Photos by Jeremy Daniel
The national tour of Anything Goes, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter’s timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece, will make its Fort Lauderdale premiere Tuesday, May 5 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for a limited two week run and then make its premier at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts starting May 26.
The Broadway in Fort Lauderdale 2014-2015 subscription season is made possible with the generous support of Bank of America and is presented by Florida Theatrical Association in association with The Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Emma Stratton will star as Reno Sweeney with Brian Krinsky as Billy Crocker. The principal cast also includes Tracy Bidleman as Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Stephen Mark as John, Rachelle Rose Clark as Hope Harcourt, Michael R. Douglass as Elisha Whitney, Roy Flores as Luke, Kenny Francoeur as Purser, Richard Lindenfelzer as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, Drew Martin as Captain, Mychal Phillips as Erma, and Dennis Setteducati as Moonface Martin.
I was lucky enough to sit down with Dennis Setteducati for a small interview.
What was your first professional role?
My first role was about seven years ago in a show called “The Drowsy Chaperone” where I played a gangster. That show was with NETworks Production, the same company as the Anything Goes tour.
Other than Anything Goes, what have been your favorite roles?
Well, I loved “Drowsy,” but I also loved the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz, and I also loved being in Fiddler on the Roof.
How hard is it to be away from your friends and family while touring?
It is very difficult as we are separated from reality and we miss events like weddings, holidays, etc. So there is a lot of Skyping, e-mailing, and texting to try our best to stay in touch with friends and family at home.
What’s your favorite song in Anything Goes?
The number I have with Reno Sweeney called “Friendship.” We play to the audience and it’s a fun, up-lifting, easy song.
What should the Fort Lauderdale audience expect from this production of Anything Goes?
Anything Goes is a shining example of a musical comedy and we have a very talented group of actors. We love what we are doing and it shines through to the audience and they have an awesome time as well.
We are very excited to come to Fort Lauderdale. The cast has been looking forward to it for a long time.
Filled with such all-time show stopping hits as “Blow Gabriel Blow,” “You’re The Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You”, and, of course, the title song, Anything Goes features music and lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; and new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman.
The creative team includes music direction by Robbie Cowan with additional orchestrations by Bill Elliot, original scenic design by Derek McLane coordinated by James Kronzer, original costumes by Martin Pakledinaz coordinated by Jimm Halliday, lighting design by Anthony 
Anything Goes, the 1934 musical comedy about the lovers, liars and clowns on a transatlantic cruise is “a daffy, shipshape romp!” – Variety. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.
Anything Goes will play at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts May 5 through May 17, 2015. Tickets are available at the Box Office (201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale). You can also visit browardcenter.org or call 954-462-0222. Orders for groups of ten (10) or more may be placed by calling 954-660-6307.
Anything Goes will play at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando from May 26 through May 31. Tickets are available at the Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Ave. Orlando), or by going to drphillipscenter.org.
Anything Goes is produced by NETworks Presentations. For more information, visit AnythingGoesTheMusical.com.
