Hypothetical Anything Goes Revival

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 8:28pm

Okay, I was thinking today what show I would like to see revived and I thought of Anything Goes. The last time it was on Broadway was 1987 so I mean 20 years should be a long enough span. But if it were to happen, I would like to see Cheyenne Jackson as Billy and Laura Benanti as Hope. Anythoughts for Reno or Moonface?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 8:32pm

Donna Murphy should play Reno, however, word is she was offered the role for the proposed Roundabout revival and she turned it down. Oh well, I'd kill to see her glide her way through that wonderful score. Her "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" would be out of the world.

[fnyboi88]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 8:40pm

I don't know who I would want as who, but I would LOVE to see this show on Broadway! I've done this show, and the music is wonderful!

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 8:52pm

YES to Donna Murphy.

Why isn't she doing Vera in "Pal Joey?" I love Stockard Channing, but I'm just asking.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 8:55pm

I wonder the exact same thing, ZiggyCringe. She has played Vera regionally before to rave reviews, she would be ideal for the role and it was she whom I thought would be playing it in the revival, wonder if she was even offered the part.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 9:01pm

It's been rumored for a while that Kathleen Marshall will be directing and choreographing Anything Goes for Roundabout at some point, possibly to open the new Henry Miller Theatre. They've reportedly been hoping to get Catherine Zeta-Jones to make her Broadway debut as Reno.

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 9:02pm

Hey, ray-...

I don't know. It MIGHT have something to do with her absences from "Wonderful Town."

It also might have something to do with the fact that Stockard has a relationship with Roundabout.

Whatever. I think Murphy would be an AMAZING Vera. Perhaps Channing will be as well. Time will tell. I can't wait to see it.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 11:38pm

My question is why did she turn down Reno? Oh my, God, would she own that score. Why turn that down? Oh well.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 1:27am

For Donna Murphy i would say no to Reno, but a fig fat YES to Vera! For Reno, the role belongs to Debbie (Shapiro) Gravitte.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:22pm

Sorry kids Rachel York needs to play it on Broadway

[logan0215]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:30pm

I would absolutely love to see Anything Goes back on Broadway.

A solid score and an enjoyable book from an amazing era with the oppurtunity for some thrilling big chorus tap numbers- why the hell not. Sign me up!

I know there are two versions, I had seen one done in high school which included the "flakey corine" singing "Let's Step Out." I'd love to see that version on Broadway.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:33pm

I agree with you on that one!

[logan0215]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:36pm

I also like "The Heaven Hop"

Are they from the same version?

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:48pm

I'd love to see Anything Goes revived again. One of my favorite theatre memories was being in NYC for a business trip and making an impulse visit to Lincoln Center to see if they had any seats available for the show. Ended up in the first row. Patti LuPone and Howard McGillin were both wonderful.

In these economic times, a feel-good show like Anything Goes with fun dance numbers and very familiar songs seems like a good bet.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:52pm

Murphy was indeed approached for the proposed Kathleen Marshall-shepherded revival, but she turned it down because she wants to concentrate on originating roles rather than doing revivals, regardless of the strength of the role or material (which is why she was also extremely hesitant to commit to a Broadway transfer of the Encores! production of FOLLIES a couple years ago.)

[Brick]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 12:54pm

Donna Murphy. Eh, no thanks. I love me some Donna, but not as Reno. Thank god she turned it down.

Actually, Zeta-Jones would have been perfect. I hope that still happens some day.

I must admit I'm going to have trouble with many people playing in comparison to the brilliance of Patti's casting and performance; the role needs equal parts star power, poweerful vocals (I've seen some who didn't, like Chita, and I felt the role was diminished), and stellar musical comedy chops.

But there's someone out there....

[logan0215]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 1:03pm

idiot.

Sorry, had to be said.

Those are 2 outstanding roles. I'm all for wanting to originate roles, but I don't think one is taking an artistic step back by taking a role in a show like Follies or Anything Goes, especially in the case of Follies with how layered and emtionally rich Sondheim writes his female characters.

[logan0215]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 2:27pm

I found the song list for the 3 versions; the wikipedia is also very thorough:

1934 Version
I Get a Kick Out of You
Bon Voyage (There's No Cure Like Travel)
All Through the Night
Sailors' Chantey (There'll Always Be a Lady Fair)
Where Are the Men?
You're the Top
Anything Goes
Public Enemy #1
Blow, Gabriel, Blow
Be Like the Bluebird
All Through the Night (Reprise)
Buddie, Beware
The Gypsy in Me


1962 Version
Overture: You're the Top
Bon Voyage
It's Delovely
Heaven Hop
Friendship
I Get a Kick Out of You
Anything Goes
Public Enemy Number One
Let's Step Out
Let's Misbehave
Blow, Gabriel, Blow
All Through the Night
Be Like the Bluebird
Take Me Back To Manhattan


1987 Version
Prelude
I Get a Kick Out of You
There's No Cure Like Travel
Bon Voyage
You're the Top
Easy To Love
I Want To Row On the Crew
Sailor's Chantey
Friendship
It's De-Lovely
Anything Goes
Entr'acte
Public Enemy No. 1
Blow, Gabriel, Blow
Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye
Be Like the Bluebird
All Through the Night
The Gypsy In Me
Buddy, Beware
I Get a Kick Out of You (Reprise)
Anything Goes (Reprise)

---------------------------------------------------

Would having Bonnie present conflict with Reno's role in the show? I just love "The Heaven Hop" and "Let's Step Out" so much...


Updated On: 10/26/08 at 02:27 PM

[logan0215]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 8:56pm

I was enjoying this thread but then Bush and Evita took over the board. Erm...

bump?

[little_sally]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 9:25pm

Can we not cast Cheyenne Jackson in every role? There are other actors out there.

[logan0215]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 10:12pm

I'm sure 5 BWW posters had to just completely re-do their cast lists.

Would Nancy Anderson fit into any of the parts? I don't know if she has the sass for Reno or Bonnie, but Hope? She just has that quintessential 40's era look...
Updated On: 10/26/08 at 10:12 PM

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 6:19am

Kristin Chenoweth as Bonnie! Yes! And of course I vote for the version with The Heaven Hop in it...wonderful little tune!

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 7:30am

A revival with Rachel York as Reno, Matt Cavenaugh as Billy, Erin Davie as Hope, Greg Jbara as Moonface Martin, and Leslie Kritzer as Bonnie/Irma would be sublime.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 10:29am

I know it would never happen, but Catherine Zeta-Jones would be WIN.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 10:42am

Rachel York - Reno
Matt Cavenaugh - Billy
Jill Paice - Hope
Noah Weisenburg - Evelyn Oakley
Kerry Butler - Bonnie
Tony Yazbeck - Moonface Martin
Patti LuPone - Mrs. Harcourt