‘Anything Goes’ at Rockwall Summer Musicals

‘Anything Goes’ at Rockwall Summer Musicals

ROCKWALL, TX (July 23, 2014) Rockwall Summer Musicals will present Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes.” Opening night is Thursday, August 14 and performances will continue through August 17 at the Rockwall High School Performing Arts Center. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the final show on Sunday will begin at 2 p.m.  Online ticket prices include student rates for $13, adults for $19 and seniors age 65 or older for $16.

Linda Leonard

RSM’s production of “Anything Goes” is directed and choreographed by Dallas guest Director Linda Leonard and Music Director, Mary Medrick. Leonard has more than 35 years of professional experience onstage and onscreen, and has directed over 200 productions.

“I love Anything Goes, and it seems like the perfect fit for everyone,” Leonard said. “We have an amazing cast and crew and I think it is going to be a smashing production.”

President of the RSM Board of Directors Regent Cornell said he too was pleased with the selection of “Anything Goes.”

“We chose to produce ‘Anything Goes’ because it is a wonderful show filled with Cole Porter’s music; it’s hilariously funny and filled with fantastic tap dancing,” Cornell said. “The show is musical comedy at its best.”

RSM Vice President of Marketing Palmer Ragsdale said she was “thrilled with the choice.”

Whitney Rosenbalm plays Reno in 'Anything Goes'. Photo by Kimberly Worsham, Cheeky Monkey Studios.

“Anything Goes” originally debuted on Broadway in 1934, and Ragsdale said the stage has seen numerous revivals of the classic show performed since. The story is set aboard an ocean liner called the S.S. American en route to London. A Wall Street broker named Billy Croker falls in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Meanwhile, night club singer Reno Sweeny pines for Billy, but still aids him in his quest for Hope with help from Public Enemy #13 Moonface Martin. Some of the top musical numbers include “Anything Goes,” “You’re the Top,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.”

From left: Hunter Lewis, Sally Glaze, Whitney Rosenbalm, Jason Bias. Photo by Kimberly Worsham, Cheeky Monkey.

“RSM’S Broadway-style entertainment in Rockwall won’t be a secret much longer,” Cornell said. “‘Anything Goes’ is filled with some of the best dance numbers we have ever had on the RSM stage.”

Leonard said working with RSM on “Anything Goes” has been a pleasure thanks to the close-knit staff.

“Rockwall Summer Musicals is relatively new in their endeavors and they have an amazing board and staff,” Leonard said. “The most rewarding aspect of directing at Rockwall is that I am finding is the sense of family and community experience to be intoxicating. Theatre is about collaboration and creativity and we have both.”

Tickets for “Anything Goes” can be purchased at rockwallsummermusicals.org. 

By Blue Ribbon News staff writer/reporter Julie Anne White. Photos by Kimberly Worsham, Cheeky Monkey. 

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