Introducing Our 2025 Cast!

Welcome to PCOS and our production of "Anything Goes"

 

Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals

 

Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter

Original Book by Guy Bolton, PG. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

New Book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman

 

The S. S. American is sailing between New York and England with a comically colorful assemblage of passengers: Reno Sweeney, a popular nightclub singer and former evangelist, her pal Billy Crocker, a lovelorn Wall Street broker who has come aboard to try to win the favor of his beloved Hope Harcourt (who is engaged to another passenger, Sir Evelyn Oakleigh), and a second-rate con man named Moonface Martin, aka “Public Enemy #13.” Song, dance, and farcical antics ensue as Reno and Moonface try to help Billy win the love of his life.

 

REHEARSAL AND SHOW ATTENDANCE:

 

All Cast Members should assume that they must be available for the following rehearsals, with dates to be finalized when they are known:

Every WEDNESDAY evening starting mid-September, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, until performances start

Every SUNDAY afternoon from November 3rd, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, until performances start

Some SATURDAY dance rehearsals (beginning in October) will take place at the discretion of the choreographer

REHEARSAL SCHEDULES will be published in advance and every effort will be made to adhere to the schedule as published.

 

Please read the attached ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

 

SHOW DATES: Preview Performance on February 12, Show Dates: February 15, 16, 22, 23, March 1 (double performance), 2, 2025

 

If you have any questions re: membership and fees, please contact Pat Ballin at 905-834-9307.

 

CHORUS: Ship’s Crew and Passengers -- SSATB - Audition Song: No. 12 - Anything Goes - Bar 304 - 319.

Parts will be heard as follows: Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto, Tenor, Bass. Please read the parts in this section from the top down, ignoring what is marked ( Soprano and alto together, Tenor 2-part and Bass 2-part)

 

Please Note:  We are performing the 2022 Revised edition of Anything Goes. Please DO NOT rely on listening to the original Broadway Version of the show in preparing for your audition.  We will be expecting to hear the music as printed (see audition materials) and since the cast recording takes many liberties with the score, it may be confusing.

 

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

 

Available characters exist for all ages and genders, typically as follows, although note that the list below is subject to change and should not be considered definitive:

 

Reno Sweeney (Female)

Casting ages 30s to 50s

Alto with very good belt and lower extension

A sexy and charismatic nightclub singer and former evangelist. Reno is confident, clever, philosophical, funny, persuasive, and extremely comfortable with herself physically. She is practical and makes a good show of keeping it all together while romantic and tender-hearted underneath all her bravado. Reno is a consummate performer and a real showstopper. Must have comedic timing and be able to command the stage.

Songs: I Get A Kick Out of You, You’re The Top, Friendship, Anything Goes, Blow Gabriel, Blow

AUDITION REQUIREMENT: No. 3 I Get A Kick Out Of You - full song, + No. 12 Anything Goes - b. 320 to end     [pg. 77-78 and 108-109]

CALLBACK:  No. 10 Friendship with Moonface from b. 79 - 125 [pg. 99-100]

DIALOGUE:  with Evelyn [pg. 40-42] (cut from Moon’s entrance to his exit)

 

Hope Harcourt (Female)

Casting age 20s

Soprano

A wealthy and beautiful heiress. Hope is sailing to marry Lord Evelyn, who - although he is a very nice guy- is her heart’s second choice. Sweet, and with a strong sense of morals and duty. Willing to marry to satisfy mother’s wishes, instead of love. Good sense of humour, can be mischievous.

Songs: Easy to Love, It’s De-Lovely, Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye, All Through the Night

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 17 Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye whole song [pg. 124]

CALLBACK:  No. 11 It’s De-lovely with Billy from b. 37 - end [pg.102-103]

DIALOGUE:  with Billy [pg. 25-26]

 

Erma (Female)

Casting ages 25+

Mezzo with a strong belt

Independent, modern, impulsive, courageous, boundless, immoderate, and driven by whatever gratifies her at the moment. She has the kind of physical presence that immediately causes every man within eyesight to notice her. She’s fresh and enjoyable in spite of her brazen ways. Lovably clueless!

Songs: Buddie, Beware

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 21 Buddie, Beware  from b. 70 - end [pg. 133-134]

CALLBACK:  No. 21 Buddie, Beware  from b. 2 - 33 [pg. 133-134]

DIALOGUE:  with Moon [pg. 28-29]

 

Reno’s Angels (Female)

Casting ages 20s to 40s, Chastity, Purity, Charity & Virtue

Various

Reno’s backup singers/dancers for her nightclub act; must be willing/able to do “cheesecake” and be very comfortable with their magnetism and physicality in general. The collective feel of the Angels is they charge the atmosphere. Tap Dancing Required.

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 12 Anything Goes - Bar 304 - 319 [pg. 107-108]

CALLBACK:  No. 12 Anything Goes - Bar 304 - 319 [pg. 107-108]

DIALOGUE:  short speech [pg. 55]

 

Evangeline Harcourt (female)

Casting ages 40+

Sings in the Ensemble – no solo singing

Hope's widowed mother who, at this point in time, is mainly concerned with social status and money (snob). She wants Hope to marry rich! It’s the only way she can see that will save her home and her (and her daughter’s) place in society. Must be able to span the distance between refined lady and panic-stricken comedienne to breathless receiver of renewed hope.

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 12 Anything Goes - bar 304-319  [pg. 107-108]

CALLBACK:

DIALOGUE:  with Whitney [pg. 14-15] AND [pg. 45-46] with Billy and Moon

 

Ship’s Purser (gender fluid role)

Casting ages 20+

Sings mostly within the ensemble but has a short solo in Public Enemy No. 1

Reliable, alert, and by-the-book, with an air of confident style. Great Comic timing. They appear in and out throughout the entire show keeping a lot of the action afloat!

Songs: Public Enemy No. One

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 14 Public Enemy Number One from b. 29 - 39 [pg. 111]

CALLBACK:  No. 14 Public Enemy Number One from b. 29 - 39 [pg. 111]

DIALOGUE:  with The Captain [pg. 11-12]

 

Ship’s Captain (gender fluid role)

Casting ages 40+

Sings mostly within the ensemble but has a short solo in Public Enemy No. 1

The one in charge of the S.S. American. Intelligent, strong, but a little too concerned with prestige. Good comedic timing.

Songs: Public Enemy No. One

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 14 Public Enemy Number One from b. 19-24 [pg.110]

CALLBACK:  No. 14 Public Enemy Number One from b. 19-24 [pg.110]

DIALOGUE:  with The Purser [pg. 11-12]

 

Billy Crocker (Male)

Casting ages 20s to 30s

Tenor

Elisha Whitney's kind but inefficient general manager who is in love with Hope. Must be charismatic and MUST have comedic timing: both verbal and physical plus considerable charm. Enough to win the heart of a steady girl engaged to a good man, and to have stolen the experienced heart and garnered the lavish attentions of Reno. Must be very confident physically, and willing to be put in silly situations. Must be able to move quickly. Idealistic.

Songs: You’re The Top, Easy to Love, It’s De-Lovely, All Through The Night

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 7 Easy to Love from b.67 - end [pg. 91-92]

CALLBACK:  No. 11 It’s De-lovely with Hope from b. 37 - end [pg.102-103]

DIALOGUE:  with Billy [pg. 25-26] AND [pg. 45-46] with Evangeline and Moon

 

Moonface Martin (Male)

Casting ages 30s to 50s

Tenor

Uncomplicated and loveable gangster. Very interested in climbing up the most wanted ladder. Wily and quick-witted, yet somehow just this side of gullible, Moonface is loyal and willing to go the distance for a friend. He carries a machine gun in a violin case but it’s pretty obvious he’s untried in anything desperate. MAJOR comedic timing required; able to move nimbly/ quickly.

Songs: Friendship, Be Like The Bluebird and sings in all Ensemble numbers when on stage

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 18 Be Like The Bluebird - full song [pg. 125-126]

CALLBACK:  No. 10 Friendship with Reno from b. 79 - 125  [pg. 99-100]

DIALOGUE:   [pg. 45-46] with Evangeline and Billy AND [pg. 28-29] with Erma

 

Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Male)

Casting ages 30s to 40s

Tenor

Hope's aristocratic English fiancé. An earnest, energetic, good-natured, gullible and charming jewel of a nerd (called so affectionately). Loves the Americans. Born knowing who he is, therefore has the gift of being clueless to anybody’s opinion of him. Good comedic timing is required.

Songs: Gypsy In Me and sings in all Ensemble numbers when on stage

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 20 The Gypsy In Me from b. 27 - end [pg.131-132]

CALLBACK:  No. 20 The Gypsy In Me from b. 5 - 25

DIALOGUE:  with Reno [pg. 40-42] (cut from Moon’s entrance to his exit)

 

Elisha Whitney (Male)

Casting ages 40+

Baritone

A successful Ivy league Wall Street banker/business tycoon. Extremely near-sighted and a gloriously functional drunk. Huge personality. Used to snapping his fingers and having the world stop to listen. Thinks he’s right, but also capable of listening to reason and changing his mind. Very loyal to his alma mater (Yale)..

Songs: The Crew Song and sings in all Ensemble numbers when on stage

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 8 The Crew Song - full song [pg. 93]

CALLBACK:  No. 8 The Crew Song [pg. 93]

DIALOGUE:  with Evangeline [pg. 14-15]

 

Spit & Dippy (gender fluid role)

Casting ages 20+

Sings in the Ensemble – no solo singing

A presumably reformed gambler, and recent Christian convert. Traveling with Henry T. Dobson

Songs: sings in all Ensemble numbers when on stage

AUDITION REQUIREMENT:  No. 12 Anything Goes - melody - bar 304 - 319  [pg. 107-108]

CALLBACK:  No. 12 Anything Goes - melody - bar 304 - 319  [pg. 107-108]

DIALOGUE:  with Moon [pg. 35-36]

 

© 2024 • Port Colborne Operatic Society •

P.O. Box 383 • Port Colborne ON L3K 1B7

 

PCOS is a Registered Charity. Number: 832443675RR0001 (Canadian Revenue Agency)

 

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