Principal Cast for 2015 Opera Australia Production of "Anything Goes" Announced

Anything Goes has captivated millions of people over decades with its delightful story of madcap antics aboard the S.S. American. The winner of three Tony Awards, Anything Goes is a nautical favorite and is returning to Australia in 2015 with a brand new production that reunites Opera Australia with producer John Frost, as their production of The King And I wraps up in Melbourne.

Yesterday, the principal cast was announced for the new Australian production. Leading the all-star cast of its Australian run is Caroline O’Connor as evangelist turned nightclub singer Reno Sweeney.

Todd McKenney will play Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, the wealthy English fiancé of Hope. One of Australia’s most respected and recognized actresses, Carmen Duncan, will make her musical theatre debut as Evangeline Harcourt, Hope’s haughty and overbearing mother.

The Captain of the S.S. American will be played by radio personality Alan Jones.
Wayne Scott Kermond will play Moonface Martin, a second-rate gangster who is “Public Enemy Number 13”.

Debora Krizak, recently nominated for Helpmann Awards for her work on both A Chorus Line and Sweet Charity, will play Erma, Moonface’s girlfriend.
Billy Crocker, the young Wall Street broker in love with Hope will be played by Alex Rathgeber, and Claire Lyon will be Hope Harcourt, an American debutante and the object of Billy’s affection. Alex and Claire have also starred internationally in The Phantom of the Opera.

They will all be directed by Dean Bryant and choreographed by Andrew Hallsworth, who are now a Helpmann Award-winning team.

SEASON DETAILS
Princess Theatre, Melbourne
Season: From 31 May, 2015
Performance Times: Wed–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 3pm
Price: From $79.90*
Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 111 011 // Groups of 12 or more call 1300 889 278

Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
Season: From 28 July, 2015
Performance Times: Wed–Sat 8.00pm, Matinees Tues, Wed & Sat 1.30pm & Sun 3pm
Price: From $79.90*
Bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246 // Groups of 12 or more 07 3840 7466

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Season: From 8 September, 2015
Performance Times: Wed–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues, Wed & Sat 1pm, Sun 3pm
Price: From $79.90*
Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com or 9250 7777 // Ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 723 038 // Groups of 12 or more call 02 8240 2290

Photo by Johnny Au

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.