Harwood presents spring musical, ‘Anything Goes,’ April 3-5
March 23, 2025 | By Lisa ScagliottiZoe Blackman as Reno Sweeny, and Tarin Askew as Billy Crocker. Courtesy photo
Harwood Union High School presents a comedy for its spring musical this year with four performances of the classic “Anything Goes” set for April 3-5.
Director Scott Weigand’s enthusiastic description of the show calls it “the hilarious shipboard romp wrapped around one of Cole Porter's most magical scores.”
The story: A “delightful, madcap adventure” aboard the S.S. American ocean liner, where nightclub singer Reno Sweeney is en route from New York to England. Her pal Billy Crocker has stowed away to be near his love, Hope Harcourt, but Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. With the help of Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin, and a crew of singing sailors, Reno and Billy try to win the day.
Four performances are planned Thursday-Saturday, April 3-5, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. A 1:30 p.m. family-friendly matinee on April 5 will allow time for an introduction to the orchestra before the curtain opens and an opportunity for kids in the audience to meet the cast on stage after the show.
The cast: Senior Zoe Blackman is Reno Sweeny, sophomore Tarin Askew is Billy Crocker, and seniors Kai Haddock and Ellie Buckingham play Moonface Martin and Erma Latour, respectively. Also featured are seniors Elsie Pawul, Trevor Deschamps, Seneca Whittingham and Theo Ritter; juniors Max Maylin, Maddie Stephen, Aiden Heath, and sophomore Mar Greene.
A large cast of singing and dancing sailors, passengers, and some surprises fill out the cast under the guidance of Weigand and Music Director Molly Clark and Choreographer Mary Chudzik.
“There is something for everyone in this show,” Weigand said. “Singing, dancing, comedy, love, heartbreak – it has it all! This show is a true classic, with songs you didn't realize you knew.”
Tickets: Available at the door. $10 for adults, $5 for students.
Rehearsal for the Harwood cast of 'Anything Goes.' Courtesy photo
The production also will benefit from some recent fundraising that has covered the purchase of several new wireless microphones for student actors to use in the show.
“We raised $7,000, enough to add six brand-new microphones for the show,” Weigand said. “We will be rolling out our major auditorium fundraiser at the musical.”
Earlier this year, Weigand announced an effort to raise money to help with some technology purchases, the top priority being new mics. Aging school equipment has been in need of replacing and for the past two years, the theater department’s plays and musicals have relied on rentals, he explained.
Other elements of the auditorium’s infrastructure are also in need of updating, hence a wider fundraising campaign is in the wings. Expenses for updating auditorium features have not been included in school budgets for this year or next year given recent financial pressures to streamline school spending in light of significant tax increases.
In addition to the support for the tech items, the cast put out a call this spring for sponsors to donate ahead of “Anything Goes” with the goal to “sponsor an actor” to help with production costs such as costumes and supplies for sets and props. Community members may still contribute to sponsor the musical through this week. Checks may be made to Harwood Union High School and dropped at the school office or mailed to 458 VT RT 100, Moretown, VT 05660. Note “Musical” on the memo line.
For more information, contact Weigand at scweigand@huusd.org or Harwood music teacher Molly Clark mclark@huusd.org.