Anything Goes, “Anything Goes”

Cole Porter wrote the lyrics and music for the musical Anything Goes. Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse collaborated on the original book, which Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse significantly rewrote. The plot centers on the outrageous activities taking place on a cruise ship traveling from New York to London. The heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, and stowaway Billy Crocker are in love. Billy receives assistance in his efforts to woo Hope from nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy Number 13, "Moonface" Martin.

Patti LuPone turns and offers the audience a lingering wink just before she clears the decks to make room for a cool nautical tap-dance performance in "Anything Goes" at the Tony Awards. This is both a come-on and a lighthearted signal that the event is all in good fun. Cole Porter's sprightly lark was refurbished for its return to Broadway after fifty years, and Michael Smuin's dances flawlessly convey the vintage vibe—especially in the title track, performed by crewmen in white and women in barely anything. With a voice that could tremble any ship's timbers and a lustiness that screams, "Hey, sailor!" LuPone, who is arguably the last of the great Broadway broads, anchors the song.

Year: 1988