NKU’s “Anything Goes” was nothing short of extraordinary. The first show back in the Corbett Theatre was supposed to be special, and it was just that.
You have to think, when a show has run for 90 years, something is working. Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, the playwrights, put comedy, talent and mischief into one piece of art and made it the masterpiece it is. The show does not have to prove itself any longer.
Although the story is continuously being revised with the moving times, what truly keeps this Broadway musical as successful as it is? The talented people executing it.
NKU students had big tap shoes to fill with legends such as Sutton Foster having taken this show to a new level for our generation. Well, three outstanding scoundrels blew the audience off the ship’s deck and out of the water again.
Billy Crocker
Mature, stylish, debonair, hysterical. Billy Crocker (James Lindeman) is a young businessman who is ready to risk it all to be with the love of his life, Hope Harcourt (Marlo D’Ascenzo).
Lindeman was a lead that makes everyone else a part of the performance. Through great chemistry with his love interest, an obvious connection with his comedic partner (Cody Combs) and vocals that aligned wonderfully with the female lead (Kristin Kaufman), Lindeman was “De-lovely” to watch.
He tied all aspects of the performance together.
Reno Sweeney
A vocal powerhouse. Kristen Kaufman was a showstopper.
Reno Sweeney (Kaufman) is challenged with fast-paced tap numbers, and is the only one that has to belt the centerpiece note after. Kaufman saw this challenge through.
A triple threat was what she was. She brought every step, every note and every line to life, captivating the audience. Whether it was an amusing duet like “Gypsy In Me” or an absurd full company number such as “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” Kaufman poured into her performance.
People are on the edge of their seats for Sweeney.
Moonface Martin
Moonface, you are mistaken…There was nothing wrong here.
To embody a role is an intricate skill to obtain. Cody Combs seamlessly morphed into Moonface Martin, the hilarious gangster onboard the S.S. American, and the audience was fortunate to witness the culmination of hard work.
Combs left no one wondering if he was dedicated to this role. He did not miss an opportunity to make the crowd laugh and was an infectious energy on stage.
Walking on stage in his Moonface Martin walk before the lights were even on, or making the crowd chuckle during a serious scene by just letting his stature and face be the character, surpassed the expectations of an actor.
His performance of “Be Like The Bluebird” showed how you don’t need a big spacious stage or props to execute a lasting laugh.
Coming across a comedic role in which the character excels in all categories was refreshing. When it came time to have a strong vocal performance or tap right alongside cast members who were dancing the whole show, he fulfilled his duty.
Cody Combs did not allow a smile to leave the audience’s faces during his performance.