Anything Goes at Alterena Playhouse
Cole Porter's Beloved Chestnut
By: Victor Cordell - Mar 29, 2026
The Great American Musical has evolved through the years. In the early days, musicals were little more than a compilation of unrelated pop songs interspersed into a paper-thin story. Nowadays, they integrate thematic and often sophisticated songs into the plot; they may be sung-through like an opera; and un-frothy genres range from political to horror. But “back in the day” and particularly in 1934 in the midst of the Great Depression’s woes, audiences wanted fun-filled escapism and glamor. Into that breach came Cole Porter’s Anything Goes.
Set in the luxury of an ocean liner crossing the Atlantic to London, its passenger list is replete with the wealthy, the nobility, and importantly to other passengers, the famous. But in this case, the famous are on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. And for all of its superficial frivolity, the book and lyrics do contain some broadsides concerning the erosion of American morality and respect for the law that occurred as a result of the just repealed Prohibition. Even the original lyrics of the title song are racy and full of sneaky social commentary.
Thanks in part to revisions over the years which have tightened the storyline and borrowed several key songs from other Porter musicals, Anything Goes is often revived. Because of the large cast and frequent and diverse dancing, it is particularly popular with performing arts programs in schools. Altarena Playhouse has produced an appealing version that provides the kind of high-level entertainment that better community theaters are capable of.
Like many musicals, Anything Goes is ultimately about couples in love facing obstacles and overcoming them. Getting to the ultimate attachments is roundabout with a lot of implausible but engaging situations.
Billy Crocker, the central character, stows away on the S.S. American, on which his boss, a Wall Street magnate, is booked. Much of the plot is about Billy’s travails of not having a passport, a cabin, or clothes, other than what he’s wearing. Nico Jaochico is Billy, and the actor’s fit with the character is evident with Jaochico’s smiling enthusiasm, broad gesticulation, and comic delivery throughout. To avoid detection by his boss and the ship’s captain, Billy is constantly changing guises, including sailor, chef, and female, and the actor gets to display his versatility with voices and affect.
Through these changes, the score is full of melodic tunes. The first act alone has an incredible five songs that are standards in the American Songbook – “You’re the Top,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “Friendship,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and of course, “Anything Goes.” All are delivered joyously, and the title song has the addition of great tap dancing accompaniment which leaves the whole audience smiling.
The female lead is nightclub singer Reno Sweeney, who knew Billy before the cruise and had a crush on him. Performed by a compelling Seana Nicol, she possesses a strong singing voice and acting chops, and like Jaochico, has charisma that suits the role. Individually and together, they give fine renditions to the Porter tunes, but one weakness is Act 2’s “All Through the Night,” in which the orchestra arrangement overpowers the singing in what should be a very understated backing. Nonetheless, the decision to have Music Director Armando Fox and the other six musicians on stage and in uniforms creates the feeling of a shipboard orchestra and otherwise works well.
Another layer of the story could be labeled Damon-Runyon-goes-to-sea, as violent criminals who would have been sociopaths in real life are treated as harmless, goofy characters. The third lead in the show is the always reliable Dan Kolodny, who plays Moonface Martin, #13 on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, but who is disguised as a priest. He carries the passport of “Snake Eyes” Johnson, Public Enemy #1, who was to board the ship but was mistakenly left onshore. Moonface befriends Billy and allows him to use “Snake Eyes’” passport to have an identity. Being mistaken for a famous criminal initially benefits Billy, but he will eventually regret it.
Anything Goes is a funny romp, and Director Laura Morgan ensures crack delivery of the performances, and along with Set Designer Tom Curtin, they make great use of the small space to include a catwalk above the stage. Although the tap and other numbers with a dozen or so dancers is a bit congested, Choreographer Rachel King Campodonico makes the best of the limitations. While performances in supporting roles are uneven, most are adequate to make for an enjoyable production. Some voices are very good, led by Christina Swindlehurst Chan as Billy’s love interest, Hope.
Anything Goes with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and new book by Timothy Crouse & John Weidman, is produced by Altarena Playhouse and is performed on its stage at 1409 High Street, Alameda, CA through April 26, 2026.