Maranatha High School’s Anything Goes

If one likes tap-dancing, screwball comedy, romance and the kind of spectacle that makes American musical theater so special, then Maranatha High School is inviting everyone to their production of Anything Goes. Before the “Love Boat” there was the “S.S. American,” Cole Porter’s 1930’s cruise ship filled with the zaniest but most loveable passengers and crew. This is a “boat” one doesn’t want to miss! Guests will be able to sing along to Porter’s most memorable hit songs like, “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick Out Of You,” “Friendship,” and, of course, “Anything Goes.” So book a passage on this cruise early because the “S.S. American” sails promptly for only four performances beginning March 21 at the world famous Ambassador Auditorium.

Anything Goes is the age-old story of boy meets girl, meets boy meets girl, etc. It contains all the madcap adventure that can be stuffed into two hours of musical comedy, set against the most memorable of all Cole Porter’s scores. It captures the joy of the ‘20s and blends it together with the style and class of the ‘30s and places it all on a passenger ship in the middle of the ocean. It was the second most popular musical of the 1930s on Broadway. It was revived again in 1962 and 1987, winning three Tony’s in 1987.

The show is presented by Maranatha High School Performing Arts and features 50 of the most talented, young singers, dancers and actors in the Pasadena area. The production is directed by Tiffany LaBarbera-Palmer, music directed by Aaron Kolberg and choreographed by Sarah Shoemaker. As with all Maranatha musicals, Anything Goes will be performed with full costumes, sets and orchestra. The show opens Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. and runs through Saturday, March 23 with a matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available online at www.maranatha-hs.org/boxoffice.