Student-performers go cruising in new tap dancing show
Michelle Euperio
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News
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Anything goes for the students aboard a cruise ship portraying tap dancing angels, sailors, gangsters and nightclub evangelizers in the musical "Anything Goes" at the W.E. Scott Theatre today through Sunday.
"Anything Goes" is a musical comedy, set in the 1930s, about a man named Billy Crocker, played by sophomore musical theater and entrepreneurial management major Preston Swincher. Crocker pursues the love of his life,, aboard a cruise ship and gets caught up with the people on the ship's escapades.
"This is a fun, classic piece of fluff musical," said Alan Shorter, director of the show. "The show has everything but the kitchen sink, and some of the lines are just wonderfully lame."
There are 30 cast members who have all had different levels of tap dance training.
Many of the characters in the show are over-the-top individuals who pretend to be something else for fear of getting hurt.
Curtis Shideler, a senior radio-TV-film major, portrays Moonface Martin, a gangster who is known as "public enemy No. 13" but aspires to be "public enemy No. 1" and still manages to be a good friend with a sensitive side.
"These characters are not really true to themselves," Shideler said. "They become real when they stop pretening and drop that front. Those become the best moments in the show."
Rebekah Fear, a senior radio-TV-film and theater major, portrays Reno Sweeney, a nightclub singer-turned-evangelist who uses her sex appeal to teach the Gospel.
"She's sarcastic, loud, does everything big, but still fears getting hurt," Fear said.
The show has a hidden lesson about following one's heart, to keep hoping for the best and always be optimistic, Shorter said.
Although most TCU theatre productions are free, some students do not mind paying $5 to see the tap dancing cast.
"I have seen a production of the show in Nebraska and it was disappointing," said Tim Halperin, a freshman marketing major. "I am looking forward to seeing the dancing and singing here. It's all about the music for me."
"Anything Goes" is a musical comedy, set in the 1930s, about a man named Billy Crocker, played by sophomore musical theater and entrepreneurial management major Preston Swincher. Crocker pursues the love of his life,, aboard a cruise ship and gets caught up with the people on the ship's escapades.
"This is a fun, classic piece of fluff musical," said Alan Shorter, director of the show. "The show has everything but the kitchen sink, and some of the lines are just wonderfully lame."
There are 30 cast members who have all had different levels of tap dance training.
Many of the characters in the show are over-the-top individuals who pretend to be something else for fear of getting hurt.
Curtis Shideler, a senior radio-TV-film major, portrays Moonface Martin, a gangster who is known as "public enemy No. 13" but aspires to be "public enemy No. 1" and still manages to be a good friend with a sensitive side.
"These characters are not really true to themselves," Shideler said. "They become real when they stop pretening and drop that front. Those become the best moments in the show."
Rebekah Fear, a senior radio-TV-film and theater major, portrays Reno Sweeney, a nightclub singer-turned-evangelist who uses her sex appeal to teach the Gospel.
"She's sarcastic, loud, does everything big, but still fears getting hurt," Fear said.
The show has a hidden lesson about following one's heart, to keep hoping for the best and always be optimistic, Shorter said.
Although most TCU theatre productions are free, some students do not mind paying $5 to see the tap dancing cast.
"I have seen a production of the show in Nebraska and it was disappointing," said Tim Halperin, a freshman marketing major. "I am looking forward to seeing the dancing and singing here. It's all about the music for me."
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