Thursday, October 30, 2014
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
Rachelle Rose Clark is having a “De-Lovely” time.
The Southern California native landed the role of Hope Harcourt in the touring production of the Tony-Award winning revival of “Anything Goes.” The tour stops in Powers Auditorium in Youngstown on Tuesday for one performance.
Clark plays the role of Hope Harcourt, a principal role in the ever-popular musical that is packed with iconic songs by Cole Porter. The big numbers include “De-Lovely,” which features Clark.
The young actress graduated from the University of California-Irvine in June and learned she got the role almost immediately thereafter. It’s not a bad way to start a theater career.
“It’s definitely the biggest thing in my career so far,” said Clark, calling from Lawrence, Kan., last week before a performance. “It’s been amazing. I auditioned for it while I was still in school, and I was in a production at UC-Irvine when I found out I got the part. I was thrilled, and I still am.”
Clark has been involved in theater for most of her life but said she had never seen “Anything Goes” — a staple of school and community theaters — before she decided to audition.
The tour opened this month with an all-new cast, and Clark is having a ball.
“It’s one of the most fun shows,” she said. “It’s optimistic ... the perfect show to be doing for a year.”
The lighthearted musical, which premiered in 1934, is set aboard an ocean liner crossing the Atlantic.
A stowaway named Billy Crocker (played by Brian Krinsky) is in love with heiress Hope Harcourt (Clark), but she is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Richard Lindenfelzer). A nightclub singer on the ship named Reno Sweeney (Emma Stratton), with gangster Moonface Martin (Dennis Setteducati), help Billy in his quest to win over Hope.
In addition to “De-Lovely,” the musical also introduced the songs “Anything Goes,” “You’re the Top” and “I Get a Kick Out of You,” each delivered in grand style.
Those who have never seen the current version of “Anything Goes” — which won three Tony Awards in 2011, including Best Musical Revival and Best Choreography — should expect an extra dose of exuberance.
What is it about this revival and the tour that raises the bar?
“It’s the same director-choreographer as the original production,” said Clark. “It’s Kathleen Marshall’s original choreography, which she did on Broadway.”
The current tour was directed by Sean McKnight and Jennifer Savelli, who were both involved with the original touring production.
“They know it backward and forward, and we’re getting a lot of the original magic,” said Clark.
“There are big ballroom numbers, tap numbers and the original costumes, which are just gorgeous. We’re still fawning over each others’ dresses. The set is also great. It has all of the elements.”
The snazzy set recreates the deck of the giant ship, right down to the rivets. It includes a top deck and staircase that the choreography employs.
There is also an intangible element that elevates the touring production.
“The cast members are fun. They are hilarious, sweet and funny, and you can see that. It comes out in the show,” said Clark. “We’re together 24 hours a day, so we are close.”
Clark noted that the revival includes a few new songs, including one that she sings.
“My character has an added song called ‘Goodbye Little Dream,’ which is a bit more melancholy than the rest of the show,” she said.
“Anything Goes,” of course, has been a crowd-pleaser for decades, and it’s appeal hasn’t changed.
“It’s so happy and so funny,” said Clark. “With so many characters running around, and the play-on-words [in the script], there is not a dull moment.”