‘Anything Goes’ at Lehighton

“Anything Goes” will set sail at Lehighton Area High School this weekend. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

“This musical showcases a lot of classic humor and it was nice to see the students develop their acting abilities in that way,” said drama club adviser Jessica Schafer.

“I believe the particular characters in this show also forced many of them to make some bold acting choices and get out of their comfort zones a bit.”

“Anything Goes” is set aboard the ocean liner S.S. American, where nightclub singer/evangelist Reno Sweeney is en route from New York to England.

Her pal, Billy Crocker, has stowed away to be near his love, Hope Harcourt, but the problem is Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.

Joining this love triangle on board the luxury liner are Public Enemy Number 13, Moonface Martin, and his sidekick-in-crime, Erma.

With the help of some elaborate disguises, tap-dancing sailors and good old-fashioned blackmail, Reno and Martin join forces to help Billy in his quest to win Hope’s heart.

“ ‘Anything Goes’ in particular has been a big commitment of time for this cast and crew for a couple of reasons,” Schafer said.

“This show has a tap dancing number and some more involved dancing than in years past, so we have brought in Deb Strausberger, owner of TNT Studio of Dance, to help the students learn their routines.

“We’ve spent a few hours each week just working on that.

“The set is also another component of the show that has been especially time consuming. Most of the show’s action takes place on the deck of the ship, so building the ship and painting it has been a big undertaking for us which has included the help of many hands.”

The cast includes Channel Baez (Reno Sweeney), John DeMatte (Billy Crocker), Dylan Coffin (Moonface Martin), Michael Bongiorno (Evelyn Oakleigh), Madison DeLuca (Hope Harcourt), Kylie Kresge (Erma Latour), Roger Pomposello (Elisha Whitney), Emily Haberman (Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt), Calvin Maholick (Captain), Christopher Jensen (Purser), Lydia Gowan (Luke), Ethan Malkowicz (John), Abigail Buffington (Purity), Ashley Beers (Chastity), Savana Serfass (Charity), Hannah Smith (Virtue), Zntia Macias (Henry T. Dobson), Ayana Bodisch (Fred/Passenger), Calina Boni (FBI Agent), Lauren Serbel (FBI Agent), Payge Louchart (Reporter), Lucy Taylor (Reporter), Amy Williamson (Old Lady in Wheelchair), Haley Fritz (Photographer), and Hannah Schappell (Passenger).

The show is under the direction of Schafer, orchestra under the direction of Bryan Buffington and choreography by Strausberger.