Theatre at the Mount

Will Hold AUDITIONS 

for the Cole Porter Musical

"ANYTHING GOES"

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter 

Book by Guy Bolton, P. G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse

Directed by Craig Cormier 

Music Director Senja Morgan 

Choreographer Ali Hall

Producing Director Gail Steele

Auditions to be held at Mount Wachusett Community College, room A110 (formerly 182) 

AUDITION DATES: 

July 14, 2025 at 7:00pm 

July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm 

All auditions are by appointment only.  

Callbacks on July 16, 2025 if needed.

To schedule an audition appointment, call 978 630-9388 or email your request to box-office@mwcc.mass.edu

REHEARSALS: 

Tentative Rehearsal Schedule (Beginning August 3): 

Sundays from 6:00pm–9:00pm.

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00pm–10:00pm.

CAST REQUIREMENTS: 

Large adult cast (ages 16 and up)   

• Please prepare a short vocal selection that best shows your abilities and range (bring sheet music if selection is not from the show). 
• Wear comfortable clothing and footwear for dance audition. 
• If you are a tapper, please bring tap shoes. 
• Also expect cold-readings from the script for key roles. 

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS: 

• Reno Sweeney (Principal, Mezzo G3-Eb5) - A sexy and charismatic nightclub singer and former evangelist. For some unknown reason Reno has forsaken what was once her calling of evangelism, and has become a very successful nightclub headliner. Reno is confident, clever, philosophical, funny, persuasive, and extremely comfortable with herself physically- and in every other way. She is practical and makes a good show of keeping it all together while romantic and tenderhearted underneath all her bravado. Reno is a consummate performer and a real showstopper. Must have comedic timing and be able to command the stage. In the beginning (and maybe forever – at least a little) she is in love with Billy.   
• Billy J. Crocker (Principal, Tenor B3-G4) - Elisha Whitney's kind but inefficient general manager who is in love with Hope. Must be charismatic and MUST have comedic timing: both verbal and physical plus considerable charm. Enough to win the heart of a steady girl engaged to a good man, and to have stolen the experienced heart and garnered the lavish attentions of Reno. Must be very confident physically, and willing to be put in silly situations. Must be able to move quickly. Idealistic.   
• Hope Harcourt (Principal, Soprano A4-Bb5) - A wealthy and beautiful heiress. Hope is sailing to marry Lord Evelyn, who - although he is a very nice guy- is her heart’s second choice. It’s just after the crash, and her family has lost much of its fortune (while NOT losing it's standing)- maintaining the family status quo is very important to her and critical to the ones she loves. Sweet, but with a strong sense of morals and duty. Willing to marry to satisfy mother’s wishes, instead of love. Good sense of humour, can be mischevious. Sparkling, ladylike individualism is good starting point set of adjectives for Hope.  
• Sir Evelyn Oakley (Principal, Baritone C3-G4) - Hope's aristocratic English fiancé. A steady, believable upper crust English accent a MUST. An earnest, energetic, good-natured, gullible and charming jewel of a nerd (called so affectionately). Loves the Americans. Born knowing who he is, therefore has the gift of being clueless to anybody’s opinion of him. Must be capable of - and comfortable with - comedic acting, and be very willing to take directions and do just about anything (within reason, naturally).   
• Moonface Martin (Principal, Tenor Bb3-Gb4) - Public Enemy #13, traveling [disguised] as reverend); Wanted by the police. Uncomplicated and loveable gangster. Very interested in climbing up the most wanted ladder. Wily and quick-witted, yet somehow just this side of gullible, Moonface is loyal and willing to go the distance for a friend. He carries a machine gun in a violin case- ready for action- but it’s pretty obvious he’s untried in anything desperate. MAJOR comedic timing required; able to move nimbly/ quickly.   
• Erma (Principal, Mezzo A4-C#5) - A traffic-stopping dame. Independent, modern, impulsive, courageous, boundless, immoderate, and driven by whatever gratifies her at the moment. She HAS to have the kind of physical presence that immediately causes every man within eyesight to zing! notice her. The actress playing this part must be extremely comfortable physically. She must be fresh and enjoyable in spite of her brazen ways, and be willing to play broad physical comedy. Lovably clueless, “joysey” accent.   
• Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt (Principal, Any vocal) - Hope's widowed mother who, at this point in time, is mainly concerned with social status and money (snob). Although born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and accustomed to the good life of the social elite, she has - because of the crash- learned to flow with the tide... yet has but one course in mind: She wants Hope to marry well- and by that she means rich! It’s the only way she can see that will save her home and her (and her daughter’s) place in society. Married well, but not to her one true love. Must be able to span the distance between refined lady and panic-stricken comedienne to breathless receiver of renewed hope.   
• Elisha J. Whitney (Principal, Baritone C3-D4) - A successful Ivy league Wall Street banker/business tycoon. Extremely near-sighted and a gloriously functional drunk. Huge personality. Used to snapping his fingers and having the world stop to listen. Thinks he’s right, but also capable of listening to reason and changing his mind. Down-to- earth in some ways and outlandish in others. Very loyal to his alma mater (Yale).   
• Captain (Featured, Baritone) - The man in charge of the S.S. American. Intelligent, strong, but a little too concerned with prestige. Good comedic timing.   
• Purser (Featured, Tenor) - A reliable, alert, and by-the-book, with an air of confident style. Great Comic timing and physical. In and out through the entire show he keeps a lot of the action a float!   
• Chastity (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - Member of “The Angels”, Reno’s backup singers/dancers for her nightclub act; must be willing/able to do “cheesecake” and be very comfortable with their magnetism (& physically in general). The collective feel of the Angels is they charge the atmosphere. They are good at what they do. Tap Dancing Required.   
• Charity (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - Member of “The Angels”, Reno’s backup singers/dancers for her nightclub act; must be willing/able to do “cheesecake” and be very comfortable with their magnetism (& physically in general). The collective feel of the Angels is they charge the atmosphere. They are good at what they do. Tap Dancing Required.    
• Purity (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - Member of “The Angels”, Reno’s backup singers/dancers for her nightclub act; must be willing/able to do “cheesecake” and be very comfortable with their magnetism (& physically in general). The collective feel of the Angels is they charge the atmosphere. They are good at what they do. Tap Dancing Required.   
• Virtue (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - Member of “The Angels”, Reno’s backup singers/dancers for her nightclub act; must be willing/able to do “cheesecake” and be very comfortable with their magnetism (& physically in general). The collective feel of the Angels is they charge the atmosphere. They are good at what they do. Tap Dancing Required.    
• Luke (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - A presumably reformed gambler, and recent Christian convert. Traveling with Henry T. Dobson, and his cousin John.   
• John (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - Influenced by his cousin Luke, but loyal to his conversion and Dobson, John has a conscience, but an easily manipulated will; his vice had been demon rum.   
• Henry T. Dobson the Minister (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - Missionary returning from China; certain, stoic, benevolent.   
• Fred (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - A New York bartender- good comic timing. 
• Sailors  (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - The men in white that keep the SS American running and shipshape. Movement/ dance skills / harmony parts required 
• Passengers/Reporters/FBI Agents, etc.  (Featured, Any Vocal Range) - Passengers on the boat, bound for Europe  

Performances: 

October 3, 2025 through October 12, 2025

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)   

Mount Wachusett Community College, 44 Green Street, Room 182, Gardner, MA.

TICKETS:

Tickets are available online at mwcc.universitytickets.com or by calling # 978-630-9388. 

For additional information contact Professor Gail Steele at 978-630-9162 or g_steele@mwcc.mass.edu

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ABOUT THE SHOW

In the Cole Porter musical "ANYTHING GOES" the S. S. American is sailing between New York and England with a comically colorful assemblage of passengers: 

Reno Sweeney, a popular nightclub singer and former evangelist, her pal Billy Crocker, a lovelorn Wall Street broker who has come aboard to try to win the favor of his beloved Hope Harcourt (who is engaged to another passenger, Sir Evelyn Oakleigh), and a second-rate conman named Moonface Martin, aka “Public Enemy #13”. 

Song, dance, and farcical antics ensue as Reno and Moonface try to help Billy win the love of his life. (STAGEAGENT)

ABOUT THEATRE AT THE MOUNT

Mount Wachusett Community College

444 Green Street 

Gardner, MA. 01440 

https://mwcc.edu/campus-life/tam/shows