"ANYTHING GOES"

By Cole Porter

Sunday afternoon Cliff and I attended this musical comedy presented by Foothill Community College.  Their productions are absolutely first rate, from the acting to singing, dancing, sets, lighting, sound, costumes -- the whole ball of wax.  And what is even more amazing is that this is all local talent!

I was a bit surprised, though, to see that the U.S. Navy had supplied the ushers.  Here were sailors in dress whites showing people to their seats.  Oh, wait.  Um, actually they were cast members.  The musical was Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, which takes place on an ocean liner.  This musical may predate many of you.  The songs are nearly as old as I am, but this was some of the music I grew up with in the ’30’s, including the title song “Anything Goes”, “You’re the Top”,  “Easy to Love,”  “Friendship,” “It’s De-Lovely”, “All Through the Night” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow”.

Yes, we had a grand time.


At rehearsal, back stage

Funny -
This is the story about the married couple who really didn't get along very well.  Then there came a day when the wife died, and found herself in front of the Pearly Gates.  St. Peter said to her, "There is a test you must pass in order for me to let you in."  "Oh, okay," she said, "what is the test?"  "You must correctly spell the word love.  Well, that was easy, and she was admitted to Heaven.

One day, sometime later, St. Peter came to her and said that he had something to do, and he wanted her to take over his duties at the gate.  And it turned out that that was the day her husband died, and  found himself in front of the Pearly Gates.  In accordance with the rules, she said to him, "There is a test you must pass in order for me to let you in."  "Oh, okay," he said, "what is the test?"  "Spell  Czechoslovakia."