Morgan Brings Back Its First-Ever Musical—Anything Goes—for 50th Anniversary Show
From March 17 to 20, Morgan Musical Theatre celebrates its 50th production and marks the 30th collaboration between the school’s music and artistic director, John Lampe, and his choreographer, Diana Dart Harris. In honor of their three decades together, Lampe and Harris have reprised the show that brought them together—Cole Porter’s Anything Goes.
A madcap story of lovers, gangsters, sailors, and schemers aboard an ocean liner bound for London from New York, Anything Goes was the first musical that Lampe directed at The Morgan School. The year was 1986, and his choreographer was high school senior Diana Dart. The two have worked together on every production since.
“Since Anything Goes was the first show Diana and I did together, we thought it would be fitting that it should be the last one we do on the Gagnon Auditorium stage before we move to the new school,” Lampe said.
Other shows with encore performances at Morgan have been Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, Once Upon a Mattress, and How to Succeed in Business.
“We repeated them because it was the right show for that particular cast,” said Lampe. “I have no real favorites—they’re all my babies!”
As artistic director, Lampe oversees the entire production.
“I teach the kids their music, stage the production, conduct the orchestra, and arrange for the set to be built.”
Though he doesn’t play favorites, there are some shows he’ll never do—or never do again.
“I stay away from the more adult ones with mature subject matter, like Rent or Chicago,” he said. “There’s already enough wonderful material out there without having to select something that may be controversial.
“There’s definitely one show I’ll never do again...Wildcat, by Cy Coleman. It’s got a great score, but a lousy book. I thought I could make it work, but nothing can repair terrible writing,” he explained. “It had a short run on Broadway with Lucille Ball, but when she left, the show closed.”
Wildcat was Ball’s first—and last—Broadway performance, and both the show and its star were widely considered flops.
Lampe notes that some musicals are more challenging than others.
“The technical aspect sure can complicate things—for example, if it includes flying or special effects,” he said.
Set design also varies from show to show, and some musical scores are more difficult than others.
For a spring musical, work begins in the fall.
“I start the ball rolling, since I do both the staging and music. Then I talk it over with my choreographer, and I choose the show geared to the talent pool I’ve got for the year,” he said. “Final decisions are made by October.”
He added, “The musicals here are a community event for all ages. For our student performers, being a part of the musical develops social skills and discipline, but most of all it’s fun!”
And it doesn’t happen without a big assist from a crew that includes Morgan band director Ray Smith and alumnus Matt McKinney, who are the show’s light and sound advisors; Lampe’s wife, Elaine, a retired Joel School teacher in charge of tickets and the business side of it; librarian Shannon Robinson and parents Cheryl Waterbury and Laura Bencivengo, who handle costumes; and of course, choreographer Diana Dart Harris.
“It’s been 30 years since our first collaboration on Anything Goes,” said Lampe. “Diana and I have grown so much since then—or at least I’d like to think we have! For me, the second time is always more exciting.”
In this year’s dual-cast production, Mateo Zumpano and Brett Martin will play Billy Crocker in alternate performances. Leading ladies Meghan Lindsay and Claudia Nedderman are Hope Harcourt, while Sarah Jackson and Karla Rivadeneira give voice to nightclub singer Reno Sweeney. Gangster Moonface Martin, otherwise known as Public Enemy 13, is played by Seth Warner and Sam Shapiro. Other main characters include Bonnie (Kayla Burt, Sasha Krivosky), Sir Evelyn Oakley (Andrew Tessman, Matt Beauvais), Mrs. Harcourt (Jazmyn Sherman, Taylor Bergeron), Elisha Whitney (Brendan Elrick, Stephen Zumpano), Captain (Miles Waterbury), Bishop (Santiago Hebert, Chris Mercier), Ching (Will Roberts, Kelsey Hopkins), and Ling (Tyler Manemeit, David LaRiviere).
The show’s big numbers include “It’s De-Lovely,” “Friendship,” “I Get a Kick out of You,” “All Through the Night,” “Anything Goes,” and “You’re the Top.”
Anything Goes boasts a cast of nearly 50 with a live orchestra, colorful costumes, and a set featuring the S.S. American. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 860-664-6547.