“Anything Goes” cast members rehearse ahead of the March 26-29 performances in SIU Carbondale’s Shryock Auditorium. (Photo by Erasmus Tornye)
March 19, 2026
SIU’s Shryock Auditorium is where ‘Anything Goes’ March 26-29
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A continuing search for young love and deception can reach no ends — including the high seas — as the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Theater and Dance and the School of Music prepare to take audiences aboard the S.S. American where “Anything Goes.”
The tale of a young stockbroker seeking out his true love while stowing away on an ocean liner as it travels from New York to London boards the Shryock Auditorium stage starting Thursday, March 26. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 26-28 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29.
Cole Porter’s satirical musical comedy, which premiered on Broadway in 1934, features singing sailors, humorous passengers and classic songs, including “Anything Goes,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top” and “Easy to Love.”
Angela C. Shultz, director of musical theater and associate professor of practice in musical theater and voice, and Christopher Morehouse, professor and director of bands are collaborating. They collaborated previously in 2025’s musical “She Loves Me.”
More than an ‘escapist musical’
The musical originally premiered during a tumultuous time in the nation’s history — the ongoing Great Depression and just a few years prior to the start of World War II.
“There were many escapist musicals written around that time because people needed a diversion from ordinary life,” Shultz said. “However, ‘Anything Goes’ is more than that. It's a social satire poking fun at celebrity, gangster culture, class wars and religion. The humor is witty and biting but is told through madcap comedy and a bunch of tap dancing.”
For Morehouse, the music is “quintessential 1930’s” along with a “testament to the lasting quality of Porter’s music.”
“Cole Porter's music and lyrics will be instantly recognizable, many of the songs having become standards,” he said. “It is remarkable that almost 100 years later this musical and songs from the musical are still regularly performed.”
Large production
Morehouse will conduct the 18-member pit orchestra, featuring the SIU Wind Ensemble. The orchestra includes 16 students and two guest artists. The musical cast includes 24 students and recent graduates. Rehearsals began in mid-January.
Matthew Williams, an assistant professor in performance and movement, is the production’s choreographer. Sawyer Richman, a senior in musical theater is stage manager, with third-year undergraduate theater students Phoenix McCoy and Biana Shults as assistant stage managers. Grace Rueter, a graduate master’s student in the theater program oversees scenic design while Charlie Lockridge, a graduate master’s student in theater, is technical director. M. Kamara, graduate masters in theater and Olivia Manning (who also plays Reno Sweeney), a fourth-year undergraduate student, are dramaturgs.
The cast includes:
- Reno Sweeney — Olivia Manning, senior, musical theater, Louisville, Kentucky.
- Billy Crocker — Seth Worthington, junior, musical theater, Paris, Illinois.
- Hope Harcourt — Amelia Warner, junior, musical theater, Indianapolis.
- Lord Evelyn Oakleigh — Harrison Gilberti, second year master of music, vocal performance, Trumbull, Connecticut.
- Evangeline Harcourt — Summer Sanders, junior, musical theater, Olney, Illinois.
- Elisha Whitney — Damaurion Clark, junior, musical theater, Hazel Crest, Illinois.
- Moonface Martin — Blake Zappa, May 2025 graduate, theater, Chester, Illinois.
- Erma — Jadyn Samuels, junior, musical theater, Anna, Illinois.
- Captain — Ameriah Lockett, junior, musical theater, Urbana, Illinois.
Forging new ground
The musical features a “hit-parade” of Porter’s songs from the 1930s. The opportunity to team with Morehouse and the Wind Ensemble again is exciting, Shultz said.
“It gives our students the amazing chance to integrate their acting, singing and dance skills in a high-energy show,” she said. “All of this together with bringing the show to Shryock Auditorium means we have the chance to forge new ground in collaboration, creativity and community.”
For many in the wind ensemble, this will be the first pit orchestra experience, Morehouse said.
“Students are called upon to play different styles throughout the show, from big band swing to art song accompaniment. Building these skills while in school is important for each student's overall training,” he said.
Ticket information
Tickets are available online, by phone at 618-453-5741 and at the McLeod Theater Box Office. Individual tickets are $25 for adults 21 and older, $20 for senior citizens 55 and older, $10 for students age 13-21 and $8 for children 12 and younger.
Tickets can also be purchased at Shryock Auditorium one hour before each performance. The McLeod Theater Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.