Dan's Papers - May 8, 2009 - Anything Goes: Community Theater at Its Best

The members behind the Springs Community Theater, a very talented and inspirational full fledged theater production company that started out as merely an idea, will have the honor of being the first company to bring a musical to the newly renovated John Drew Theater in East Hampton's Guild Hall the weekends of May 8 and 15.

Anything Goes, a hilarious musical comedy that takes place aboard a cruise ship, was written by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, with music and lyrics by the inimitable Cole Porter. It was first produced in New York on Broadway in 1934, and 75 years later, those lyrics are still edgy and the music fresh.

The Springs Community Theater production, directed by Peter Fitzgerald, is being produced by the founders of the group, Jayne Freedman and Barbara Mattson.

The musical is a real credit to Freedman and Mattson, two Springs locals. Freedman is a well known in the community in part due to her hair salon in Springs; Mattson is a seasoned real estate professional in East Hampton. The two started the theater group four years ago after they decided they wanted to fill what was perceived as a community theater void in East Hampton. After getting some generous funding from philanthropists Daniel and Joanna Rose of East Hampton, the theater group has gone from an idea to an energetic and talented grass roots group brimming with camaraderie and passion.

And one could say the same about the show, Anything Goes, itself. If rehearsals are any indication of what's to come opening night, it will be quite an achievement. Brett Chizever, the star of the show who's playing the role of Billy Crocker, is one of those rare young men who can sing, act and dance at the top level. Jessica Hewitt has a voice of gold, playing the provocative Reno Sweeny. Mathew Cossentino is hilarious and is perfectly cast in the role as Moonface Martin, and the same can be said for Bethany Dellapolla, a veteran local performer who has graced the stage of Bay Street Theater, Southampton Cultural Center and Guild Hall in the past. Scott Kennedy does a terrific job pulling off a British accent as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh and T.J. Clemente charms us all as Elisha J. Whitney.

Other cast members include East Enders Glenn Abramowitz, Courtney and Shelly Bennett, Rich Browning, Albert Goncalves, Karen Hochstedler, Kathy Horn, Nancy Karlebach, Josh King, Allison Koral, David MacGarva Jr., Ann Deborah Marshall, Cynthia Ryder and Mary Jane Seeley. The show's musical director is the talented Jay Bennett.

One of the show stoppers is sure to be the stunning tap dance performance by Reno Sweeney's "Angels" - a dynamic group of, for lack of a better phrase "hot chicks" onboard the cruise ship. The four angels are played by local girls Gigi Colavito (Freedman's daughter), Hannah Miller, Jenevieve Struck and Anika Hochstedler. All four of them have put together a tap dancing number that will knock your socks off, with professional choreography and an incredible amount of skill.

"I'm very, very excited," Freedman said. "It is going to be just a really great show."

Scheduled to be produced with a full orchestra at the new John Drew, it is sure to be an impressive piece of work. And with Porter's musical gems like the title song, "You're the Top" and "I Get a Kick out of You," it is ageless.

Not surprisingly, tickets are selling quickly in anticipation of the show, so it is highly recommended that you order tickets in advance. Order online at www.theatermania.com, or by calling 866-811-4111. Tickets to the show are $20.

Anything Goes will play May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 with show times on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m. The Springs Community Theater has partnered with The Hedges Inn for a full evening of dinner and theater. Tickets for the show and dinner at The Hedges Inn are $65.