Having put on two contemporary musicals, “Footloose” and “The Addams Family,” in the last two years, Katie Schreck wanted something “a bit more classic” for her East Hampton High School theater club this year.
Thus, the curtain rises Friday on East Hampton’s production of “Anything Goes,” which debuted on Broadway in 1934 and was revived in 1987 and 2011. Among its many accolades, the show twice won Tony Awards for best revival and best choreography.
“I also knew I wanted to do another ensemble show, because we have a tremendous amount of talent and a lot of interested students, which is awesome,” Ms. Schreck, who teaches English at the school, said this week. “I wanted something that would showcase as many students as possible, and this show does that really well.”
The story follows the comedic antics and romances of the passengers, crew, and stowaways aboard the S.S. American on a voyage to London. Among them are Wall Street hotshots, nightclub performers, gangsters, fake clergy members, F.B.I. agents, a wealthy British noble, a starstruck journalist, and other colorful characters.
“Anything Goes” stars some veteran East Hampton theater performers as well as some fresh, new faces. Dakota Quackenbush, last year’s Wednesday Addams, plays Reno Sweeney, a nightclub singer, and Kieran Conlon, last year’s crazy-funny Uncle Fester, plays
Billy Crocker, a young Wall Street broker hopelessly in love. The object of his adoration is Hope Harcourt, a debutante played by Siena Link-Morse. Hope’s overbearing mother, Mrs. Harcourt, is played by Nicky Seitz, who stole the show last year as Grandma Addams.
Other key players include Patrick Conlon as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, Ryan Darrell as Elisha Whitney, Jadiel Rodriguez as the gangster Moonface Martin, Audrey Smith as the ship’s purser, Cameron Mitchell as the ship’s captain,
Leah Fromm as Erma, and Chase Siska as the minister Henry T. Dobson.
The cast is having “the best time” and “so much fun,” Dakota, Nicky, Ryan, and Audrey said in a group interview during rehearsal on Monday. “The best week of the year is right now,” Dakota added.
Audrey and Ryan, juniors, are first-time performers in the high school program, and they agreed that the experience is bringing out new skills and improving their confidence in social situations.
“It’s a way to be someone else in a really fun way,” Audrey said.
The difference between classical musicals and more contemporary shows has to do with old-fashioned but beloved storylines. “I personally love it. I’m so excited to be doing an older musical, and also, it’s a period piece. . . . Look at these costumes!” Dakota said, dressed in a sparkling silver-sequined frock.
“Everything is just so fun because it’s a 1930s musical, but it comes down to the writing,” Nicky said. “The jokes are so funny, and the characters are really well thought out.”
With choreography by Anita Boyer, the music is accompanied by lively dance routines, including lots of tap dancing — not always something that a high school production can pull off. The all-hands-on-deck (pun intended) production features a full pit orchestra of student musicians, plus backstage crew members, costume and poster designers, and lighting and sound technicians.
“I’m biased, but I think that the level of precision and professionalism and fun that you’re getting out of high school students in this production is remarkable,” Ms. Schreck said. “I think people are going to come and get more than what they expected.”
Showtimes are tomorrow and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets, which cost $20 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students, are being sold only at the door.