Anything Goes (1962)

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Anything Goes (1962)

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  4w, 3m plus ensemble

It's Delightful, Delicious and De-Lovely! This version of Cole Porter's hilarious shipboard romp is based on the 1962 off-Broadway revival.

Image: 2011 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 3m plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! New York Outer Circle Critics Award for Best Revival

Details

Summary

Music, dance, laughs, and the age-old tale of Boy Meets Girl... Anything Goes is Delightful, Delicious and De-Lovely!

Professional Artwork Available for Your Production of Anything Goes!
Concord Theatricals has collaborated with Subplot Studio to create high-quality artwork that complies with your license. Promoting your show has never been easier! Learn more at Subplot Studio.

Two versions of Anything Goes are available for presentation: this 1962 version and the 2022 Revision, each based on the same story. Both may be accompanied by a piano, a small instrumental combo or a full orchestra. The 2022 Revision has twice as much dance music as this 1962 version. The 2022 Revision, based on the 1987 Lincoln Center production at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, features a revised script, updated in light of contemporary sensibilities. In the 2022 version, the race of the characters is not pivotal to the plot. We encourage you to consider diversity and inclusion in your casting choices.

Both versions include "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "You're The Top," "Bon Voyage," "Friendship," "It's De-Lovely," "Anything Goes," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "Be Like The Bluebird" and "All Through The Night." This 1962 version also includes "Heaven Hop," "Let's Step Out," "Let's Misbehave" and "Take Me Back To Manhattan." (The 2022 Revision also includes "Easy To Love," “Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye,” "The Gypsy in Me" and "Buddie Beware.")

History
Anything Goes premiered on Broadway on November 21, 1934 at the Alvin Theatre, where it ran for 420 performances, becoming the fourth longest-running musical of the 1930s. A revised version of the show opened Off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre on May 15, 1962, starring Eileen Rodgers as Reno Sweeney and Hal Linden as Billy Crocker.

Act I

On a gangplank in New York City in 1933, glamorous passengers eagerly board the S.S. American, a luxury liner bound for England. Reporters aggressively photograph the passengers: Wall street executive Elisha J. Whitney; English gentleman Sir Evelyn Oakleigh; his fiancée, debutante Hope Harcourt; Hope’s overbearing mother, Mrs. Wadsworth Harcourt; Bishop Henry Dobson; two Chinese missionaries; and American evangelist-turned-nightclub singer Reno Sweeney, along with her four chorines, or “Angels.”

Whitney’s personal assistant, Billy Crocker, arrives to drop off his boss’s updated passport, and Whitney promptly fires him. Reno, who has known and adored Billy for years, invites him to sail with her as her new emcee (“You’re The Top”). Billy bumps into Hope and is stunned. Apparently, they shared a romantic evening months earlier, and Billy has been searching for Hope ever since. Billy immediately decides, with Reno’s help, to pursue Hope by stowing away on the ship. Gangster Moonface Martin, dressed as a preacher, enters with his girlfriend, Bonnie. They hop onboard just as Bishop Dobson is mistakenly arrested, and the ship sets sail (“Bon Voyage”). Billy, who inadvertently helped Moon board, takes the ticket and passport of Moon’s accomplice, Snake Eyes.

While Sir Evelyn is overcome by seasickness, Billy and Hope rekindle their romance (“It’s DeLovely”). The authorities think Billy is the real Snake Eyes, so Moon and Bonnie help disguise Billy in a sailor’s uniform (“Heaven Hop”). Reno joins the escapade by agreeing to distract Sir Evelyn. Reno, Billy, and Moon celebrate their partnership (“Friendship”). Reno flirts with Evelyn so Moon can catch them in a compromising position, and she realizes she actually likes the Englishman (“I Get A Kick Out Of You”).

Billy manages to evade detection by donning a series of ridiculous disguises. When he’s finally found out, he's considered a celebrity, and the captain invites him for a drink. Hope is disappointed in Billy for being “a clown,” but Reno assures him things will work out (“Anything Goes”).

Act II

The passengers and crew honor Billy as “Public Enemy Number One,” and Bonnie leads a celebration (“Let’s Step Out”). Sir Evelyn and Reno get better acquainted (“Let’s Misbehave”) and Hope gets progressively more disgusted with Billy’s lie. Reno and Moon, still posing as a minister, perform a service to reform “Snake Eyes.” At the service, Evelyn confesses to a youthful tryst with a Chinese girl named Plum Blossom, Billy admits his deceit, and Reno leads a revival (“Blow, Gabriel, Blow”).

Billy and Moon are thrown in the brig. In jail, Billy can’t stop thinking about Hope (“All Through The Night”) so Moon attempts to cheer him up (“Be Like The Bluebird”). The two Chinese missionaries are also jailed for gambling. Hope visits Billy and they reaffirm their love (“All Through The Night” Reprise). Unfortunately, Mrs. Harcourt has arranged for Hope and Evelyn to marry in just a few hours. Billy and Moon come up with a plan; they begin a game of strip poker with the missionaries.

Meanwhile, Reno and the Angels miss life in New York (“Take Me Back To Manhattan”). Evelyn confesses he loves Reno, but he has to follow through on his commitment to marry Hope.

The wedding begins, but it’s soon interrupted by Billy and Moon, disguised as the two Chinese missionaries, along with Reno disguised as Plum Blossom. The three impostors manage to cancel the wedding, and soon Hope and Billy end up together, as do Reno and Sir Evelyn, Bonnie and Moon, and Mrs. Harcourt and Mr. Whitney. The captain receives a telegram from Washington saying Moonface Martin is “Not wanted. Entirely harmless. Wouldn’t hurt a flea.” Despite Moon’s bitter disappointment, the entire company celebrates together (Finale: “You’re The Top”).

Principals
(4 female; 3 male)

Sir Evelyn Oakleigh — English gentleman (Range: B2-F4, opt. G4)
Mrs. Wadsworth T. Harcourt — mother of Hope; society matron (Range: D4-D5)
Hope Harcourt — engaged to Sir Evelyn (Range: Bb3-F5)
Reno Sweeney — nightclub singer, former evangelist (Range: F3-F5, opt. G5)
Billy Crocker — Whitney’s “general manager,” in love with Hope (Range: Bb2-F4)
Moonface Martin — Public Enemy No. 13 (Range: A#2-E4)
Bonnie — wisecracking moll, traveling with Moon (Range: C#4-Gb5)

Supporting
Elisha J. Whitney — Wall Street executive; lush
Steward
Reporter (Charlie) — for the Globe American
Cameraman — for the Globe American
Bishop (Henry T. Dobson) — missionary
Ching — Christian convert and gambler
Ling — Christian convert and gambler

Purser
Captain

Chastity (Angel) — a girl in the backup vocal quartet for Reno’s act
Purity (Angel) — a girl in the backup vocal quartet for Reno’s act
Virtue (Angel) — a girl in the backup vocal quartet for Reno’s act
Charity (Angel) — a girl in the backup vocal quartet for Reno’s act

Sailors — ship’s crew
Girl 1 — passenger
Girl 2 — passenger
Girl 3 — passenger

Ensemble

Sailors & Passengers

  • Time Period 1930s
  • Setting The S.S. American, a luxury liner sailing from New York to London in 1934.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“If you’re looking for sheer escape, this is your ticket!” – Nelson Pressley, The Washington Post

“Reno Sweeney may get no kick from champagne, but the audience can't be blamed for drinking it all up.” – Frank Rich, The New York Times

“The score to the shenanigans-at-high-seas story includes a bevy of old-school delights, including the messianic barn-burner 'Blow, Gabriel, Blow,' the whimsically romantic 'It's De-lovely' and the unstoppable title tune.” – Catey Sullivan,

Anything Goes exists to put a daffy grin on your face...if you’re looking for sheer escape, this is your ticket!” – Nelson Pressley, The Washington Post

“Cole Porter songs and tap-dancing sailors? What’s not to love? ...The show is so packed with daffy physical shtick, comical dialogue and those still dazzlingly clever Cole Porter lyrics that it’s impossible not to surrender.” – David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

Anything Goes is Cole Porter at his best.” – Susan Brall, DC Metro Arts

Videos

  • Anything Goes - 65th Annual Tony Awards youtube thumbnail

    Anything Goes - 65th Annual Tony Awards

  • Anything Goes - Sizzle Reel youtube thumbnail

    Anything Goes - Sizzle Reel

  • Anything Goes - Highlights youtube thumbnail

    Anything Goes - Highlights

  • Anything Goes - 1988 Tony Awards youtube thumbnail

    Anything Goes - 1988 Tony Awards

  • "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" on Letterman youtube thumbnail

    "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" on Letterman

Show more +

Photos

  • Anything Goes (1962)

    Image: 2011 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Anything Goes (1962)

    Image: 2011 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Anything Goes (1962)

    Image: 2011 Roundabout Theatre Company Production (Joan Marcus)

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. Opening – Orchestra
2. Reno’s Entrance, Three Fanfares – Orchestra
3. "You’re The Top” – Bill & Reno
4. Moon’s Entrance – Orchestra
5. “Bon Voyage” – Full Company
6. Change Music: Bon Voyage – Orchestra
7. “It’s De-lovely” – Billy, Hope, & Chorus
8. Change Music: De-lovely – Orchestra
9. Change Music: Bon Voyage – Orchestra
10. “Heaven Hop” – Bonnie & Girls
11. “Friendship” – Billy, Reno, & Moon
12. Change Music: Friendship – Orchestra
13. Change Music: Bon Voyage – Orchestra
14. “I Get A Kick Out Of You” – Reno
15. “Anything Goes” – Reno & Chorus
16. Encore: “Anything Goes” – Reno & Chorus

Act II

17. “Public Enemy Number One” – Chorus
18. “Let’s Step Out” – Bonnie & Chorus
19. “Let’s Misbehave” – Reno & Sir Evelyn
20. “Blow, Gabrielle, Blow” – Reno & Chorus
21. “All Through The Night” – Billy & Hope
22. “Be Like The Bluebird” – Moon
23. Reprise: “All Through The Night” – Billy & Hope
24. Change Music: Bon Voyage – Orchestra
25. “Take Me Back To Manhattan” – Reno & The 4 Angels
26. Wedding Music – Orchestra
27. Chinese Bit – Orchestra
28. Finale: “You’re The Top” – Full Company
29. Bows and Exit Music – Orchestra

Full Orchestration

Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Bass

Reed 1: Flute, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
Reed 2: Flute, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
Reed 3: Oboe, Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
Reed 4: Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone (Optional Bassoon)

Trumpets 1 & 2
Trumpet 3
Trombone

Percussion:
Timpani (3 Drums)
Snare Drum (brushes & sticks)
Bass Drum
Tom Toms (2 Pitches)
Bongo Drums
Suspended Cymbal
Hi-Hat
Tam Tam
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Ship’s Bell
Triangle
Temple Blocks
Wood Block
Cowbell

Guitar & Banjo
Piano-Conductor’s Score with orchestra cues for Conductor and Piano-Celeste

Combo Instrumentation

Bass

Reed 1: Flute, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
Reed 2: Oboe, Tenor Saxophone & Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet
Trombone

Percussion:
Timpani (3 Drums)
Snare Drum (brushes & sticks)
Bass Drum
Tom Toms (2 Pitches)
Bongo Drums
Suspended Cymbal
Hi-Hat
Tam Tam
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Ship’s Bell
Triangle
Temple Blocks
Wood Block
Cowbell

Guitar & Banjo

Piano (Piano-Conductor’s Score)

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size X-Large
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials


  • Please submit a license request to determine availability.
    PLEASE BE ADVISED: There are multiple versions of this title. Before you proceed, please double-check to ensure that you are applying for the version you want. We will not be able to refund rental or shipping fees if you pay for the wrong version.

    Both ANYTHING GOES (2022 REVISION) and ANYTHING GOES (1962) have multiple orchestra package options. These orchestrations are significantly different, so please choose carefully.

    If you’re not sure which version best suits your needs, you may purchase a perusal for each available version.

    ANYTHING GOES (1962)

    ANYTHING GOES (2022 REVISION)

    ANYTHING GOES: YOUTH EDITION

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
Full Orchestration:
25 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
2 Trumpet 1&2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Trombone
1 Percussion
1 Guitar
2 Violin 1
1 Violin 2
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass

Combo Package:
25 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Trumpet
1 Trombone
1 Percussion
1 Guitar
1 Bass
25 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Cole Porter

Cole Porter was born in Peru, Indiana in 1891 and died in Hollywood 73 years later. In between, he wrote some of the most memorable songs ever heard on stage or screen, among them “Night and Day,” “Begin the Beguine,” “You’re The Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Love For Sal ...

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Guy Bolton

Guy Bolton (1884-1979) was born in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England, on November 23, 1884. Bolton famously collaborated with Jerome Kern and P.G. Wodehouse on a series of buoyant musicals for the 299-seat Princess Theatre, including Have A Heart; Oh, Boy!; Leave It To Jane; ...

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P.G. Wodehouse

P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) and Guy Bolton (1884-1979) were both born in England. They were introduced by Jerome Kern, and he suggested they all work together. They did, tirelessly, and in the beginning of their collaboration wrote nearly one show per month: the famed Princess ...

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Howard Lindsay

Howard Lindsay (1889-1968) was an actor, stage manager, director and playwright before teaming up with Russel Crouse. Lindsay and Crouse's partnership stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical history, lasting for more than 28 years. The two men f ...

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Russel Crouse

Russel Crouse (1893-1966) was a newspaperman, a press agent for the Theatre Guild, the author of several books and a librettist before partnering with Howard Lindsay. Lindsay and Crouse's partnership stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical histo ...

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