Shipmates to set sail with ‘Anything Goes’
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
THE PRESQUE ISLE HIGH SCHOOL SHIPMATES’ PLAYHOUSE will premiere “Anything Goes” Friday night at 7 p.m. at the PIHS auditorium. The musical tells the story of the S.S. American, which sails from New York to England carrying an unusual group of passengers. Pictured during a recent rehearsal are, from left: Hannah Nelson, Sarah Gourneault, Arianna Forbes, Sophie Willette, Leslie Campbell, Brittani Rhynold, Kelsey Buck and Hannah Stoutamyer.
PRESQUE ISLE – The Presque Isle High School Shipmates’ Playhouse is ready to set sail with its fall musical, “Anything Goes.”
Premiering Friday night at the PIHS auditorium, “Anything Goes” tells the story of the S.S. American, which sails from New York to England carrying an unusual group of passengers.
“Included amongst them are a gangster (Moonface Martin), a wealthy debutante and her mother (Hope and Evangeline Harcourt), a nightclub singer (Reno Sweeney), and a wealthy New York businessman and his stowaway assistant (Elisha Whitney and Billy Crocker),” said Leslee Mahon, who is co-directing the musical with Jennifer Bourassa.
“It turns out that Hope is Billy’s long-lost love. Unfortunately, she is now engaged to a wealthy Englishman, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. After a series of comedic happenings, Billy manages to win back Hope,” Mahon said. “Meanwhile, Billy’s friend, Reno, manages to win Lord Evelyn. All this happens while Moonface Martin attempts to escape the law and Hope’s mother strives to maintain her social status.”
It has been years since Mahon directed the Shipmates’ musical, so she opted for one she was familiar with.
“I first attended this musical when I was younger and Joe Zubrick directed it at the University of Maine at Presque Isle,” she said. “It has always been one of my favorite musicals because it is funny, creative and Cole Porter’s music is amazing. I remember seeing Joe tap dancing as a sailor and I sang the songs for weeks after attending.
“Jennifer [Bourassa] loves this show, too, so we decided this would be an excellent community favorite. I haven’t directed the Shipmates’ Playhouse for over five years and I wanted to choose a play I was familiar with; 14 years ago I directed this show and it was a hit! The story is similar to the ‘Titanic’ movie without the sinking ship.”
Zubrick is actually involved in this year’s production as he returns as the set director.
“Basically we have what’s called a ‘unit set,’ a single setting for multiple purposes,” he said. “We do also have some shuttle stages which roll into place from offstage to further isolate the action. For most musicals, the set tries to stay out of the way of the activity, especially the dancing, and this is no exception.
“Most musical sets are about flexibility and movement. They have to allow the story, which in this case gets frenetic, to proceed along,” said Zubrick. “The last thing you want is to slow the pace down. Also, the sets add a visual stimulation for the audience … something that helps them ‘see’ the rest of the scene by placing the action in a context.”
The shuttles include an interior cabin, a brig and another “cabin,” which is actually crews’ quarters (complete with bunk beds).
According to music director Jay Nelson, “Anything Goes” is a classic “old-school musical” with more of a traditional style of music.
“It rotates between solos, duets, smaller group and full ensemble numbers throughout the show and they range from very serious to extremely comedic,” he said. “It is doubtful that younger folks would know many of these classic songs; however, any Cole Porter fans would know such gems as ‘It’s Delovely,’ ‘I Get a Kick out of You,’ ‘All Through the Night’ and ‘Blow Gabriel Blow.’ Some may even know the title song, ‘Anything Goes.’ There are several other wonderful songs in the show, as well.”
Nelson said the musical will appeal to audience members of all ages.
“Many of the songs come out of the operetta (operas that mix singing with spoken lines) tradition as these songs begin with a freely sung section (called a recitative) and then move into the fully sung portion of the song (called the aria),” he said. “This type of musical was a transitional style that bridged opera to the more contemporary style of Broadway musicals.”
So many students auditioned for this year’s production that there are actually two casts.
“We had so many capable students audition for the musical that we decided to double cast the show,” said Mahon. “I have always been a proponent of double casting because it gives more performers a chance to play principal roles and ensemble roles; I believe it develops camaraderie in the cast.
“This year we have a Blue and White Cast to represent our school colors. Presque Isle High School is full of talented students and it is an honor to work with these performers and watch them develop into characters to entertain our community,” she said.
Rehearsals have been going very well.
“The students are wonderful on stage. At the beginning of rehearsals, these kids were learning choreography from Colleen DuPlissie and the temperature was almost 95 degrees in the auditorium,” said Mahon. “Not one of the students complained and they worked diligently through the heat.
“This is going to be a great show; these students are not only vocally talented, but they can dance and act,” she said. “It’s the trifecta of theater!”
Zubrick agreed.
“The songs are unforgettable … classics of the musical comedy stage,” he said. “Just knowing its Cole Porter is enough for me. PIHS has a 50-year tradition of offering great theater; this is no exception.”
The Blue Cast consists of Garrett Kidney (Elisha Whitney), Eric Freeman (Steward), Kent Smith (Sir Evelyn), Kristina Lord (Mrs. Harcourt), Katy Schneider (Hope Harcourt), Sophie Willette (Reno Sweeney), Aidan Sawyer (Billy Crocker), Scott Rhynold (Moonface), Hannah Nelson (Bonnie) and Keith Clark (Captain).
The White Cast includes Hayden Dow (Elisha Whitney), Andrew Terpening (Steward), Keith Clark (Sir Evelyn), Chloe Rossignol (Mrs. Harcourt), Kate Campbell (Hope Harcourt), Jordyn Shaw (Reno Sweeney), Dale Winslow (Billy Crocker), Kent Smith (Moonface), Divya Bisht (Bonnie) and Aidan Sawyer (Captain).
Actors who play the same role in both Blue and White Casts include Paige Haley (Camera People), Brandon Howlett (Bishop), Madeline Cannon (Ming), Anna Cannon (Ling), Kevin Coppola (Purser), Christina Hallowell (Chastity), Arianna Forbes (Purity), Brittani Rhynold (Charity), Leslie Campbell (Virtue) and Sara Gourneault (Faith).
Other cast and crew members include:
Passengers: Meghan Legassie, Emerald Mutty, Tiffany Kinney and Paige Haley. Sailors: Jay Getman, Oliver Zubrick, Alex Tuttle, Brandon Bonville and Caleb Mathers. Reporters: Meghan Legassie, Tiffany Kinney and Emerald Mutty. Flappers/Dancers: Hannah Stoutamyer, Kelsey Buck and Casey Bonville.
Pit Band: Stephen Goulet, Paul Elish, Sarah Diette, Pat Bradgon, Jon Simonoff, Adam Metzler and Sean Diette. Booth: Zachary Dubé, Jenna Soucy and Jesse Lucas. Stage Crew/Sailors: Whitney Michaud, Melaine Maynard, Emily Smith, Jesse Lucas and Andrew Terpening. Set Crew/Sailors: Jordan Mitchell, Tristan Russell, Codie Henderson, Courtney Carney, Zachary Breton and Joe Theriault.
Directors and play production staff: Artistic directors: Leslee Mahon and Jennifer Bourassa, Jay Nelson (music director), Sarah Diette (pianist), Joe Zubrick (set director), Mark White (producer), choreographers: Colleen DuPlissie, Hannah Nelson, Sophie Willette and Chloe Rossignol, Elaine Sipe (costume director), hair/make-up: Maggie Smith, Katie Bartley, Nikki Carpenter, Kim Delano, Elaine Sipe, Emily Smith, Melanie Maynard, Katie Buckley and Amy Billings.
Performances for the Blue Cast are 7 p.m. Nov. 12 and 20 and 2 p.m. Nov. 13. The White Cast will take to the stage at 7 p.m. Nov. 13, 18-19. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors, and are available at the PIHS main office, Goin’ Postal and at the door.
