Hey, Porter!
Cole weather at BAAY
by Christopher Key
If there is anything that can drive Christmas music out of your head for a while, it’s Cole Porter songs. Anything Goes is perhaps the quintessential Porter musical and it’s quite a challenge for actors of any age. Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth has no fear when it comes to such challenges and their production of this classic will have you humming something other than White Christmas for at least a day or two.
You absolutely must see a stunning performance by Abrah Friberg as Reno Sweeney. Her astonishing voice and luminous stage presence make it very difficult to believe that she’s a teenager. I’ve seen professional performers who don’t own the stage the way she does. There are some very solid BAAY veterans backing her up, but just try to take your eyes and ears off her when she’s onstage.
Abrah Friberg stars in Anything Goes at the BAAY Actors Studio.
That said, Jack Eiford gives her a run for her money as Moonface Martin, a gangster anxious to move up on the Most Wanted list. He’s got a streak of ham as wide as West Virginia and that’s a high compliment in my book. Brad Anderson, who gave a star turn as Curly in Oklahoma!, proves that his performance was no fluke. As Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, he delivers a very authentic Brit accent and a definitive version of the Upper-Class Twit.
The character of Billy Crocker is extraordinarily demanding, with constant costume and accent changes. Zoe Schackel comes through like a champ. Ellen Clark is all dewy innocence as Hope Harcourt and has a very sweet singing voice. As Bonnie, Maegan Covell charmingly channels Betty Boop.
Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Hope’s mother, is a formidable British matron and Melanie Cahill made the part her own. Saila Bonk is completely convincing as the American tycoon Elisha J. Whitney.
BAAY always tries to get as many actors onstage as possible and there is a second cast that will be performing next weekend. I recognize a lot of the actors in that cast and expect it will be as solid as this weekend’s performers.
There is a true hero in a smaller role that I want to recognize. You may not even have a clue that Rachel Snodgrass as the ship’s captain has a minor speech impediment. It may be politically incorrect for me to have noticed this, but I want to salute her for her courage. Theatre is often a means of curing stuttering and I’m betting that Rachel will be an award-winning orator before long.
There are a lot of talented kids who play smaller roles and that is nowhere more evident than during the big production numbers where the chorus sounds like Broadway professionals. That, of course, is due to the influence of Musical Director Extraordinare Steve Barnes.
Mary Evans is to dancing as Bill Gates is to computers. She has worked wonders with her young students and the choreography will amaze you. The intricate set was designed by Bill Eiford and that leads me to my only gripe. The complexity of the set changes resulted in delays that were very distracting. I trust that things will go more smoothly once those problems have been addressed. It will also cut about 15 minutes off the run time.
David Post, the mad genius who created BAAY, directs the show and the fact that I saved him for last is no reflection on his skills. What he has done is nothing short of astounding and he needs to be recognized for the community treasure that he is.
Anything Goes plays at the BAAY Actors Studio, 1059 North State Street, on December 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:00 p.m. Matinees are at 2:00 p.m. on December 12, 13, 19 and 20. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved at www.brownpapertickets.com.
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