It’s the first month of 2018 and Madison Theatre is already hard at work rehearsing their next show: the musical comedy Anything Goes.

Auditions took place on January 5 and those who auditioned anxiously awaited the cast list over that weekend. The cast list quickly came out just a day later. Those who were granted a part quickly became ecstatic for this dance heavy musical, especially the Anything Goes tap number.

Junior Eric Larkins mentioned that he feels more prepared for the tap dancing since he had a lot of practice in The Little Mermaid’s tap number, “Positoovity.” “I’m really excited about it. I tap danced in The Little Mermaid, so I’m pretty excited to be able to tap dance in Anything Goes.”

However, some students such as Junior Bergen Cornelius, have never auditioned or participated in a show and decided to give Anything Goes a try.

“For one of my resolutions, I wanted to stand out and do things a little differently. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try new things, and I think theater is one of those things I’m going to try.”

Laughing, Cornelius mentioned that he can’t sing.

“That’s going to be a challenging thing, but I feel like I could be a good actor,” Cornelius said.

Cornelius was excited to find his name amongst the other 34 students that made an appearance on the cast list. One of those 34 students, sophomore Sam Hall, also auditioned for the first time. Hall was cast as Billy’s understudy as well as a sailor in the ensemble. Being an understudy requires the actor to memorize all their character’s lines, songs, blocking, and choreography just in case the original actor for the part can no longer go on because of illness, a physical ailment, or other emergency.

It is a tremendous amount of work when put on top of having a part in the ensemble as well.

Hall said, “It’s definitely going to be a challenge. I’m very nervous because I’ve never been in a play before and having to memorize all of Billy’s lines, dances, and songs as well as my ensemble part is going to be challenging. However, I am thoroughly excited to be participating in such an amazing show and I can’t wait for opening night.”

Anything Goes takes place on the ocean liner American where nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and her buddy Billy Crocker are aboard.   Billy stows away on the ship to be close to his love, Hope Harcourt. However, conflicts arise when he discovers that she is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.

Since this show has multiple tap numbers, students are prepared to go above and beyond and work countless hours to perfect every dance and song. The show will be performed at Madison Theatre’s Opal E. Sherman auditorium March 2nd at 7:00 P.M., the 3rd at 2:30 and 7:00 P.M., as well as the 4th at 2:30 P.M.