Anything Goes is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The original story was written together by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, and later rewritten by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The story follows wild and crazy actions on a ship traveling from New York to London. Billy Crocker is a hidden passenger who loves Hope Harcourt, a wealthy woman engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and a wanted criminal named "Moonface" Martin help Billy try to win Hope’s love. Songs from the musical that later became popular in pop and jazz music include "Anything Goes," "You're the Top," "All Through the Night," and "I Get a Kick Out of You."

The musical first opened on Broadway on November 21, 1934, at the Alvin Theatre (now called the Neil Simon Theatre). Since then, it has been performed again many times in the United States and Britain. It has been made into films three times (in 1936, 1956, and 2021) and into television shows three times (in 1950, 1954, and 1962). The musical is often chosen for school and community theater productions.

History

The idea for a musical set on a ship came from producer Vinton Freedley, who lived on a boat after leaving the United States to avoid his debts. He chose the writing team, P. G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton, and the leading actress, Ethel Merman. The first version of the show was named Crazy Week, later changed to Hard to Get, and finally titled Anything Goes. The original story included a bomb threat, a shipwreck, and a plot involving people being illegally transported to a desert island. However, just weeks before the show was scheduled to open, a fire on the passenger ship SS Morro Castle killed 138 passengers and crew members. Some say Freedley decided to change the script because continuing with a similar story would be in poor taste. Others, like theatre historian Lee Davis, believe Freedley wanted changes because the script was "a hopeless mess." At the time, Wodehouse and Bolton were in England and could not help, so Freedley asked his director, Howard Lindsay, to rewrite the story. Lindsay worked with press agent Russel Crouse, starting a long-term partnership. The characters Billy Crocker and Moonface Martin were created for the famous comedy team William Gaxton and Victor Moore, and Gaxton’s ability to change his appearance was included in the script.

Plot summary

There are five versions of the libretto for Anything Goes: the original 1934 version, the 1962 off-Broadway revival, the 1987 revival, the 2011 revival, and the 2022 revised version. The story has changed over time, but all versions share similar romantic problems on the ship SS American and include the same main characters. The music has also changed, with some songs removed, others moved to different scenes or characters, and some songs added from other shows by Porter.

Billy Crocker is a young Wall Street broker who falls in love with a girl he meets at a party and spends time with in a taxi. His boss, Elisha J. Whitney, is preparing to travel to London on the SS American to make a business deal. Reno Sweeney, an evangelist who now sings in nightclubs, will also be on the same ship. Billy sees Reno as a friend, but she has feelings for him ("I Get a Kick Out of You"). Billy goes to the dock to say goodbye to his boss and Reno ("Bon Voyage") and sees the mysterious girl again. He learns she is Hope Harcourt, an heiress traveling to England with her mother, Mrs. Harcourt, and her fiancé, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, a British nobleman who is stuffy and clumsy. Billy hides on the ship to win Hope’s heart.

" Moonface" Martin, a gangster known as "Public Enemy 13," and his girlfriend, Bonnie, disguise themselves as a minister and a missionary. Billy accidentally helps them board the ship, leaving the real chaplain behind. Moonface and Bonnie forget to bring their leader, "Snake Eyes" Johnson, Public Enemy 1. To thank Billy, they give him Snake Eyes’ passport and ticket without telling him who it belongs to. Billy tricks Evelyn into leaving him alone with Hope by convincing him he is sick. When Billy goes for air, he meets Hope again, and she admits she has been thinking about him ("All Through the Night"). Though Hope prefers Billy, she insists on marrying Evelyn because her family’s company is in trouble, and the marriage would save it.

The ship’s crew receives a message saying Public Enemy 1 is on board. Moonface tells Billy the truth, and they plan to disguise Billy as a crew member so he can avoid being caught. Four sailors comfort themselves with thoughts of romance when they reach shore ("There’ll Always Be a Lady Fair"). Bonnie tricks the sailors into helping Billy by stealing one of their uniforms.

Hope talks to Evelyn about their upcoming marriage and learns he is not happy about it either. Billy asks Reno to help separate Evelyn and Hope, and she agrees. Billy and Reno reaffirm their friendship ("It’s Friendship"). Reno tries to charm Evelyn, and he invites her to his cabin. Reno and Moon plan for Moon to burst in and find Reno with Evelyn, but when Moon enters, he sees Reno dressed and Evelyn nearly undressed. Evelyn insists he would be happy if people thought he was a passionate lover. The plan fails.

The crew discovers Billy is not a sailor, and Moon and Reno create a new disguise for him using stolen clothes and a beard made from Mrs. Harcourt’s dog’s hair. Reno tells Billy Evelyn kissed her and says she will soon be Lady Oakleigh ("Anything Goes"). Mrs. Harcourt recognizes her dog’s hair, removes Billy’s beard, and the crew realizes he is the wanted man. As Snake Eyes Johnson, Billy becomes a celebrity.

Billy is honored as "Public Enemy Number One." He tells the captain that Moon, who is still disguised as a minister, is helping him reform. Moon is asked to lead a revival on the ship. Passengers confess their sins to the "Reverend," and Evelyn admits to a one-night stand with a woman named Plum Blossom. Hope is not impressed with Billy’s act, and he confesses he is not Snake Eyes Johnson. Moon admits he is not a minister but Public Enemy 13. The captain sends them to the brig. Reno restores the mood of the revival ("Blow, Gabriel Blow").

Moon tries to cheer Billy up ("Be Like the Bluebird"). Billy doubts he will see Hope again, as they cannot leave the brig until they return to America. Their Chinese cellmates, Ching and Ling, are to be put ashore in England. Moon and Billy challenge them to a game of strip poker, win their clothes, and disguise themselves again.

Billy, Moon, and Reno arrive at the Oakleigh estate dressed as Chinese people. They tell Evelyn’s uncle they are Plum Blossom’s parents and threaten to expose Evelyn’s affair if he does not marry her. Evelyn offers money, which Moon accepts, making Billy and Reno upset.

Billy and Reno find Hope and Evelyn, who are unhappy about their marriage. Hope says she wants to marry Billy ("The Gypsy in Me"). Billy learns from Whitney that Evelyn and Hope’s marriage is a business deal to save Hope’s company. Billy tells Whitney the company is worth millions, and Whitney offers to buy it. The marriage is canceled. Billy and Hope marry, as do Reno and Evelyn. A message from the U.S. government fixes Billy’s passport and declares Moon harmless. Moon pockets Evelyn’s money and refuses to return it.

Young Wall Street broker Billy Crocker helps his boss, Elisha J. Whitney, prepare for his trip to London. Whitney tells Billy he will make a big sale of a sinking asset. Billy meets Reno Sweeney, who is also traveling to London. Reno tries to convince Billy to join her, but he refuses. She laments her unrequited love for him ("I Get a Kick Out of You"). Billy tells Reno he has fallen in love with someone else, and she believes he led her on before reaffirming her feelings for him ("I Get a Kick Out of You – Reprise").

The next morning, the SS American prepares to sail ("There’s No Cure Like Travel") as Reno and other passengers board. Among them is Hope Harcourt, the girl Billy loves. She is with her wealthy fiancé, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, and her mother, Evangeline, who arranged the marriage to solve their family’s financial problems. Billy boards to give Whitney his passport and sees Hope. Learning she is to be married, he stays on the ship to pursue her. Public Enemy 13, Moonface Martin, sneaks on the ship disguised as a priest. His girlfriend, Erma, is also on board, but their leader, Snake Eyes Johnson, is missing. Billy accidentally helps Moonface avoid the FBI. Moonface returns the favor by giving Billy Snake Eyes’ passport and ticket.

Characters

• Reno Sweeney — a former evangelist who became a nightclub singer and is a close friend of Billy
• Billy Crocker — a young Wall Street broker who is in love with Hope
• Moonface Martin — a not very important gangster, known as "Public Enemy No. 13"
• Hope Harcourt — an American debutante (a young woman who is introduced to society)
• Lord Evelyn Oakleigh — Hope's wealthy and unusual English fiancé
• Bonnie/Erma — Moonface's girlfriend in the 1934 version, Snake Eyes' girlfriend and Moonface's friend in the 2011 version
• Elisha J. Whitney — a Wall Street banker from an Ivy League university, Billy's boss
• Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt — Hope's proud and strict mother
• Captain, steward, and purser on the ship
• Ching and Ling ("Luke" and "John" in the 1987 revival and 2002 concert) — two Chinese people who converted to a new faith and stopped gambling, who travel with Bishop Henry T. Dobson
• Ritz Quartette (1934 original) / Lady Fair Quartet (1987 revival)
• The Right Reverend Bishop Henry T. Dobson
• Reno's Angels (Purity, Chastity, Charity, and Virtue) (1934 original and 1962 revival / 2002 concert and 2011 revival) — Reno's backup singers
• Ship's crew, passengers, reporters, photographers, and FBI agents

Musical numbers

• "Waltz Down the Aisle" [removed before the Boston tryout; later changed by Porter into "Wunderbar" for the play Kiss Me, Kate] – Sir Evelyn and Hope Harcourt
• "What a Joy to Be Young" [removed before the New York opening; another title: "To Be in Love and Young"] – Hope Harcourt
• "Kate the Great" [not used] – Reno Sweeney and Angels

Notable productions

The musical first opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on November 21, 1934. It performed for 420 shows, making it the fourth longest-running musical of the 1930s. This happened even though many people had less money to spend on entertainment because of the Great Depression. The original production was directed by Howard Lindsay, with choreography by Robert Alton and set designs by Donald Oenslager. Today, the show is still often performed again and remains popular.

Charles B. Cochran, a British theater manager, bought the rights to stage the show in London during its run in Boston. He produced the show at London’s Palace Theatre, where it opened on June 14, 1935, and ran for 261 performances. The cast included Jeanne Aubert as Reno Sweeney (the name was changed to Reno La Grange to match Aubert’s French background), Jack Whiting as Billy Crocker, and Sydney Howard as Moonface Martin. P. G. Wodehouse was hired to change parts of the story and lyrics to better fit an English audience.

In 1962, the show was revived in an Off-Broadway production at the Orpheum Theatre on May 15, 1962. Lawrence Kasha directed the show, and the cast included Hal Linden as Billy Crocker, Kenneth Mars as Sir Evelyn, and Eileen Rodgers as Reno Sweeney. For this version, the script was updated to include changes from the movie versions of the show. These changes focused on a character named Bonnie, who had a smaller role in earlier versions. This revival was the first stage version to include songs from other Cole Porter musicals, such as “Take Me Back to Manhattan” from The New Yorkers (1930), “It’s De-Lovely” from Red, Hot and Blue (1936), and others.

For the 1987 Broadway revival, John Weidman and Timothy Crouse (Russel’s son) updated the story and rearranged the musical numbers. They used songs from other Cole Porter shows, a practice the composer often used. This version was performed by a 16-piece swing band, similar to the style of early Benny Goodman. The production opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in Lincoln Center on October 19, 1987, and ran for 784 performances. Directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Michael Smuin, the cast included Patti LuPone as Reno Sweeney, Howard McGillin as Billy, Bill McCutcheon as Moonface, and Anthony Heald as Lord Evelyn. The production won ten Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Featured Actor (McCutcheon), and Best Choreography. It also won Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Actress (LuPone).

Elaine Paige, a British actress and singer, saw the 1987 Broadway production and decided to bring it to London. She co-produced the show with her then-partner, lyricist Tim Rice. The London production opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in July 1989. Paige played Reno Sweeney (later replaced by Louise Gold). The original cast included Howard McGillin as Billy Crocker (later replaced by John Barrowman), Bernard Cribbins as Moonface, and Kathryn Evans as Erma. Other cast members were Ursula Smith, Martin Turner, and Ashleigh Sendin.

Jerry Zaks directed the production, with scenic and costume designs by Tony Walton, lighting by Paul Gallo, and sound by Tony Meola. John Owen Edwards was the musical director, and Michael Smuin was the choreographer.

The show later toured Australia in 1989, playing in Sydney and Melbourne. The cast included Geraldine Turner as Reno Sweeney, Peter Whitford as Moonface, Simon Burke as Billy Crocker, Marina Prior as Hope Harcourt, and Maggie Kirkpatrick as Evangeline Harcourt.

In April 2002, a one-night-only concert version of the show was held at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Patti LuPone played Reno Sweeney, Howard McGillin played Billy, and Boyd Gaines played Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. LuPone and Gaines later starred together in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy. The performance was directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, with music supervision by David Chase and designs by Tony Walton.

The National Theatre revived the musical, opening at the Olivier Theatre on December 18, 2002, and closing on March 22, 2003. It later moved to the West End at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, running from September 26, 2003, to August 28, 2004. Directed by Trevor Nunn, the cast included Sally Ann Triplett, John Barrowman, and Yao Chin (now a TV reporter). A cast recording of this production is available.

A revival of the 1987 version opened on April 7, 2011, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company. Previews began on March 10, 2011. Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, the production featured musical supervision by Rob Fisher, dance arrangements by David Chase, and designs by Derek McLane, Martin Pakledinaz, and Peter Kaczorowski. The revival used the 1987 orchestrations by Michael Gibson with some additions by Bill Elliott.

The opening cast included Sutton Foster as Reno Sweeney, Joel Grey as Moonface Martin, Laura Osnes as Hope Harcourt, Jessica Walter as Evangeline Harcourt, Colin Donnell as Billy Crocker, Adam Godley as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, John McMartin as Elisha Whitney, Jessica Stone as Erma, Robert Creighton as Purser, Andrew Cao as Luke, Raymond J. Lee as John, and Walter Charles as the Captain. The production received nine Tony Award nominations and ten Drama Desk Award nominations, winning for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster).

A cast recording of this production was released as a digital download on August 23, 2011, and in stores on September 20, 2011.

Stephanie J. Block took over as Reno Sweeney from Sutton Foster in a limited engagement from November 4–23, 2011, while Foster filmed a television pilot. Block permanently assumed the role on March 15, 2012, as Foster left the musical to take a television role.

The production

Film versions

In 1936, Paramount Pictures made a movie musical version of Anything Goes. Ethel Merman played the role of Reno, and Bing Crosby portrayed Billy Crocker. Other actors in the film included Ida Lupino, Charles Ruggles, Arthur Treacher, and Grace Bradley. The director was Lewis Milestone. New songs for the film were written by Hoagy Carmichael, Richard A. Whiting, Leo Robin, and Friedrich Hollaender.

A second film version of Anything Goes was released in 1956 by Paramount. This version also starred Bing Crosby, though his character’s name was changed. Donald O'Connor was in the film as well. The female leads were Zizi Jeanmaire and Mitzi Gaynor. The story was changed significantly from the original, and the script was written by Sidney Sheldon. Some songs by Porter were removed, and new songs were added by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn.

A third version of Anything Goes was directed by Ross MacGibbon and Kathleen Marshall. It was filmed during a live stage performance of the 2011 Broadway revival. This version was later shown on US television on PBS’s Great Performances on May 13, 2022.

Television versions

In 1950, the first episode of Musical Comedy Time included a televised version of Anything Goes featuring actress Martha Raye.

In 1954, Ethel Merman, who was 46 years old, performed again as Reno in a live television version of the musical. This special version was part of The Colgate Comedy Hour and aired on February 28, 1954. Frank Sinatra played the lead character, now named Harry Dane. Bert Lahr, a friend of Merman’s who had previously acted with her in DuBarry Was a Lady on Broadway, played Moonface Martin. Sheree North also appeared in the production. This version used five original songs from the musical, along with other songs by Porter, and kept the setting on a ship, but the story was slightly different. Some reports say that Merman and Sinatra had difficulties working together. This version was released on DVD in 2011.

In 1962, a Norwegian-language television movie version of the musical, starring Per Asplin and Anita Thallaug, was shown as part of the NRK series Lommeoperetten [no].

Recordings

There are several well-known cast recordings of the show, including:

• 1935 Original London cast
• 1936 Studio cast
• 1950 Studio recording featuring Mary Martin
• 1953 Studio cast
• 1954 Television cast
• 1956 Film cast
• 1962 Off Broadway revival cast featuring Hal Linden
• 1969 London revival cast featuring Marion Montgomery
• 1987 Broadway revival cast featuring Patti LuPone and Howard McGillin
• 1988 Studio cast featuring Kim Criswell, conducted by John McGlinn
• 1989 Australian revival cast
• 1989 London revival cast featuring Elaine Paige
• 1995 Studio cast featuring Louise Gold
• 2003 London revival cast
• 2011 Broadway revival cast featuring Sutton Foster