'Anything Goes' for cast of Naperville Central comedy
Part of Balint Virag's experience as an exchange student from Hungary will be appearing in a Naperville Central High School production of a classic American Broadway hit, "Anything Goes."
The Cole Porter musical is set aboard an ocean liner bound for London from New York and involves the entanglements that arise when a group of strangers' worlds collide.
"The characters are a bunch of people who are not even connected at the beginning of the show," said Virag, who is staying as a guest with a Naperville family while he spends his senior year at Central.
"I like the comic elements of it. It's really a quick-moving farce. Every single line has a joke in it."
The show opens tonight for a three-performance run in Central's main auditorium.
Virag, who sings in Central's concert choir and is a drummer back home in Budapest, plays two parts. He's cast as an FBI agent and as a sailor.
"It's a lot of fun. It's hard work, but a lot of fun," he said, adding that the script is so funny, he has to work hard not to break character.
"What I find really hard, sometimes, is not to laugh on stage," he said.
Virag said he also likes the "really jazzy" music, composed in the 1930s.
The title song, "Anything Goes," is perhaps the most recognizable number in the show, said Curt Parry, Central chorale director who is serving as producer and musical director of the show.
Other well-known songs include "You're the Top," "Friendship," "It's DeLovely," and "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," Parry said.
"It's a very classical musical score, very sophisticated melodies. It's challenging for the pit orchestra. There's a lot for them to learn," Parry said.
The orchestra also has to adjust to playing in front of the audience. Parry said the musicians will be on an elevated platform on the stage, where they will become players in the show from time to time, portraying the shipboard orchestra.
The cast includes 53 students.
"This is a big dancing show. There is tap dancing. There are a couple of big production numbers," Parry said, adding that the show features "high-powered choreography" directed by choreographer Rachael Pazdan.
The drama director is communication arts teacher Mike Doman; technical director is auditorium manager Nick France; and the costume designer is Kris Visher.
If you go
What: "Anything Goes"
Who: Naperville Central High School students
When: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Naperville Central High School main auditorium, 440 W. Aurora Ave.
Tickets: $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and students
Info: (630) 420-6834 or naperville203.org
'Anything Goes' cast
FBI Agent: Adam Bigott, Balint Virag
Moonface Martin: Ryan Clayton
Ensemble: Gabriella DeDivitis, Monica DeIorio, Elyse Doll, Jenny Duffy, Sarah Fusco, Sarah Geraci, Carolyn Gerken, Julie Gerken, Jeena Heerdt, McCall Henderson, Jackie Hoffman, Britney Holmberg, Kaylin Jamnicki, Chelsea Kaufman, Shelby Klose, Nikki Miller, Grant Myatt. Lindsey Rose, Emma Rueth, Stephanie Schmidt, Lydia Seabrook, Tara Shenoy, Kristen Strom, Elizabeth Van, Emily Van, Emily Walker, Becca Wilson
Singing Angel: Sarah Duffy, Jenna Liddle, Julie Pelligrino, Evelyn Walker
Ship's Captain: Jeff Gordon
Dancing Angel: Kristen Heinekam, Kelly Lamich, Sarah Nelson, Olivia Palak, Samee Wolfe
Ensemble Feature Dancer: Sarah Hollander, Carley Jungnicke, Katherine Kenefake, Madison McLean, Danielle Spence, Chelsea Ward, Rachel Weeks, Becky Wolfe
Reno Sweeney: Lauren Kerbs
Billy Crocker: John Ludlam
Hope Harcourt: Kathleen Manning
Henry T. Dobson: Michael Miller
Purser: Matt Mitchell
Eli Whitney: Cameron Petti
Lord Evelyn: Ryan Prinz
Fred, a bartender: Dennis Raleigh
Luke: Michael Raleigh
Evangeline Harcourt: Crystal Vining
Erma: Victoria Visher
John: Andy Wallace
Pit Orchestra
Rajiv Khattar: flute, piccolo, clarinet
Elizabeth Jaensch: oboe, English, horn
Erica McIntyre: clarinet, alto sax, flute
Tom Reeder: clarinet, alto sax
Taylor Tolchin: bass clarinet, tenor sax, Baritone sax
Carol Jones: clarinet
Brian Levine: trumpet
Tyler Montgomery: trumpet
Kristy Johnson: trumpet
Adam Almeter: trombone
Cameron Kotovsky: trombone
Kimberly Truemper: trombone
Dillon Shoemaker: guitar
Abby Sapadin: percussion
Carter Stirtz: drum set
Colleen Kaster: violin
Darren Chen: violin
Kevin Pettit: bass
James Rennie: piano/keyboard
Production Staff
Nick France: technical director
Andy France: assistant technical director
Tom Walker: assistant auditorium manager
Student Production Staff
Alex Riordan: stage manager
Jeff Schatz: light designer
Kobus Labuschagne: master electrician
Matt Williams: sound operator
Alexandra Ryan: sound operator
Kirsten MacDougall: spot operator
Lucy Sinogeikina: spot operator
Mattie Wanecke: carpenter
Jeff Mayer: deck manager
Miranda Dashut: carpenter
Ben MacRae: deck manager