
Photo by Joan Marcus
As these characters collide, all sorts of silly gags unfold, including a rather racist subplot involving two Chinese passengers that inexplicably survived the book's updating. Sometimes these jokes fall flat, but not to worry: Like any good, old-fashioned musical, the plot exists solely to couch show-stopping song-and-dance numbers—and there's always a number right around the corner. Even if you don't know Anything Goes, you’ll know these classic Cole Porter songs; “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top” and “It’s De-lovely” all appear in this musical.
And the dancing—oh, the dancing. Director Kathleen Marshall's choreography, abetted by Martin Pakledinaz's costumes, is ravishing. When the ensemble shows up full-force for “Anything Goes” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” tapping and spinning and waving their hands in the air with military precision and unstoppable energy, you'll find yourself transfixed.
Yes, times may have changed, but it seems the pleasures derived from well-executed Broadway excess have endured.