Evanston, IL – Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works) presents Cole Porter’s classic 1930s musical comedy, ANYTHING GOES, at Cahn Auditorium in Evanston, August 18 through 26. A Big Band orchestra accompanies such well-known songs as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “Friendship” and “You’re the Top.”
ANYTHING GOES is directed by Music Theater Works artistic director Rudy Hogenmiller, conducted by Roger L. Bingaman and choreographed by Clayton Cross.
The cast includes Erica Evans (Reno Sweeney), Ken Singleton (Billy Crocker), Lexis Danca (Hope Harcourt) and Brian Zane (Moonface Martin).
The design/production team is Kristen Martino (scenic), Alexa Weinzierl (costumes), Andrew H. Meyers (lighting), Aaron Quick (sound), Sean McStravick (stage manager), Christina L. Reszel (hair and make-up), Jamie Karas (props master) and Katie Beeks (production manager).
The opening night reception is sponsored by The Stained Glass in Evanston.
ANYTHING GOES is Music Theater Works’ second production of 2018. The season will continue with JUDY GARLAND: COME RAIN OR COME SHINE starring Angela Ingersoll (October 5-14) and Stephen Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS (December 22-31).
Discounted season ticket packages are still available.
Ticket prices for ANYTHING GOES begin at $34. Ages 25 and younger are half price (recommended for 8 and older). To order tickets, or for more information, call the Music Theater Works box office at (847) 920-5360 or order online 24 hours a day at www.MusicTheaterWorks.com
Director/Music Director/Choreographer Biographies
RUDY HOGENMILLER (Director), artistic director of Music Theater Works, has directed or directed and choreographed many productions for the company including THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, PETER PAN, DUKE ELLINGTON’S GREATEST HITS, GYPSY, CANDIDE, DIE FLEDERMAUS, LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU: JULE STYNE’S GREATEST HITS, MAME, MY FAIR LADY, GUYS AND DOLLS, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE FANTASTICKS, THE MERRY WIDOW, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, H.M.S. PINAFORE, OLIVER!, MAN OF LA MANCHA, CAMELOT, BRIGADOON, HELLO, DOLLY!, THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD, KISS ME, KATE, THE MIKADO and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Hogenmiller was seen on the Music Theater Works stage in 2014 as Mr. Applegate in DAMN YANKEES, and as the Emcee in CABARET in 2013. He has directed and choreographed for many other companies, including Northlight Theatre, Chamber Opera Chicago, Pegasus Players, Theatre at the Center and Marriott Theatre. He has been recognized with six Joseph Jefferson Awards and 17 nominations for best direction and choreography in Chicago, and has been a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers for more than 35 years.
ROGER L. BINGAMAN (Music Director and Conductor) conducts the Big Band orchestra. Bingaman made his first appearance on the Music Theater Works podium in 1997, conducting THE MERRY WIDOW. Since then he has conducted many productions, including PETER PAN, GYPSY, CANDIDE, DIE FLEDERMAUS, MAME, MY FAIR LADY, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE FANTASTICKS, CABARET, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, H.M.S. PINAFORE, OLIVER!, CAMELOT, THE STUDENT PRINCE, BRIGADOON, HELLO, DOLLY! CAROUSEL, and THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD, as well as THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE MUSIC MAN, IOLANTHE, GIGI, OKLAHOMA!, BITTER SWEET, KISS ME, KATE, 110 IN THE SHADE, NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY and BEAUTIFUL HELEN OF TROY. Bingaman has been director of the apprentice program and chorus master for the Sarasota Opera since 1998.
CLAYTON CROSS (Choreographer) choreographed THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, PETER PAN, GYPSY, CANDIDE, MAME, MY FAIR LADY and GUYS AND DOLLS at Music Theater Works, where he also played Tulsa in GYPSY, the Mute in THE FANTASTICKS and was a featured dancer in DAMN YANKEES. Cross served for five years as artistic advisor, board member and choreographer for Renegade Dance Architects, and continues to consult and contribute choreography to the Capitol One Bowl’s ALL AMERICAN HALFTIME SHOW. He is a master teacher for M.A. Dance, a Texas-based traveling convention circuit, where he has worked and judged for the past 18 years. Throughout his 20-year career as a dancer, Cross has worked with Robert Battle, Fernando Bujones, Frank Chaves, Paul Taylor, and Ann Reinking. He was featured in EVERY DANCER HAS A STORY, a PBS special about the River North Chicago Dance Company, where he was a company member for nine seasons and toured nationally and internationally. Originally from Midland, Texas, Cross received his early training from La Petite Dance Company, Coleman Academy, and the Midland Community Theatre. He holds a BFA in ballet and modern dance from Texas Christian University.
Cast Biographies
ERICA EVANS (Reno Sweeney) returns to Music Theater Works where she was last seen as Lola in DAMN YANKEES. Other Chicago credits include SOUTH PACIFIC, 42ND STREET, CHICAGO, CRAZY FOR YOU and HAZEL (Drury Lane Theatre), MAMMA MIA! (Marriott Theatre), OKLAHOMA! (Paramount Theatre), THE LITTLE MERMAID (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), and A FUNNY THING…FORUM (Porchlight Music Theatre). She is a proud graduate of Indiana University and a member of Actors’ Equity Association.
KEN SINGLETON (Billy Crocker) makes his Music Theater Works debut. He recently appeared in OKLAHOMA! and RAGTIME at Marriott Theatre. Other credits include THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES (Marriott Theatre), MARIE CHRISTINE (Bohemian Ensemble Theatre), THE MOST HAPPY FELLA (Theo Ubique), CAROUSEL, MARY POPPINS, TITANIC, and GASLIGHT (Timber Lake Playhouse).
LEXIS DANCA (Hope Harcourt) made her Music Theater Works debut as Louise in GYPSY last summer. She was recently seen as Mrs. Potiphar in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Drury Lane Theatre and in the ensemble of A WONDERFUL LIFE at Theatre at the Center. At Music Theatre Wichita she has appeared in MAMMA MIA! (Sophie Sheridan), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Babette), OKLAHOMA!, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, AIDA, DISNEY’S MY SON PINOCCHIO, BIG FISH, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, and HELLO, DOLLY! She is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent and holds a BFA in musical theatre with a dance minor from Millikin University. www.lexisdanca.com
BRIAN ZANE (Moonface Martin) returns to Music Theater Works where he’s previously appeared as Luther Billis in SOUTH PACIFIC, Mendel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and Vernon in DAMN YANKEES. Chicago credits include Stan Fine in FAR FROM HEAVEN and Buddy in CITY OF ANGELS at Porchlight Music Theatre, Tom in THE GLASS MENAGERIE and Mitch in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE with the JPAC Theatre. Regional credits include Riff in WEST SIDE STORY, Picasso in PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, Franz in THE PRODUCERS (Charleston Stage Company), El Gallo in THE FANTASTICKS (Crossroads Rep), and Sam/George (u/s) in A WONDERFUL LIFE (Armory Theatre). Brian holds an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU and is a committed theatre teacher at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago.
Music Theater Works (formerly Light Opera Works) is a resident professional not-for-profit theater in Evanston, founded in 1980. The company’s mission is to produce and present musical theater from a variety of world traditions. All productions are presented in English, with foreign works done in carefully edited modern translations. Maximum scholarship is employed to preserve the original vocal and orchestral material as well as the spirit of the original text whenever possible. Audiences know that at Music Theater Works they will experience repertoire often unavailable on the stages of commercial theaters and opera houses, in modern productions with professional artists and full orchestra.
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