchestra area and the sound was just so dead back there. But other than that it was still enjoyable and how nice it was to hear laughter throughout the evening. Most of the run is listed on Goldstar and I know I will definitely be going back.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 9:31am

Edward Staudenmayer (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh) was another one with a great sense of comedic timing. His Gypsy in Me was a highlight of the evening.

Totally agree. By the end of the number, I was crushing on him.

[Evita@theBroadway]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 9:53am

I cannot agree more. This was my second time seeing the show, the first time was opening week on Broadway and I thought Rachel York was much better than Sutton Foster. I can't pinpoint why, but everything clicked with this tour. Line after line delivered, jokes were wonderful, and Rachel and Josh Franklin had perfect chemistry.

[Devinmd]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 10:22am

I'll add kudos to this tour as well. Probably the best overall tour I've ever seen at the Kennedy Center. After seeing it on Broadway, I was a bit reluctant, but had a great time. Rachel York is doing a fantastic performance. If you're on the fence, I'd say this is a "go-see".

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 4:14pm

So glad to hear all the positive news. Going to see it next month when it comes to Proctor's in Schenectady, NY. Saw it in NYC with Sutton - front row and loved everything, and everyone in it. Sounds like I wont be disappointed with the touring show.

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 6:06pm

Nice to hear, I missed it in Lansing and am planning my trip to the Stratford Festival to coincide with "Anything Goes" in Toronto.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 6:47pm

I saw Rachel York in the tour of Kiss Me Kate over 10 years ago. She is one of my earliest memories of the theatre. I will be checking this out when it comes to Schenectady next month.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 9:01pm

I saw the tour in San Francisco on a cold Tuesday night in January. It was a spectacular production and Rachel York was terrific. I loved her performance on the DVD of "Kiss Me, Kate" and loved her brassy performance. The rest of the tour was in great shape and I hope the tour is doing well.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 12:12am

anyone know if the tour plans to continue past Seattle(through Nov. 3)?? That's the last date listed on the show's website.

[ravnquest1]

Posted: 6/14/13 at 9:21am

There is one more week following Seattle in Greenville, SC. That is it.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/8/13 at 9:16am

At the last minute I decided to catch the last DC performance of the tour last night and so glad that I did. I ended up being in the 4th row center orchestra. I had a ticket for Friday evening as well, but Rachel York was out and saw Kristie Kerwin as Reno Sweeney. I was disappointed at first, but have to say she did a wonderful job. I don't know if Kristie had gone on before that night, but I noticed that the cast applauded her when she came out for her bow (usually done on their first time out).

This tour was one of the better productions that has played the Kennedy Center. Last night, Blow, Gabriel, Blow literally stopped the show with a standing ovation from the audience. It was great being so close just to see the reaction from the cast of the show. I have to say the DC audiences really responded to this show.

The cast of the tour was top notch. When people ask me why I saw this production several times I respond that it made me happy. The Anything Goes tap number and Blow, Gabriel, Blow were worth the price of admission alone.

Some cast changes in the ensemble are taking place in their next city as I recognized Corey West (Nice Work) in the lobby as I was exiting.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 7/10/13 at 11:27pm

Kristie was on again tonight in Schenectady. She has a fantastic voice and wonderful stage presence, clearly able to carry the show.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/11/13 at 12:19pm

That's nice to hear. I was amazed at how at ease she looked in the role. I know being an understudy can be nerve-wrecking, especially when you're carrying the show.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 7/11/13 at 12:31pm

The ease and comfortable nature she had was just astounding. It had looked like she had been doing the tour for the entire time. I did not think she could top the title song, but then "Blow Gabriel Blow" came, and tore down the house. I also like Fred Applegate much more than Joel Grey, he just did more with the role.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/11/13 at 12:45pm

^I preferred Fred Applegate, too. I had just told a friend of mine the exact same thing.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 7/14/13 at 12:14am

I saw the show last October in Nashville TN and LOVED IT!!! I sat in Row H Orch right and was amazed by what I saw. The cast was fantastic and the whole production was top notch. It is for sure in my top 10 favorite shows. And to top it all off I saw a Sunday 1pm matinee and there were no understudies and if the cast was that great at a matinee I could just imagine how amazing it was that night (closing night). Anything Goes On Tour: A+

[MCfan2]

Posted: 7/14/13 at 6:59pm

A big thank you to everyone here who gave this such good reviews -- you helped talk me into going to see it, and I LOVED it. York's voice was so powerful it gave me goosebumps, and Staudenmeyer's "Gypsy in Me" was incredible! Just an all-around great production.

[E.Davis]

Posted: 7/14/13 at 7:42pm

When did you see it?

[MCfan2]

Posted: 7/14/13 at 10:33pm

On the 7th -- the last night it was here in D.C., I believe.