by April Helms

Special Products Editor

Romance, mistaken identities, the search for celebrities and, of course, top-notch dancing make up Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," now on stage at Porthouse Theatre.

The musical, which opened June 12, received a hearty reaction from the June 14 audience, especially during the Act I finale's famous tap scene involving most of the cast and ensemble.

"The last dance scene was very well done," said Mark Richardson of Tallmadge at the intermission. "They always do a nice job here."

Natalie Cates of Mansfield agreed.

"I think it's really cool to see a whole cast tap dance," she said.

In the play, the love-besotted Billy Crocker (played by Justin Gentry) is trying to woo debutante Hope Harcourt (played by Kayce Cummings) away from her finace, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (played by Eric van Baars) -- going so far as to stow away on a ship to do so. Billy is helped along by criminal Moonface Martin (played by Rohn Thomas) and Erma (played by MaryAnn Black), who gives him a "spare" passport. Unfortunately, that passport belongs to a notorious criminal, so Billy is soon trying to dodge the ship's crew, his boss Elisha Whitney (played by Mark Monday) and Hope's mother (played by Susan Murphy). In the meantime, the ship's entertainer and Billy's friend Reno Sweeney (played by Sandra Emerick) tries to steer Billy her way.

"Anything Goes" includes a lot of memorable numbers, including the title song, "Blow Gabriel Blow" (a showstopper for Emerick), "It's De-lovely," "You're The Top" and "I Get a Kick Out of You."

Ticket and show information

Subscriptions are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 330-672-3884. Pricing ranges from $48 to $60 for adults; $42 to $60 for seniors; and $39 to $48 for students under 18 or with a valid college ID. In addition, the preview Thursday subscription series is $39 for anyone.

Productions run Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The box office is currently open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for phone and fax orders and accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover or personal check. Group tickets are also available for groups of 10 or more people.

Call the box office for discount pricing.

Box dinners will again be offered through Totally Cooked Catering. The picnic pavilion is also available for reservations.

Porthouse Theatre is on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

For details, visit www.porthousetheatre.com.

Next on stage

Porthouse will next produce "Alice ..." July 3 through 19.

The play, based on the classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," is by Matthew Earnest, who wrote and directed last year's "Peter Pan" at Porthouse.

The official opening night celebration will be July 4. Tickets for opening night are $27 for adults and seniors, and $19 for students.

Activities such as lawn games and badminton will be featured before the show. After the show, there will be a performance by the Brass Band of the Western Reserve as well as a picnic reception.

Project Ed Bear

Porthouse has partnered with Project Ed Bear for its 40th anniversary. Project Ed Bear is a volunteer organization that collects and distributes teddy bears and other comforts to pediatric oncology patients throughout Northeast Ohio.

Porthouse will contribute $4 of every "Music Man" adult priced ticket during opening weekend and 10 percent of all concession sales for the season to Project Ed Bear.

"The Music Man," the third and final show of the summer 2008 season, will open July 24 and run through Aug. 10.

40th anniversary reunion event

Porthouse Theatre is calling all alumni -- actors, designers, crew members, box office staff and others -- who have worked with the theater in any capacity through the years.

There will be a special reunion party Aug. 2 following the performance of "The Music Man" in the picnic pavilion. A buy one, get one free ticket offer is offered for alums of the theater, based on ticket availability, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Call the box office at 330-627-2497 Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for details or reservations.