Masquers on key with first-ever musical

A review by Erin Stuber

Herald editor

SOAP LAKE — The Masquers' presentation of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" includes everything a musical should: great big song and dance numbers, a love story, humor and a whole lot of charm.

The production debuted Friday night and ended in a well-deserved standing ovation for the 28-member cast.

There's a whole lot of local talent packed onto the Jolly Theater stage for "Anything Goes," including the quirky Bob Jasman as Moonface Martin and the heartthrob of the tale, Billy Crocker, played by young Joshua Matheson. Cheri Barbre is simply delightful as Bonnie, a role ideal for her innate sense of comedy. Eric Van Woert also provides comic relief and does it well as the bumbling drunk Whitney. Tere Ovenell and Eric Suitter fit like a glove into the stuffy parts of Mrs. Harcourt and Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, respectively. Stephanie Moore lends her lovely voice to the role of Hope Harcourt. All four angels — Purity (Danielle Boss), Charity (Katie McMains), Virtue (Diana Johnson) and Chastity (Cherie Kendall) — are fetching in tap shoes, and eighth-grader Jessie Adamson also lends her light feet to the dance numbers.

The rest of the cast is filled out with many faces familiar to local stages, as well as some newcomers. Others you may know better for their positions in unrelated arenas, like county treasurer Darryl Pheasant, who plays a sailor.

But it is without a doubt Karen Kinch who steals the show as sultry nightclub owner Reno Sweeney. As the star of the show, Kinch shines in every scene. She is the siren that lures the audience into the show, displaying both her singing and dancing talents as well as choreography skills, as she designed the steps for the entire production.

Director Randy Brooks said he'd been wanting to bring another production of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" to the Basin since he was in the musical himself, back in 1977 at Wallenstien Theater alongside actress Edie Adams.

Wallenstien was once known for its fabulous productions featuring well-known celebrities like Leonard Nimoy, Soupy Sales, Carol Lawrence, Howard Keel, Joe Namath and L'il Abner, who were brought in for big shows like "South Pacific."

Since then, it's been rare to see a musical in the Basin. There's so much that goes into such an endeavor and it takes an incredible number of people to make it work. It also requires a large stage, something the Soap Lake theater group hasn't had until the construction of its new Jolly Theater. The Masquers certainly pull it off with this one, from the outstanding cast to the colorful set design on the S.S. American (the work of Randy Johnstad), the splendid costumes (by Denise Keegan) and live musical accompaniment directed by Nancy Connelly.

Be sure not to miss "Anything Goes"; the Masquers are reputed for bringing exceptional local theater to the Basin, and their latest effort keeps up with that tradition.

Tickets are $12, and showtime is 8 p.m. on Oct. 28-29, Nov. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19. Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6.

Call the Masquers for reservations at 246-2611.