Broadway has its Sutton Foster. And we have EmilyRose Frasca.
A vivacious redhead, Frasca launches her lungs on a bon voyage as nightclub singer Reno Sweeny in the Northwest Savoyards’ production of “Anything Goes” performing at Historic Everett Theatre.
Frasca sings with the motor revved up in such numbers as “You’re the Top” and “Anything Goes” but can also purr like a kitten when she delivers “I Get a Kick Out of You.” Her vocal versatility and stage presence is reminiscent of Foster who has appeared at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle and who snagged her second Best Actress Tony Award for “Anything Goes” in 2011.
Certainly Frasca was a hit in this comic musical set aboard an ocean liner. But the cast and crew were also first class with marvelous, full-stage song and tap numbers, funny antics and fine acting and directing.
So hats off to the talent at the helm of this production: director Alan Wilkie, music director David Spring and choreographer Krista Erickson. This team will have people leaving the theater afloat on a Cole Porter high.
Porter did the music and lyrics, many of the songs timeless treasures such as the ones I’ve already mentioned along with “Let’s Misbehave,” “It’s Delovely” and “All Through the Night.”
A backdrop to the music and tap numbers is a kind of silly though antic-riddled plot that involves a mix-up on the high seas when a certain Billy Crocker is mistaken for Public Enemy Number One while another gangster — Public Enemy Number 13 — masquerades as a preacher.
Meanwhile, Billy tries to get his true love back, who happens to be on board with her fiance, who is being wooed by the lovely Sweeny.
These supporting cast roles are terrifically played by the darling James Frasca (husband to EmilyRose) as Billy, Mark Abel as Public Enemy 13 or Moonface Martin, and the hilarious Dan Zertuche as the foppish fiance, Sir Evelyn Oakleigh.
And speaking of big tap numbers, Rachel Wilkie, who played Moonface’s sidekick Bonnie, was like a red-hot flare in “Heaven Hop” in a red dress and tapping her heart out, along with a dynamite ensemble of dancers.
I’ll just say about “Anything Goes,” all aboard, you don’t want this show to sail away without you.
“Anything Goes” performs for one last weekend from June 15 to 17 at Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Tickets are $23.50 for adults $20.50 for seniors/students/military.
Group Rates are available. Call 425-258-6766 or go to Etix.
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