anything goes tour 2022 cast

Anything Goes reveals further casting and extends London run 🚢

The hit musical sets sail next month

After breaking box office records last summer, the revival of Anything Goes is sailing back to the Barbican this summer but making some stops on the way!

Now further casting has been announced for their 2022 run along with the news that they will be arriving at the Barbican earlier than planned with the production now opening at the London venue on 25th June.

Meet the cast of Anything Goes:

Kerry ellis as reno sweeney.

Kerry's credits include Wicked and We Will Rock You .

Denis Lawson as Moonface Martin

Denis' credits include Bleak House and New Tricks.

Simon Callow as Elisha Whitney

Simon's credits include Four Weddings & a Funeral and Amadeus.

Bonnie Langford as Evangeline Harcourt

Bonnie's credits include EastEnders and 9 to 5 The Musical

Just announced is Carl Au as Luke, Trev Neo as John, Clive Hayward as Ship's Captain and Cornelius Clarke as Ship's Purser.

Reprising their roles in this year’s UK tour and Barbican season are Samuel Edwards ( Les Misérables / Wicked) as Billy Crocker, Carly Mercedes Dyer ( A Chorus Line / The Color Purple ) as Erma, Nicole-Lily Baisden ( The Book of Mormon / Let’s Face The Music) as Hope Harcourt, Haydn Oakley (A Christmas Carol / An American in Paris) as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.

The ensemble includes Jessica Buckby, Natalie Chua, Eamonn Cox, Jacob Fisher, Selina Hamilton, Maddie Harper, Eu Jin Hwang, David Kar-Hing Lee, Billie-Kay, Sammy Kelly, Anna McGarahan, Perry O'Dea, Tom Partridge, Christopher Short, Jack Wilcox and Alexandra Wright and swings Josh Barnett, George Beet, Gabrielle Cocca and Emily Ormiston.

What is Anything Goes about?

Taking place on a voyage across the Atlantic, on the S.S. American two unlikely pairs also set on course for true love. With some brilliant numbers such as 'Anything Goes', 'Blow Gabriel Blow' and 'It's De-lovely' as well as some incredible classic Broadway dance numbers, Anything Goes will be a trip that's not to be missed!

The Barbican's revival of Anything Goes smashed several of their Box Office records including the single highest grossing performance week for a musical in their 39-year history!

It has also received nine nominations at this year's Olivier Awards including Magic Radio Best Musical Revival .

Where can I see Anything Goes in the UK?

You can catch Anything Goes at the Bristol Hippodrome (11th to 16th April), the Liverpool Empire Theatre (20th to 30th April), the Edinburgh Festival Theatre (11th to 21st May), the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (24th May to 4th June), the Palace Theatre, Manchester (9th to 18th June) and at London's Barbican Theatre (25th June to 3rd September).

The musicals we can't wait to see in 2022:

The osmonds: a new musical.

A new jukebox musical based on the story of the Osmond Brothers is touring the UK and Ireland. With a story by Jay Osmond, The Osmonds: A New Musical kicked off off their tour at the Curve Theatre in Leicester on 3rd February 2022.

We Will Rock You

The hit musical packed with the music of Queen is coming back for its 20th anniversary. We Will Rock You is touring the UK once again with Ben Elton back in the director's chair. The tour began on 7th February 2022 at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth and is heading to 27 venues across the country before culminating with a residency at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

The hit jukebox musical celebrating the career of singer/songwriter Carole King is back in this new production of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical which heads is on a UK tour. The tour is a co-production from Leicester's Curve, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton and began performances on 28th February at the Curve Theatre.

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World

The stage adaptation of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is on tour once again, they began with Liverpool on 25th March.

Anything Goes

Anything Goes has set sail for another voyage with a some brand new faces! The musical went on a UK tour and is now in the middle of another summer run at London's Barbican Centre until 3rd September.

The Cher Show

The Broadway musical based on the one and only Cher is has come to the UK for a national tour. The Cher Show kicked off its tour at the Curve Theatre in Leicester on 15th April 2022.

A brand new production of Grease is running in the West End in 2022! The new production is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips and is running at the Dominion Theatre.

Girl From the North Country

With music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, Girl From the North Country returns to the UK as part of an international tour. The tour visited the 3Olympia in Dublin for five weeks from 25th June 2022 before visiting cities and towns across the UK.

Bugsy Malone

Bugsy Malone is on its first professional UK tour. The show opened at the Theatre Royal Bath on 2nd July 2022, the Birmingham Rep from 27th July 2022 and then will go onto further venues across the UK.

Crazy For You

Charlie Stemp stars in a new revival of the George and Ira Gershwin's Crazy For You which runs at the Chichester Festival Theatre until 4th September 2022.

Whistle Down the Wind

A new revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind runs at the Watermill theatre until 10th September 2022.

Kinky Boots

The first UK revival of Kinky Boots will run at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich from 1st to 24th September 2022 before the Queen's Theatre Hornchurch from 28th September to 22 October 2022.

Mrs Doubtfire

Based on the iconic film which starred Robin Williams, the musical adaptation of Mrs Doubtfire will get its UK premiere at the Manchester Opera House where it runs from 2nd September 2022.

The Color Purple

Leicester's Curve theatre and the Birmingham Hippodrome's award-wining production of The Color Purple is heading on a UK tour for the first time visiting venues in England and Wales. The tour begins on 13th September 2022.

South Pacific

The Chichester Festival Theatre production of South Pacific has returned in 2022. Following runs in Manchester and London the production heads on a UK and Ireland tour beginning on 13th September.

Sandra Marvin leads the touring productionof Sister Act which will open on 20th September 2022.

My Fair Lady

Following its run in the West End, the critically acclaimed Lincoln Center production of My Fair Lady heads on tour from 22nd September.

The Famous Five: A New Musical

A new musical adaptation of Enid Blyton's The Famous Five will have its world premiere later this year. It will run at Theatr Clwyd from 23rd September to 15th October and then from 21st October to 12th November at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

The Time Traveller's Wife: The Musical

A musical adaptation of The Time Traveller's Wife will premiere at the Storyhouse, Chester with a two week run from 30th September. The show will then be transferring to the West End with full details still to be announced.

The Choir of Man

The Choir of Man are returning for another run at the Arts Theatre. The show which includes covers of some of the greatest pop songs and a working bar has just finished a run at the Edinburgh Fringe and will be back in London from 1st October.

A new musical based on the true story of Tammy Faye will run at the Almeida Theatre from 13th October until 3rd December 2022 at the Almeida Theatre. The musical features music by Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears and a book by James Graham.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

The stage version of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella is finally getting its UK premiere at Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre from 1st November 2022.

Disney's Newsies

A brand new production of Disney's Newsies will run from 28th November at the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley, London. It will be the first professional production to run in the UK and will be opening a decade after the show opened on Broadway

Jagged Little Pill

Jagged Little Pill , the musical based on Alanis Morissette's album of the same name recently ran on Broadway and now is hoping to transfer to the West End this autumn.

The musical adaptation of Elf makes another trip to the Dominion theatre for the 2022 Christmas season. Elf will run from 14th November 2022 until 7th January 2023.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The sweetest Roald Dahl musical is making a return this year with a new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory running at the Leeds Playhouse from 18th November 2022 to 19th January 2023. The musical then heads on a UK tour in the new year.

Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol

Dolly Parton's take on a Christmas classic, Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol opens at the the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on 8th December 2022 and runs until 9th January 2023.

Broken Wings

The musical adaption of Kahlil Gibran's poetic novel Broken Wings is heads to the Charing Cross Theatre opened on 11th February 2022. The show has been adapted for the stage by Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan and ran until 26th March 2022.

But I'm a Cheerleader: The Musical

After being discovered at MTFestUK 2019, a new musical adaption of the cult classic But I'm a Cheerleader ran at the Turbine Theatre in London until 8th May 2022.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

A revival of the hit LGBTQ+ musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch is on its way. The production is co-produced by the Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester and will star RuPaul's Drag Race UK finalist Divina De Campo in the titular role. The production ran at the Leeds Playhouse from 2nd to 23rd April 2022 and then at HOME in Manchester from 27th April to 11th May 2022.

Bonnie & Clyde

After a hugely successful concert, Bonnie & Clyde ran at the Arts Theatre for a limited run. Will the show be back? We sure hope so!

A revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Passion ran at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. The musical starred Ruthie Henshall as Fosca.

Set in Covent Garden tube station's Lift, a new production of LIFT ran at the Southwark Playhouse from 13th May to 18th June 2022.

Legally Blonde

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre kicked off their 2022 season - which celebrates their 90th anniversary - with a brand new production of Legally Blonde . The musical was directed by Six co-creator Lucy Moss and ran from 13th May to 2nd July 2022.

Billy Elliot

This summer, the Curve Theatre in Leicester produced the first new UK production of Billy Elliot since its original West End run. The show is based on the 2000 film of the same name and has music by Elton John and ran until Saturday 20th August 2022.

Singin' in the Rain

After a successful run at Sadler's Wells Theatre in the summer of 2021, the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Singin' in the Rain is back once again as they go on tour in 2022. The tour began on 17th March 2022 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. The tour will finish at the end of August 2022.

101 Dalmatians

A new musical adaptation of Dodie Smith's 1956 children's novel 101 Dalmatians is running at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. The musical has music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge and a book by Johnny McKnight and ran until 28th August 2022.

Yeast Nation (The Triumph of Life)

The bio-historical musical comedy about Yeast - yes, Yeast - set at the dawn of life itself had its European premiere at the Southwark Playhouse running until 27th August 2022. The musical is written by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann and is a prequel to their other musical, Urinetown.

Les Misérables: Everything we know about the legendary musical 🇫🇷

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How to listen to Magic at the Musicals:

Magic at the Musicals plays the best of musicals from stage and screen and is brought to you by Magic Radio. You can listen to us online, on our app, smart speakers and DAB.

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Anything Goes UK Tour

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ANYTHING GOES TOUR UK DATES & TICKETS

This tour has now concluded.

Official Website: https://anythinggoesmusical.co.uk

Find out what musicals are coming to a theatre near you

Click the link to  Find A Musical Near You now, and choose your nearest town or city

ANYTHING GOES, the toe-tapping musical sensation!

Direct from the West-End, this sold out musical sensation is going on a 2022 nationwide tour!

Anything Goes is the ‘ musical equivalent of sipping one glass of champagne after another ’ (The Times) and is ‘ delightful, delicious, and as buoyant as helium ’ (Evening Standard).

Featuring; heart-warming romance, good old-fashioned farcical fun and spectacular dance routines, you’ll feast your eyes on the elegant design and delight at the charming and uplifting story.

Featuring a 50 strong cast and ensemble of the finest we have to offer on the London stage including tap dancing sailors and a full-sized live orchestra, this 5 star hit new production of Anything Goes ‘ immediately joins the pantheon of great classic musical revivals ’ (The Telegraph).

Directed by the multi-award-winning Broadway director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, this production for London features Cole Porter’s joyful score, including ‘ I Get A Kick Out of You ’, ‘ You’re the Top ’ and the show stopping ‘ Anything Goes ’. 

WHAT IS ANYTHING GOES ABOUT?

It’s Bon Voyage on the SS American but it’s not all smooth sailing as they head out to sea; etiquette is cast-off through the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to find true love.

Their journey proves that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing and dancing sailors, a comical disguise, a farcical blackmail, delightful double-entendres, and some timeless good fun!

ANYTHING GOES UK TOUR - CAST & CREATIVE

The cast for the UK Tour of Anything Goes is as follows:

• Reno Sweeney – Kerry Ellis
• Moonface Martin – Denis Lawson
• Elisha J. Whitney – Simon Callow
• Evangeline Harcourt – Bonnie Langford
• Billy Crocker – Samuel Edwards
• Erma – Carly Mercedes Dyer
• Hope Harcout – Nicole-Lily Baisden
• Lord Evelyn Oakleigh – Haydn Oakley
• Music & Lyrics by Cole Porter
• Original Book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse
• New Book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman
• Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall

ANYTHING GOES MUSICAL - VIDEO TRAILER

Anything goes uk tour - image gallery, did you find this useful if so, would you 'like' our facebook page, thank you we are new, and every 'like' goes a long way :).

• Bournemouth
• Derry / Londonderry
• High Wycombe
• Kingston upon Thames
• Milton Keynes
• Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Northampton
• Peterborough
• Southampton
• Southend-on-Sea
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Wolverhampton

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Star cast announced for Anything Goes 2022 run

Posted on 4 February 2022

The 2021 smash-hit production of Anything Goes is returning to London’s Barbican this summer due to popular demand. The record-breaking musical will open 15 July 2022 for a limited summer run. You’ll get a kick out of the de-lovely cast that has just been announced featuring theatre icons Kerry Ellis and Bonnie Langford . They’re the top! Make sure you don’t miss out on tickets for Anything Goes – book now whilst the best availability lasts!

Anything Goes London 2022 cast

Starring in Anything Goes at the Barbican is Kerry Ellis (Wicked) as Reno Sweeney, Bonnie Langford ( 9 to 5 Musical ) as Evangeline Harcourt, Olivier Award Winner Denis Lawson ( New Tricks ) as Moonface Martin and Olivier Award Winner Simon Callow ( Four Weddings & a Funeral ) as Elisha Whitney.

Reprising their co-starring roles will be Samuel Edwards ( Les Misérables ) as Billy Crocker, Carly Mercedes Dyer ( The Color Purple ) as Erma, Nicole-Lily Baisden ( The Book of Mormon ) as Hope Harcourt, Haydn Oakley ( A Christmas Carol ) as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.

Further casting will be announced soon. Keep an eye on our news pages for the latest updates.

Anything Goes star cast members said

Kerry Ellis said:

“I am so excited to be taking on the role of Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes this summer. This glorious show is classic musical theatre at its very best. Reno is an iconic character in musical theatre. I can’t wait to get my tap shoes on and share this fabulous musical with audiences up and down the country.”

Bonnie Langford said:

“I simply adore this show. It’s vibrant, fun and bursting with a feel-good energy that is contagious both on and off stage. It really is musical theatre at its finest.”

Anything Goes creative team

The London production of Anything Goes is brought to the stage by the award-winning Broadway creative team, featuring  Kathleen Marshall  who directed and choreographed. The musical also has set design by Derek McLane , costume design by Jon Morrell , music direction and supervision by Stephen Ridley , lighting design by Hugh Vanstone , sound design by Jonathan Deans , orchestrations by Michael Gibson , with additions by  Bill Elliott , and wig design by  Campbell Young .

What is Anything Goes about?

Climb aboard the S.S. American for a hilarious journey where etiquette is about to go overboard and it’s all hands on deck for the crew as they face rough seas! This popular classic follows two unlikely duos who set sail in search of true romance along with the help of singing and dancing sailors and destiny. It’s a little bit saucy and totally unforgettable!

Featuring beloved musical numbers such as ‘It’s De-Lovely’, ‘You’re The Top’ and ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’. You don’t want to miss this ship when it sets sail!

2022 London Anything Goes tickets are booking fast!

Don’t be left onshore when the S.S. American sets sail this July! Book tickets for Anything Goes now whilst the best availability lasts.

By Jade Ali

A love for theatre stemmed from my love of literature and music, but the West End on my doorstep opened up a whole new appreciation and passion for all things stage-y

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‘Anything Goes’ review

• Theatre, Musicals
• 4 out of 5 stars
• Recommended

Time Out says

This sublime revival of the classic musical returns for 2022

‘Anything Goes’ returns for 2022, with an all-new cast, headed up by Kerry Ellis as Reno Sweeney, Denis Lawson as Moonface Martin,  Simon Callow   as Elisha Whitney and Bonnie Langford  as Evangeline Harcourt . This review is from 2021, of the production’s original UK cast.

We should cherish musicals like ‘Anything Goes’ for lots of reasons. But a big one is that I don’t think anyone would write it today: its mixture of timeless songs, virtuosic wit and an offhandedly back-of-a-fag-packet book speaks of a different age when nobody much cared what musicals were *about* just so long as the talent was there.

And what talent! Based around songs by the great Cole Porter, it has a book by PG Wodehouse and Guy Bolton that ended up being drastically rewritten by  Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse for reasons that seem historically disputed. Not that anyone seems to mind because ‘Anything Goes’ has proven to be a whomping big hit that’s been merrily tinkered with over the years: one of its biggest numbers, the peerless Porter standard ‘It’s De-Lovely’, wasn’t even added until 1962, 28 years after the musical premiered.

You can see why its flimsiness has proved so enduring: just as ‘Anything Goes’ cheered up audiences in the 1930s – which, lest we forget, were awful – so it’s undoubtedly a tonic for our gloomy times. This was my first time back in a capacity theatre since last March, and the first time since then that I’ve been in an audience that wasn’t mostly masked. I am very much on the fence as to whether this is a sane idea. But you couldn’t ask for a more pleasurable way to ease back into notional normality than with this gloriously daft romcom about some horny people on a boat.

The plot is so negligible it barely needs to be addressed (boat. Horny people. Okay?) but the engine of the story is the burgeoning romance between dishy young stockbroker Billy Crocker (Samuel Edwards) and sweet debutante Hope Harcourt (Nicole-Lily Baisden), who is unfortunately engaged to barking mad Englishman Lord Evelyn Oakleigh  (Haydn Oakley), with all three of them stuck together on a luxury transatlantic cruise liner heading from New York to London.

They’re likeable young things, but if you take any more than a passing interest in what happens to them then you’re doing it wrong.

The ‘point’ of ‘Anything Goes’ is the notionally more peripheral characters, particularly the sassy evangelist-turned-singer Reno Sweeney, who is the show’s lead by default because she gets all the big numbers.

And imported Broadway star Sutton Foster effortlessly steals every scene as Reno with a devastating mix of raw talent – she is very much the proverbial triple-threat – and sheer, gutbusting effort. Plus she’s very funny, aided by some smart interventions made by director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall – reprising her slick 2011 Broadway production – that up Reno’s knowingness: Foster’s arsenal of fourth-wall-breaking smirks, eyerolls and sighs provide virtual running commentary on the rest of the action. The climactic first-half title number and her big second half medley ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’ are just astounding, life-affirming eruptions of the raw, visceral power of musical theatre as a craft. Yes, Foster has plenty of support from the ensemble, notably in the sublime mass tap-off at the end of ‘Anything Goes’ (the song). But she’s at the thick of it each time, leading the troops like some spangly general of old – the precision, the talent, the sheer *effort* is just jaw-dropping, even as Reno remains a relentlessly breezy character. It’s a veritably Olympian performance.

Veteran Brit Robert Lindsay can’t really hope to keep up with her (the man’s 71 for chrissakes) but he offers her a terrific comic foil as shambolic second-tier gangster Moonface Martin, who has snuck on board the ship for Reasons, and essentially spends the show threatening to do something terrible to somebody with a machine gun, while remaining relentlessly cuddly. Wilfully dysfunctional and ad-libbing all over the shop, Lindsay has a very entertaining duet with Reno (‘Friendship’) in which he mostly tries to get Foster to corpse, which is genuinely great fun. 

In a show that has no functional plot but more characters than a season of ‘Game of Thrones’, there’s also fun supporting work from Gary Wilmot as Billy’s boomingly idiotic boss Elisha. Felicity Kendall raises a smile as Hope’s self-absorbed, status-obsessed mum. And Carly Mercedes Dyer is entertaining as Moonface’s acquaintance Erma, squeaky-voiced and fabulous as the horniest of all the horny people on the horny boat. 

They don’t make ’em like this anymore – and even if they did, the massive cast and sumptuous orchestra still feel like an astonishing luxury anomaly in pingtastic 2021. But it feels fresh: the only thing to prompt a real eyebrow-raise in 2021 is the late number ‘The Gypsy in Me’ – it’s basically harmless, but I don’t think anyone would write it today.

All in all, Marshall’s revival of ‘Anything Goes’ mirrors the cruise it depicts: it doesn’t really go anywhere, but the journey is utterly ravishing and your crew is out of this world.

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Anything Goes

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The sold-out musical sensation, Anything Goes returns to the UK in 2022. Steaming out on UK Tour from April 2022 and returning to the Barbican by popular demand for a strictly limited 7 week season. Anything Goes is ‘musical equivalent of sipping one glass of champagne after another’ and ‘The antidote to everything’.

The production for 2022 will star multi-award-winner  Kerry Ellis  (Wicked/We Will Rock You) as Reno Sweeney and Olivier Award Winner  Denis Lawson  (Bleak House/Star Wars) as Moonface Martin. Joining them is Olivier Award Winner  Simon Callow  (Christmas Carol/Midsomer Murders) as Elisha Whitney and West End Legend  Bonnie Langford  (EastEnders/9 to 5) as Evangeline Harcourt.

Reprising their co-starring roles in this year’s UK tour and Barbican season are  Samuel Edwards  (Les Misérables / Wicked) as Billy Crocker,  Carly Mercedes Dyer  (A Chorus Line/The Color Purple) as Erma (a role in which she is nominated for a WhatsOnStage Award this year),  Nicole-Lily Baisden  (The Book of Mormon / Let’s Face The Music) as Hope Harcourt,  Haydn Oakley  (A Christmas Carol / An American in Paris) as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Further casting will be announced soon.

‘I have sometimes cried at the theatre in the past, but never from happiness – until I saw the musical Anything Goes. I lost it completely. I was just so grateful and relieved.’

Tour Dates | Anything Goes the Musical – Official UK site (anythinggoesmusical.co.uk)

Featuring a 50 strong cast and ensemble of the finest we have to offer on the London stage (including tap dancing sailors!) and a full-sized live orchestra, this heart-warming and hilarious production of Anything Goes sold out during its last run at the Barbican.

Directed by the multi-award-winning Broadway director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, this production for London features farcical fun and spectacular show stopping dance routines, all set to Cole Porter’s joyful score, including ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’, ‘You’re the Top’ and the show stopping ‘Anything Goes’.

‘Made us feel that all was right with the world.’

The Telegraph

‘Undoubtedly a tonic for our times.’

Uk tour dates, 11-16 april 2022 –  bristol: hippodrome theatre, 20-30 april 2022 –  liverpool: empire theatre, 11-21 may 2022 –  edinburgh: festival theatre, 18 may-28 may 2022 – dublin: bord gais energy theatre, 9 june-18 june 2022 – manchester: palace theatre, 15 july – 3 september 2022 –  london: barbican theatre.

Kerry Ellis

Reno sweeney, dennis lawson, moonface martin, simon callow, elisha j. whitney, bonnie lanford, evangeline harcourt.

Kerry is recognised as the leading lady of West End and Broadway musicals, with a number of starring roles in London, New York, and around the world. She has achieved chart-topping success as a recording artist signed to Universal Decca and Sony Music.

Kerry originated the role of Meat, in  Queen’s We Will Rock You  and was the first British Elphaba in the worldwide smash,  Wicked , for which she won the 2008 Whatsonstage.com Award for ‘Best Takeover in a Role’.

She then headed to Broadway to play Elphaba at the Gershwin Theater for 6 months, where she won the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favourite Female Breakthrough Performance, before returning to London in the role for a further 6 months.

Her other leading role West End credits include Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s  Cats , Nancy in  Oliver! , Eliza Doolittle in  My Fair Lady , Ellen in  Miss Saigon  and Fantine in  Les Miserables , amongst many others.

Kerry’s first major CD release was  Wicked in Rock , which is still flying high in Dress Circle’s bestseller list.  Wicked in Rock  was a collaboration with long time friend and Queen guitarist Brian May.

Other performances include singing the National Anthem for the FA Cup final at Wembley, a sold out tour of  Champions of Rock  in Sweden, and playing Svetlana to critical acclaim in  Chess  at the Royal Albert Hall opposite Idina Menzel and Josh Groban (subsequently released on DVD and CD and screened on US network television),  Thank You For The Music  the BBC Radio 2 ABBA concert in Hyde Park,  Night of 1000 Voices , and  The Festival of Remembrance  both at the Royal Albert Hall, she also headlined the BBC  Proms in the Park  2010.

Kerry was involved in the  Les Miserables  feature film as well as headlining various festivals across the country, she also starred in the arena tour of Jeff Wayne’s  War of the Worlds  alongside Jason Donavan and Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs. Kerry also toured with the 20th Anniversary Tour of  Rent  playing the role of Mimi.

Kerry’s dream of performing her first solo concert at the London Palladium came true in May 2013. The concert was such a huge success that it led to a thirteen date tour across the UK finishing at The Cadogan Hall. The concert celebrated her theatre career to date, singing songs from all the roles she has created and played.

Kerry played Sara in the West End production of  Murder Ballad , the European premier directed by Sam Yates to rave reviews alongside Ramin Karimloo. Kerry then played the lead role of Alice in Frank Wildhorn’s  Wonderland  on a UK tour.

Kerry continues her long term working relationship with Brian May. They have toured the UK and Europe extensively. They released their album  Golden Days  to great acclaim and continue to work and record together.

She is one of the most sought after singers in the UK, and performs her concerts all over the world.

Denis is most well-known for his role as John Jarndyce in the BBC’s adaptation of  Bleak House  for which he was nominated for both a BAFTA and EMMY awards. Other notable credits include the role of Gordon Urquhart in the film  Local Hero , DI Steve McAndrew in BBC One’s hit series  New Tricks , the role of Tom Campbell-Gore in  Holby City  and as Wedge Antilles in the original  Star Wars trilogy  and  The Rise of Skywalker .

Denis’ Television credits include  Sensitive Skin  (BBC),  The Duke of Atholl in Victoria  (ITV),  Death In Paradise  (BBC),  The Life of Rock With Brian Pern  (BBC),  Inside Number 9  (BBC),  Parade’s End  (HBO / Mammoth Screen),  Marchlands  (ITV),  Criminal Justice II  (BBC),  Enid  (BBC),  Breaking The Mold  (BBC),  No Holds Barred  (BBC),  Robin Hood  (BBC),  Feel The Force  (BBC),  Lucky Jim  (BBC),  The Fabulous Bagel Boys  (BBC),  Other People’s Children  (BBC),  Bob Martin  (ITV),  The Ambassador  (BBC),  Cold Feet  (ITV) and  Hornblower  (ITV).

Film credits include  Broken  (directed by Rufus Norris),  The Wee Man  (Directed by Ray Burdis),  Perfect Sense  (directed by David Mackenzie),  The Chain  (Directed by Jack Gold),  Providence  (Directed by Alain Resnais) and  The Man In The Iron Mask  (Directed by Mike Newell).

Denis is also an acclaimed stage actor who won an Olivier Award for best actor in a musical for his performance as Jim Lancastar in  Mr Cinders  at The Fortune Theatre. He was also nominated for an Olivier for his performance as George in  La Cages Aux Folles  at The Playhouse Theatre and for his performance in the title role of  Pal Joey  at The Fortune Theatre. Theatre credits include  ART  (UK Tour),  The Acid Test  (Royal Court Theatre),  Lust  (Haymarket Theatre / Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia).  Oleanna  (Duke of York’s Theatre),  Volpone  (Almeida Theatre),  Ashes  (Bush Theatre),  Lend Me A Tenor  (Globe Theatre),  The Lucky Chance  (Royal Court Theatre) and  Bits Of Lenny Bruce  (Kings Head Theatre).

Theatre credits include:   Christmas Carol  (Arts Theatre),  Being Shakespeare  (Harold Pinter Theatre),  The Mystery of Charles Dickens  (Playhouse Theatre/Trafalgar Studios),  Chin Chin  (National Tour),  Merry Wives: The Musical  (RSC),  The Woman in White  (The Palace Theatre),  The Holy Terror  (Duke of York),  Through the Leaves  (Southwark Playhouse),  The Importance of Being Oscar  (Savoy Theatre),  The Alchemist  (Birmingham Rep),  Kiss of the Spidermen  (Bush Theatre),  Sisterly Feelings  (National Theatre),  Amadeus  (National Theatre),  Mary Barnes  (Royal Court) and  Titus Andronicus  (Bristol Old Vic).

Theatre directing credits include:   Carmen Jones  – 1992 Olivier Award for Best Director of a Musical (The Old Vic Theatre),  Shirley Valentine  (Vaudeville),  The Infernal Machine  (Hammersmith),  The Pajama Game  (Birmingham Rep/Toronto Victoria Palace),  Jus’ Like That  (Tour/Garrick Theatre) and  Les Enfants Du Paradis  (RSC).

Film and Television credits include:  Four Weddings and a Funeral  – BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (RFD),  A Room with a View  – BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (FilmFour International),  Shakespeare in Love  – Screen Actors Guild Award (Universal Pictures),  Victoria and Abdul  (BBC Films),  A Christmas Carol  (BBC Films), The Phantom of the Opera (Warner Brothers),  Hawkeye  (Disney/Marvel),  Midsomer Murders  (ITV),  David Copperfield  (BBC),  Woman in White  (BBC),  Poirot  (ITV) and  The Amazing Mr Blunden  (Sky).

Radio credits include:  Shakespeare’s Sonnets  (BBC),  Tomorrow Week  (BBC Radio 3),  The Judas Kiss  (BBC Radio 3),  Oscar Wilde Letters  (BBC Radio 4),  I’ll be George  (BBC Radio 4),  The Third Soldier on the Left  (BBC Radio 4),  Put Money in Thy Purse  (BBC Radio 4),  Death in Genoa  (BBC Radio 4) and  Plum House  (BBC R4).

Bonnie Langford has packed a wealth of experience in her outstanding career which has embraced success in theatre, television, film and radio in both Britain and America.

Most recently, Bonnie was on the first series of  The Masked Dancer  (ITV) where she reached the final as Squirrel. She has also been supporting the Theatre Support Fund by hosting  The Show Must Go On  (Palace Theatre) and celebrated ‘50 Years On Stage’ with her sell out cabaret shows at London’s Crazy Coqs.

West End theatre includes:  Roz Keith in  9 to 5, The Musical  (Savoy Theatre) Dorothy Brock in  42nd Street  (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and filmed for DVD and cinema release in the UK and Ireland, across America and streamed on Broadway HD and PBS America), the Original London cast of  Cats  (The Gillian Lynne Theatre);  The Pirates Of Penzance  (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and London Palladium);  Peter Pan – The Musical  (Aldwych Theatre);  Me And My Girl  (Adelphi Theatre);  Sweet Charity  (Victoria Palace Theatre);  Spamalot  (Harold Pinter Theatre and Playhouse Theatre);  Dirty Rotten Scoundrels  (Savoy Theatre) and Roxie Hart in  Chicago  (Adelphi Theatre, Cambridge Theatre and on Broadway). She made her theatre debut in the West End at the tender age of seven in  Gone with the Wind  at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The following year she played ‘Baby June’ in  Gypsy  opposite Angela Lansbury at the Piccadilly Theatre, making such an impact that the producers took her to America with the show for a highly successful run on Broadway. For this performance, at the age of ten, Bonnie was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.

UK tours include:   42nd Street ;  Charlie Girl ;  Oklahoma! ;  Guys and Dolls ;  Fosse ;  Spamalot ;  9 to 5, The Musical  and numerous Royal Variety Performances and Royal Galas. Bonnie performed her concert  ‘An Evening With Bonnie Langford’  to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of Richmond Theatre, she also hosted  ‘The Music Of The Night’  with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.

Television and film includes:  creating the role of Carmel Kazemi in BBC’s  EastEnders  for which she won ‘Best Newcomer’ at the 2015 British Soap Awards, a BAFTA for best continuing drama and she was nominated for ‘Best Serial Drama Performance’ at the 2019 National Television Awards. Lena Marelli in  Bugsy Malone  (dir. Alan Parker);  Just William  (ITV);  The Lena and Bonnie Show  (ITV);  The Hot Shoe Show  (BBC);  Hotel Babylon  (BBC);  Agatha Christie’s Marple  (ITV);  The Catherine Tate Show  (BBC) and the 22nd assistant on  Doctor Who  (BBC). Bonnie was the subject of ITV’s  This Is Your Life .

In 2006, she learned to ice skate on the TV show  Dancing on Ice , skating her way to the final and returning for the All Stars season in 2014.

Recordings include:  ‘ Bonnie Langford Now ’, ‘ Jazz at the Theatre ‘ and numerous  Doctor Who  audio dramas for Big Finish.

Twitter: @bonnie_langford.

Instagram: thebonnielangford.

Website: www.bonnielangford.co.uk

‘Anything Goes’ to return to London in 2022

The hit musical is sailing back into the Barbican.

After an acclaimed summer run at the Barbican , Anything Goes will return to London next year. Anything Goes will begin a UK tour in April 2022, ending at the Barbican with performances from 15 July - 3 September.

The Anything Goes producer Sir Howard Panter said: "We are delighted to be back with the glorious Anything Goes musical at the Barbican next summer! We were thrilled with the response to this energetic and uplifting show... audiences around the country can enjoy the glorious set design, breathtaking choreography and stage direction, and of course the wonderful score!"

Anything Goes follows a group of passengers on board the S.S. American as they sail to London. Along the way, travellers find love, have their identities mistaken and get up to plenty of mischief. Anything Goes features songs by Cole Porter including "Friendship," "You're The Top," and "I Get A Kick Out of You."

In a five-star review of Anything Goes at the Barbican , Suzy Evans said: "You'll regret it if you don't tap dance your way to the Barbican right now to see this piece of musical theatre magic... The effect is truly euphoric." 

Casting for Anything Goes in 2022 is to be announced. The original 2021 cast starred Sutton Foster as Reno Sweeney, who made her West End debut in the role by reprising her Tony-winning performance. Robert Lindsay played Moonface Martin, with Felicity Kendal as Evangeline Harcourt and Gary Wilmot as Elisha Whitney, Samuel Edwards plays Billy Crocker, with Nicole-Lily Baisden as Hope Harcourt, Carly Mercedes Dyer as Erma and Haydn Oakley as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.

Kathleen Marshall directs and choreographs Anything Goes , with scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Jon Morrell, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone and sound design by Jonathan Deans.

Anything Goes is at the Barbican   from 15 July - 3 September.

Photo credit: Anything Goes 2021 (Photo courtesy of Anything Goes)

Originally published on Jan 25, 2022 20:13

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Anything Goes West End Original Cast Revival

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Anything Goes FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Bon Voyage All Through the Night Sailors’ Chanty Where Are the Men? You're the Top Anything Goes Public Enemy Number One Blow, Gabriel, Blow Be Like the Bluebird Buddie Beware The Gypsy in Me What a Joy to Be Young There's No Cure Like Travel Kate the Great Easy to Love Shanghi-De-Ho My Heart and I Moonburn Sailor Beware Awake in a Dream Hopelessly in Love It's De-Lovely Friendship Let's Step Out Let's Misbehave Take Me Back to Manhattan You Do Something to Me Just One of Those Things I Want to Row on the Crew Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye Me and Marie Waltz Down the Aisle I Get a Kick Out of You A Little Skipper from Heaven Above From This Moment On Overture Entr’acte Finale Prelude Heaven Hop

Anything Goes has had 20 productions including Broadway which opened in 1934, Broadway which opened in 1934, West End which opened in 1935, Off-Broadway which opened in 1962, Off-Broadway which opened in 1962, West End which opened in 1969, Regional (US) which opened in 1974, Broadway which opened in 1987, Broadway which opened in 1987, US Tour which opened in 1988, West End which opened in 1989, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 2000, Broadway which opened in 2002, Broadway which opened in 2002, West End which opened in 2002, Williamstown, MA (Regional) which opened in 2006, Broadway which opened in 2011, US Tour which opened in 2012, West End which opened in 2021 and West End which opened in 2022.

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Anything Goes UK Tour 2022 – Initial tour dates announced

Following a run at the Barbican Theatre London, Cole Porter’s Anything Goes will tour. The Anything Goes UK Tour has announced the initial tour dates.

Anything Goes UK Tour 2022

Kathleen Marshall’s previous multi-Tony-Award-winning staging of Anything Goes hit the high seas on Broadway. The Anything Goes UK Tour sees this stunning production direct from a season at London’s Barbican Theatre , features a joyful score of theatre’s most memorable songs, including ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’ and ‘You’re the Top’.

It’s Bon Voyage on the S.S America but it’s not all smooth sailing as they head to sea; etiquette is cast-off through the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to find true love. Their journey proves that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing and dancing sailors, a comical disguise, farcical blackmail, and some timeless good fun!  

Anything Goes UK Tour – First look production images released

Watch the Anything Goes 2022 Tour Trailer

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Anything Goes UK Tour Dates

Bristol Hippodrome 11 – 16 April 2022

Liverpool Empire 20 – 30 April 2022

Edinburgh Festival Theatre 11- 21 May 2022

Marlow Theatre Canterbury 25 May – 4 June 2022

Barbican Theatre 15 July – 3rd September 2022

Douglas Mayo has had a life long love affair with musical theatre. He has authored several books on publicity and marketing for amateur theatre groups. He is in the process of developing a musical based on his original story concept.

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Anything Goes

Creative team, production photos, extended due to popular demand must close march 10, top 5 january picks – newcity top 10 winter theatre – chicago tribune one of the 15 must-see shows – choose chicago, a rush of vitality, honesty, vulnerability and a palpable love for old-school broadway – chicago tribune, burns as hot and bright as a fireworks display – chicago reader, it’s impossible to leave this one without a smile on your face – broadway world, a great evening of fun, music, dance and laughter – chicago sun-times, amazing voices, fabulous tap dancing … [meghan murphy’s] every moment on stage led to cheers – behind the curtain, buy tickets, important information about the show:.

• Anything Goes has a run time of 2 hours and 15 minutes , including intermission.
• Anything Goes includes the use of the use of gunshot sounds and use of a prop gun, water-based haze and flashing lights.
• There will be a late seating hold at the top of the performance. Patrons who arrive after curtain will be held for the first 15 minutes of the performance and seated at the discretion of House Management.

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The cast of Anything Goes , in alphabetical order, includes Logan Becker + (Ensemble); Tommy Bullington + (Ship’s Purser); Noah Claiborne-Wood + (Male Swing); Rachael Dec * (Charity); Tafadzwa Diener * (Erma); Nick Dorado + (Ship’s Captain); Jackson Evans + (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh); Josiah Haugen + (Henry T. Dobson, Ensemble); Ciara Hickey ^ (Dippy); J. Christian Hill + (Ensemble); Kelsey MacDonald * (Ensemble); Steve McDonagh + (Moonface Martin); Emily Ling Mei * (Chastity); Meghan Murphy * (Reno Sweeney); Luke Nowakowski = (Billy Crocker); Emma Ogea * (Hope Harcourt); Hannah Remian * (Virtue); Nataki Rennie * (Purity); Jenna Schoppe * (Ensemble, dance captain); Gabriel Solis + (Spit); Mack Spotts ^/+ (Ensemble); Jerod Turner + (Ensemble); Genevieve VenJohnson * (Evangeline Harcourt); Anthony Whitake r+/^ (Elisha J. Whitney)

The creative team of Anything Goes includes Michael Weber + (director, artistic director); Tammy Mader * (choreographer); Nick Sula + (music director); Jeffrey D. Kmiec + (scenic designer); Milo Bue + (associate scenic designer); Rachel Boylan * (costume designer); Kevin Barthel + (wig designer); G. Max Maxin IV + (lighting designer, projection designer); Matthew R. Chase + (sound designer); Patrick McGuire + (properties designer); Kristi Martens * (production stage manager, AEA); Drew Donnelly + (assistant stage manager); Andrea Enger = (assistant stage manager); John McTaggart + (technical director); Danny Carraher + (assistant technical director); Josh Derby + (master carpenter/spot 1); Livian Kennedy * (scenic charge); Tina Stasny * (costume director); Rachel West * (lighting director); Samantha Anderson */^ (assistant lighting supervisor / spot 2); Matt Reich + (audio/video director); Joe Court + (A1); Christine Burquest * (A2); Jack Zanger + (wardrobe supervisor); Amanda May * (hair and makeup supervisor); Gabrielle Lux*/^ (wardrobe assistant); Heather Lynn Gervasi * (production manager); Majel Cuza * (director of production) and Frankie Leo Bennett + (producing artistic associate).

Pre-production photos of Meghan Murphy by Joe Mazza/brave lux Production photos by Liz Lauren Production video by Marty Higginbotham Videos created & edited by Joe Gallagher

Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, please contact August Compton , Audience Services Director, at [email protected] .

LOGAN BECKER 

Porchlight Debut

(he/him, Ensemble, US Spit & Dippy )  

Logan Becker is so excited to make his Porchlight debut in such a classic show. This year he will be graduating from Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) with BFA in musical theater with a dance concentration. Some of his favorite credits include “Andy Lee” in 42nd Street (MTWichita), “Otto” in Spring Awakening (CCPA) and “Dametas” in Head Over Heels (CCPA). He wants to give a special thanks to his parents who have been nothing, but supportive and encouraging throughout his journey to being the performer he is today. Hope you enjoy the show!

TOMMY BULLINGTON 

Previously at Porchlight: Porchlight Revisits Do Re Mi

(he/him, Ship’s Purser, U/S Moonface Martin & Male Ensemble #2 )

Tommy Bullington is thrilled to be all aboard! Tommy was most recently seen in The SpongeBob Musical with Kokandy Productions. Some favorite credits include A Man of No Importance (PrideArts), A Funny Thing Happened… (MPAC), A New Brain , Jesus Christ Superstar (Theo Ubique), Poseidon! , Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer (Hell in a Handbag), Urinetown (Boho Theatre), Return of Neverland (Quest Theatre – Jeff Award, Supporting Actor) and Reefer Madness (Circle Theatre). Much love to my Steve.

RACHAEL DEC  

(she/her, C harity, U/S Female Ensemble #2 ) 

Rachel Dec is delighted to make her Porchlight Music Theatre debut in Anything Goes ! She is honored to embark on her professional career with this production. Rachael is a proud Northwestern University graduate (Class of 2023, music theatre), where her previous credits include Lyle the Crocodile , As You Like It (“Taub”) and The 91st Annual Waa-Mu Show . She also enjoyed participating in several student-produced musicals as an actor, dance captain and choreographer. “To my family and friends: all my love, always.” Web: rachaeldec.com

TAFADZWA DIENER

(she/her, Erma )

Tafadzwa Diener is thrilled to be making her Porchlight Theatre debut! Chicago credits include A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Rock of Ages (Mercury Theater); 1919 (Steppenwolf Theatre); Sound of Music, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Marriott Theatre); MotherFreakingHood (Venus Cabaret). Regional: Ragtime, Pirates of Penzance (Utah Shakespeare Festival) Film: “Chicago PD.” She is represented by Big Mouth Talent. Instagram: @tafadzwadiener

NICK DORADO 

(he/him, Ship’s Captain, U/S Elisha J. Whitney )

A Broadway World Award nominee, Nick Dorado is delighted to make his Porchlight debut with Anything Goes ! Originally from Chicago, Nick has appeared in numerous plays and musicals throughout the city (notable credits: Six Degrees of Separation, Richard III, Spamalot ). Most recently, Nick lived and performed in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he could be seen in Mamma Mia! He is represented by BNB Chicago. Nick thanks his parents for instilling in him a love of theater and thank YOU for supporting live theater in Chicago.

JACKSON EVANS

(he/him, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh )

Chicago: School of Rock , Beauty and the Beast (Paramount, Jeff Nomination); Boys in the Band (Windy City Playhouse); Ride the Cyclone, Seussical (Chicago Shakespeare); Matilda, Spamalo t (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady (Lyric Opera); Singin’ in the Rain, A Christmas Story, (Marriott); Avenue Q, Bunny Bunny (Mercury). Regional: Peninsula Players, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, First Stage. Touring: The Realish Housewives (Second City). Film: Christmas is Canceled. TV: “Paper Girls,” “Chicago PD,” “Sirens.”

JOSIAH HAUGEN 

Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret

(he/him, Henry T. Dobson/Ensemble, U/S Lord Evelyn Oakleigh & Ship’s Captain )

Josiah Haugen is so excited to be returning to the Porchlight stage. Credits include: Cabaret (Porchlight Music Theatre), Jeff-Award winning Sweeney Todd ( Kokandy Productions), Sex Tips For Straight Women from a Gay Man (Matt Murphy Productions). Josiah is a proud member of The Four C-Notes and can be seen performing with them around the globe. Education: BFA Musical Theatre from CCPA. He would like to thank his friend, family, and amazing partner Jack for all their support!

CIARA HICKEY 

(they/them, Dippy ) 

Ciara Hickey is pumped to be making their Porchlight debut in Anything Goes !  Some favorite past credits include It Came from Outer Space (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Groundhog Day (Paramount Theatre), Pippin (Music Theater Works), National Merit (BoHo Theatre), Frankie Stein in Monster High Live (Mattel) and Paper Girls (Amazon Prime).  Ciara holds a BFA in musical theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and is represented by Stewart Talent. Web: ciarahickey.com

J. CHRISTIAN HILL 

(he/him, Ensemble, U/S Male Ensemble & Ship’s Purser ) 

Christian Hill is thrilled to be making his Porchlight Music Theatre debut! Christian is a Chicago based actor who is originally from New York. His most recent theatrical credits include Xanadu at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Ripcord at Oil Lamp Theater and Zorro the Musical and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at Music Theater Works. Christian is a graduate of Northwestern University’s film, theater and business programs and is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Web: jchristianhill.com

EMILY LING MEI 

(she/her, Chastity, U/S Hope Harcourt ) 

Emily Ling Mei is thrilled to be making her Porchlight debut in Anything Goes ! Recent credits include: “Natalie (U/S)” in Next to Normal (Paramount Theatre), “Ella” in R+H’s Cinderella (The Barn Theatre) and “Kendra” in Gloria (CCPA). Education: BFA MTD at CCPA. Rep: Stewart Talent. Endless thanks to her family and friends for their unending support! W: emilylingmei.com IG: @emily.lingmei 

KELSEY MACDONALD 

(she/her, Ensemble, U/S Reno Sweeney & Female Ensemble #3 )

Kelsey Macdonald is thrilled to be making her Porchlight Music Theatre debut. Last seen on stage as “Ulla” in Music Theatre Works’ The Producers . Additionally, Kelsey is a singer-songwriter who has performed all over New York City and the Chicagoland area. You can stream her debut album on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to music! Proud Boston Conservatory alum. IG: @kelsonstage

STEVE McDONAGH  

Previously at Porchlight: Porchlight Revisits Bells Are Ringing and Porchlight Revisits Call Me Madam

(he/him, Moonface Martin ) 

Steve McDonagh comes here directly from the one man show, Every Brilliant Thing , at Farmer’s Alley. Past productions at Porchlight include Bells Are Ringing and Call Me Madam . Other Chicago area credits include The Comedy of Errors ; Chicago Shakespeare, The Music Man and several New Stages readings at Goodman, Arsenic and Old Lace ; Court Theatre, The Elephant Man , All Shook Up ; Williams Street Rep and productions at Drury Lane, Theatre at The Center, Royal George, Music Theater Works and Marriott Theatre. Off-Broadway credits include Lamb’s Theatre and regional work at The Kennedy Center. Television credits include multiple appearances on “Chicago Med” and “Twisted Little Lies,” as well as numerous “exasperated dad” commercials. In his life as celebrity chef, Steve was the season one winner of “Next Food Network Star,” co-host of “Party Line With The Hearty Boys” and co-author of “Talk With Your Mouth Full” and “The New Old Bar.” He co-hosts the ‘eatertainment’ podcast “But I Digest.”

MEGHAN MURPHY 

Previously at Porchlight: Porchlight Revisits Woman of the Year, Numerous Chicago Sings Concerts

( she/her, Reno Sweeney )

Meghan Murphy is an actor/singer/producer/cabaret and recording artist currently based in Chicago. Her multifaceted talents have been showcased on many different stages in the worlds of theater, music, travel and cabaret. As an actor, she is a six-time Joseph Jefferson Award nominee for Chicago credits such as: Mamma Mia! (“Tanya,” Marriott Theater), Spamalot (“Lady of the Lake,” Mercury Theater Chicago), The Who’s Tommy (“Acid Queen,” Paramount Theater), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (“Patty,” Drury Lane Theater), City of Angels (“Oolie”/”Donna,” Marriott Theater) and And The World Goes Round (“Woman 3,” Marriott Theater). Film and TV credits: Honey Nut Cheerios (national commercial), Captive State (Focus Features). As a singer, you may have seen her in countless concerts and festivals throughout the country, including many appearances in the Chicago Humanities Festival and Chicago Sings . As a cabaret artist, she’s had sold out shows in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, London and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and has been touring her critically-acclaimed one woman show The Big Red Show around nationally and now internationally with Vacaya, Brand g Vacations, Azamara, RWS Entertainment and Blackburn International. As a recording artist, Meghan has two self titled EP albums of her Chicago-based blues/soul band Everybody Says Yes available on all streaming platforms and her holiday album “Big Red & The Boys, Live” at Feinstein’s/54 Below, available at bigredandtheboys.bandcamp.com . For more info about Meghan Murphy or to join her mailing list, follow her on Instagram & TikTok at @meghanmurphybigred or become a patron at Patreon.com/meghanmurphybigred .

LUKE NOWAKOWSKI 

(any with respect, Billy Crocker )

Luke Nowakowski is at a loss for words on making his Porchlight Mainstage debut as “Billy” in Anything Goes ! Chicago credits: Ravinia, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare & Paramount Theatre. Favorite roles: “Jamie” ( Bright Lights, Big City ), “Finch” ( How To Succeed… ), “Charlie” ( Brigadoon ). Luke was a semi-finalist invited to compete in NYC in the National Musical Theater Competition. He is a graduate of Elmhurst University with his vocal performance degree. Luke thanks his loving partner Brody, his family, mentors, and the “de-lightful” team at Gray Talent! Instagram: @_lukenowakowski_

(she/her, Hope Harcourt)  

Emma Ogea is thrilled to be making her Chicago theatre debut! She is currently a junior at CCPA studying Musical Theatre with a dance emphasis. CCPA productions she’s been involved in include 42nd Street (“Dorothy Brock”) and Stupid Fucking Bird (“Nina”). She would like to thank her friends, her mom, Ian and Lincoln for their love and support! IG: @emma.ogea

HANNAH REMIAN 

(she/her, Virtue, U/S Erma )

Hannah Remian is thrilled to be making her Chicago theatre debut here at Porchlight Music Theatre! Hannah is currently a Junior at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University where she is pursuing her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre with a Dance Concentration. Most recently, she was seen in CCPA’s production of T he Theory of Relativity playing “Caroline.” She is also a graduate of The Governor’s School of Performing Arts in Norfolk, Virginia, whom she thanks endlessly for their training and encouragement. She would also like to thank her family and friends for their continuous support and love, without them none of this would be possible! IG: @hannahremian

NATAKI RENNIE  

(she/her, Purity )

Nataki Rennie is stoked to be making her Porchlight Music Theatre debut with the company of Anything Goes. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Nataki is a graduate of the musical theatre dance concentration program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Recent theatre credits include The Spongebob Musical at Kokandy Productions (“Sardine 2”,  “Sandy Cheeks U/S”), Once on This Island (female swing/ dance captain) and A Christmas Story (ensemble/ dance captain) at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, Michigan. In her free time she enjoys thrift shopping, creative writing and laughing with loved ones. Nataki would like to thank all of her family, friends, and teachers for their endless love and support. IG: @nataki__

JENNA SCHOPPE 

(she/her , Ensemble, U/S Female Ensemble #1 and Evangeline Harcourt )

Bio coming soon

GABRIEL SOLIS 

(he/him, Spit )

Gabriel is thrilled to be making his Porchlight Music Theatre debut! Recent Chicago theatre credits include “Benji” in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Mercury Theater Chicago, “Michael Hobbs” in Elf the Musical at Drury Lane, and “Madison/Lawrence US” in School of Rock at Paramount Theatre. You may recognize him, though, as the “twins” in a Kellogg’s Club Crackers commercial or “Ryan Miller” from Chicago Med , Season 7 – Episode 5: Change is a Tough Pill to Swallow. Gabriel feels so blessed to be part of this classic show and wants to thank the Porchlight team for believing in him, Gray Talent Group and his family for their endless support, and God for, well, everything! All glory belongs to Him!

MACK SPOTTS 

(they/he, Ensemble ) 

Mack Spotts was last seen as “Czolgosz” in Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s production of Assassins . Past productions include St. Sebastian with Refracted Theatre Company (“Gideon”), Merrily We Roll Along (swing) and She Loves Me (Kodaly and head waiter U/S, Jeff nomination for best ensemble); both with Blank Theatre Company, Sister Act with Highland Summer Theatre (“Eddie Souther”) and more. BFA in musical theatre from MNSU. All my love to my friends and family. IG: @mackspotts

JEROD TURNER

Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret, New Faces Sing Broadway 1951

(he/they/she, Ensemble, U/S Billy Crocker )

Huzzah! Jerod Turner (he/they/she) is elated to be returning with Porchlight Music Theatre this season. A proud Missouri native, Jerod comes from a small town named Eureka but has resided in Chicago for the past five years. Jerod graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from Columbia College Chicago in May of 2022. They recently performed with Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in their 2023 summer season in addition to their fall show. Previously with Porchlight, Jerod had the opportunity to perform in Cabaret and New Faces Sing Broadway 1951 . Outside of theater, Jerod’s simple joys include drag, scrapbooking, copious amounts of pinot noir, and seasonal availability items at Trader Joe’s. Credits include: Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver, Something Rotten, Pirates of Penzance, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater), Damn Yankees, Desperate Measures, The Sound of Music, Something Rotten, Music Man, Mary Poppins, A Year with Frog and Toad, Sister Act (Post Playhouse); A Man of No Importance, Xanadu (Columbia College Chicago). Here’s to a voyage of fair winds and following seas! IG: @jerod_turner

GENEVIEVE VENJOHNSON 

(she/her, Evangeline Harcourt ) 

In 2023, Genevieve performed in Lyric Opera’s production of  West Side Story, as the first ever female ‘Doc’ and in Fen at Court Theatre. Featured in Radio Golf at Gulfshore Playhouse, she’s performed regionally and on European stages. Chicago productions include: Steppenwolf Theatre, Broadway In Chicago, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, House Theatre,  Chicago Shakespeare, Ravinia Festival, Lifeline, Piven, The Blind Owl/Halcyon. Television roles: “Power Book IV: Force” (Starz);  “Proven Innocent” (FoxTV); “Chicago Justice” (NBC Universal) and “Low Winter” (Sun/AMC). IG: Gentlebee.buzz

ANTHONY WHITAKER 

Previously at Porchlight: A Funny Thing Happened…, Spring Awakening

(they/them, Elisha J. Whitney )

Anthony Whitaker is very happy to return to Porchlight, previously playing Erroneous in A Funny Thing Happened… and understudy for Spring Awakening . They most recently directed Hell In A Handbag’s production of Murder Re-Wrote . Some favorite recent roles: Herr Schultz in Cabaret (Metropolis Performing Arts Center and Cowardly Scarecrow) and Francis in La Cage Aux Folles with Ginger Minj (Music Theater Works), Hands On A Hardbody (Refuge Theatre), and Shock Headed Peter (Black Button Eyes). They are the Co-Artistic Director the New American Folk Theatre (Newamericanfolktheatre.org), where they wrote and/or performed in productions of Two from the Trailer Court, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Dark of the Moon, Trash, Hot Pink, My Life Is A Country Song and directed the Jeff Award-nominated The Summer of Daisy Fay . In addition to performing, Anthony teaches music and theatre in various Chicago area schools. Anthony recently completed filming the up-coming “Shape Notes.”

(he/him, Male Swing )

Noah Wood is so excited to be making his Chicago debut at Porchlight! He will soon be graduating from Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) with a BFA in musical theatre-dance emphasis. Recent credits include: “The Scarecrow” in Wizard of Oz (Summer Stock Austin), “Benny” in In The Heights (Summer Stock Austin) and “Billy Lawlor” in 42nd Street (CCPA). Sending tons of love to friends and family!

TAMMY MADER  

Previously at Porchlight: Assassins, Porchlight Revisits Mack and Mabel

(she/her, Choreographer )

Tammy Mader is a proud member of SDC, the union of professional Stage Directors and Choreographers. Credits include: Bye Bye Birdie , Hairspray (Jeff Award), Next To Normal , Sunset Boulevard , Gypsy , Spamalot , Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Jeff Nomination), Buddy; The Buddy Holly Story , T horoughly Modern Millie (Jeff Award), Meet Me In St. Louis , Kiss Me Kate (Jeff Nomination), Anything Goes (Jeff Nomination) and My One And Only (Jeff Award) at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace; Buddy; The Buddy Holly Story , Meet Me In St. Louis , Grand Hotel and The Full Monty at Drury Lane Water Tower Place; Guys & Dolls and Invisible Man at Court Theatre; Singin’ In The Rain , My One And Only (Jeff Nomination), 42nd St. (Jeff Award), Beauty and The Beas t for Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre; Animal Crackers for Baltimore’s Center Stage, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? for Drury Lane Theater in Evergreen Park; She Loves Me, Singin’ In The Rain (Jeff Nomination), Grand Hotel , 42nd St. , Meet Me In St. Louis and Swingin’ On A Star: The Johnny Burke Musical at Theater at the Center, Elizabeth Rex at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Porchlight Music Theatre’s Mack And Mabel and Assassins . 

G. “MAX” MAXIN IV 

Previously at Porchlight: Ernest Shackleton Loves Me

(he/him, Lighting & Projections Designer ) 

After more than a decade in Chicago, Max has created over 250 designs on over 150 professional and educational productions. He teaches and is the resident lighting designer for the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts and was an instructor at Northeastern Illinois University for seven years, receiving an Instructor Excellence Award in 2019. One of the founding members of Another Door Theatre Project, Max worked for three years as head of production/resident scenographer. He also spent two summers designing lighting for La Musica Lirica, a touring opera company in Novafeltria, Italy. He has received a Lou Award for Best Lighting on Into the Woods (Big Noise), has one Equity and five Non-Equity Jeff nominations. Max designed sets and lights on the 2022 Non-Equity Jeff Award winner for Best Musical, Kokandy’s Sweeney Todd ; as well as light and projections on the 2019 Non-Equity Jeff Award winner for Best Musical, BoHo’s Big Fish . Favorite design projects at Porchlight, Kokandy, Mercury, Black Ensemble, American Blues, Cincinnati Shakespeare, Theatre at the Center, Black Button Eyes, BoHo, Steppenwolf Garage, Another Door, CCPA, NEIU, Northwestern and DePaul.  Web: ivMaxin.com

PATRICK McGUIRE

(any pronoun with respect, Properties Designer ) 

Recent credits include: The SpongeBob Musical (Kokandy Productions), Addams Family , Xanadu , A Christmas Carol , Cabaret (Metropolis PAC), Junior Claus , The Christians (Citadel Theatre). Patrick has done freelance work for companies including Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Music Theater Works and Gallaudet University, as well as design/fabrication work in puppetry, historical millinery, props and costume crafts. MA (theatre directing), CCPA at Roosevelt University; MM, Boston University; BME, Illinois State. Web: patrickmcguirearts.com

Previously at Porchlight: New Faces Sing Broadway 1949 , Porchlight Revisits Applause

(he/him, Music Director ) 

Nick Sula is a pianist, arranger and award-winning music director for theater and cabaret and is thrilled to return to Porchlight Music Theatre! Music Direction credits include Sweeney Todd (Kokandy Productions) [Jeff Award]; Ghost Quartet [Jeff nomination], Nevermore , Amour , Coraline (Black Button Eyes); Myths & Hymns , The Glorious Ones [Jeff nomination], Pippin (BoHo Theatre), His & His , Broadway at the Broadway (Pride Films and Plays); Merrily We Roll Along , Head Over Heels , The Pajama Game , The Pirates of Penzance (CCPA). Nick can be seen performing with vocalists at theaters and cabaret venues around Chicagoland such as Davenport’s Piano Bar and the Skokie Theatre. As a professor of musical theatre, he serves as a music director, instructor, and vocal coach at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University.

MICHAEL WEBER

Previously at Porchlight: Cabaret,  Sunset Boulevard, Gypsy, Merrily We Roll Along

(he/him, Director/Artistic Director )

Michael Weber is a nationally recognized, award-winning director, producer, actor and educator. He recently directed the Off-Broadway and European premieres of  Call Me Elizabeth  written by and starring Kayla Boye as Elizabeth Taylor. Under his artistic leadership, Porchlight Music Theatre was awarded Chicago’s Jeff Award for “Best Production” six times for  A Class Act, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Sondheim on Sondheim, The Scottsboro Boys, Dreamgirls  and  Blues in the Night.  Porchlight productions that he directed, include  Cabaret, Gypsy, End of the Rainbow, Sweeney Todd, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pal Joey, Assassins  and  Side Show , as well as  Grand Hotel  at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place and  She Loves Me  at Theatre at the Center were each nominated for the Jeff Award Award for Best Production. He previously served as artistic director for the inaugural season of Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (now Broadway in Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse) and at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana (1998-2004). Directing credits include  Living the History-125 Years of The Auditorium Theatre  starring Patti LuPone and John Mahoney,  Fifth of July  and  Talley’s Folly  at the Oak Park Festival Theatre,  The Petrified Forest  at Theatre at the Center,  Beauty and the Beast  at Marriott Theatre,  Over the River and Through the Woods  at Mercury Theater,  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum  at Pheasant Run Theatre, and  Cirque du Symphony  at Sears Center Arena featuring stars of Cirque du Soleil with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The recipient of two Joseph Jefferson Awards, he has been nominated for nine awards and he wrote and directed 14 Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremonies (2006-2018). Weber’s regional acting credits include  The Merry Widow  (starring Renée Fleming) at Lyric Opera,  Annie Get Your Gun  and  Gypsy  (both starring Patti LuPone) at Ravinia Festival,  The Winter’s Tale  and  Henry V  at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre,  Around the World in 80 Days  at Cleveland Playhouse, Disney’s  My Son Pinocchio  at First Stage Milwaukee,  It Had To Be You  (starring Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka) at Little Theatre on the Square,  Angel Street  at First Folio Shakespeare, and  The Gifts of the Magi  at Indiana Repertory. He is author of the play,  WAR of the WELLeS  (about Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast) and he is a longtime pledge host for PBS station WTTW channel 11.

Meghan Murphy shines in Anything Goes !

Reviews are in –– Anything Goes is a hit!

Audiences react to Anything Goes !

Meet the director of Anything Goes , Artistic Director Michael Weber.

Meet choreographer Tammy Mader & music director Nick Sula.

An inside look at the first rehearsal and meet & greet for Porchlight’s production of Anything Goes !

Artistic Director and director of Anything Goes , Michael Weber, takes you on a tour on the backstory of Cole Porter and his legendary musical comedy, Anything Goes .

A sneak peek of Anything Goes and “I Get a Kick Out of You” as part of our Cole Porter Festival – A Celebration of the Man and his Music.

A sneak peek of Anything Goes and “Friendship” as part of our Cole Porter Festival.

Biden and Trump’s main challenge? The apathetic voters who could decide the election

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Although Haley Fox, 30, frequently chats politics with friends and family, she said, the moment the phrase “election 2024” comes up she feels her body fill with dread.

“There hasn’t been anything that has represented me for a really long time,” said Fox, a San Diego-based photographer. “So, like, 2024, just seeing what we have to choose from — it just feels so bleak.”

For Fox and many other Americans, election-year ennui is setting in. President Biden and former President Trump became their parties’ presumptive nominees weeks ago, capping one of the shortest primary seasons in U.S. history and beginning the long runway to the general election.

“It’s essentially two incumbents running against each other, is how it feels,” said Jared Sichel, a GOP strategist and co-founder of the Costa Mesa-based Republican marketing firm Winning Tuesday. “It’s kind of just Groundhog Day for a lot of people.”

Voters who don’t want either option — “double haters,” as they’re dubbed — make up about 15% of the electorate, according to polling last month from USA Today and Suffolk University. Other polls show their share to be closer to one-fifth of the electorate. In a neck-and-neck race between Trump and Biden, the bloc will be crucial in November.

But whether they will turn out to vote is the million-dollar question. Most Californians are not looking forward to voting for president this year, according to a February report from the Public Policy Institute of California.

Although 84% of Californians agreed that the 2024 election is “very important,” fewer than 4 in 10 said they are “extremely” or “very” enthusiastic about voting for president. Democrats are less enthused than Republicans, and independents are more apathetic than either party, the study found.

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April 2, 2024

The palpable apathy among voters has played out in low turnout in primaries across the country. Elections in presidential years typically get a boost from all of the national media attention. But the Washington Post found that just 10% of voters nationwide had cast their ballots in primaries through mid-March.

California saw just 34% of registered voters cast ballots on Super Tuesday, according to the secretary of state — the second-lowest presidential year primary turnout in the state’s history. (Just 31% of the state’s registered voters cast primary ballots in 2012, then-President Obama’s reelection year.)

Despite having more options for voting than ever, Los Angeles County was among the five California counties with the lowest voter turnouts in the March 5 primary, with 29% of registered voters casting ballots, the secretary of state reported. The low turnout came despite California moving its primary day to Super Tuesday, to align with 14 other states and American Samoa and encourage more voters to participate.

The Biden campaign, which was mostly quiet through Super Tuesday, launched its big push after the president’s State of the Union address two days later. His fiery speech, which pundits widely labeled as his way to fight against the narrative that he’s too old at 81 for another four years as president, kicked off a multiweek tour through key swing states.

Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff made stops in Nevada, Arizona and even California. Biden and his surrogates headlined multiple fundraisers, racking up more cash to add to the campaign’s burgeoning coffer of $155 million, according to the latest finance reports. His financing far outpaces the $42 million that Trump’s campaign had at the end of February.

“The stakes of this election couldn’t be higher, and our campaign is investing our historic resources in reaching voters where they are, earning every vote, and making sure the American people know how much is on the line this November,” senior Biden campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement.

“As Donald Trump promises to be a dictator on day one, rip away women’s freedom to choose, and rig the economy for himself and his wealthy friends at the expense of the middle class,” she continued, “it’s clear his toxic agenda and lack of resources mean he’s got nothing to win over the voters who will decide this election.”

Trump, meanwhile, has been busy with court appearances for his multimillion-dollar civil fraud judgment and preparations for the first of his four criminal trials, scheduled for April 15. He has also continued to be active on Truth Social, his social media platform, blasting Biden and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

“The more that Trump is able to stay out of the news, or at least [if] what he’s saying is focused on Biden, he will be able to probably turn out some of the more independent voters,” Sichel said. “I think the Biden campaign’s turnout is much more going to be based on alarm about Trump than excitement about Biden.”

But while the dueling campaigns fight for relevance among apathetic voters, their messages are not always cutting through the noise.

“It’s the boy who cried wolf,” Fox said. “OK, here we go again — democracy is at stake.”

“That was the theme of the campaign in 2020 ... battling for the soul of the nation,” said Mark Gonzalez, chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. “Every time we say this, it’s the most important election of our lifetime. But this one, in particular, is showcasing in [Trump’s] presidency all of the damage he had done.”

The county parties share a rare moment of unity in their messaging to encourage turnout and combat apathy: Vote local.

“Our message as a county party is to say there is no election more important than that for city council, board of supervisors, state Assembly and state Senate,” said Roxanne Hoge, a volunteer for the Republican Party of Los Angeles County.

Hoge’s challenge is making disgruntled Republicans living in majority-Democratic Los Angeles County understand that the best way to channel their frustration is through voting.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. So don’t complain. You know things aren’t great,” Hoge said. “You got a ballot; you’ll get one in October — turn it in.”

Breanne Deam, 34, didn’t vote in 2020 or 2016. And though the Yucaipa resident said she complains about politics with friends and family members regularly, she said she’s likely not to vote again this year.

“I know voting makes a difference. I think it does,” said Deam, an independent. “But those are just not my candidates.”

Biden hasn’t delivered on his campaign promises, Deam said, and she worries about his age. Trump brings too much baggage to please enough voters, she added, making this election feel particularly tense. She finds supporters of both candidates angry, and thinks America needs a candidate who can unite voters.

“It feels like a divorce. It seems like one is the mom and one’s the dad and we’re the kid,” Deam said. “At the end of the day, they don’t care about anyone but themselves.”

Fox, the San Diego photographer, voted unenthusiastically for Biden in 2020, deeming him a better choice than Trump. But she has watched in dismay his handling of the Israel-Palestinian crisis.

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“For somebody whose grandparents emigrated here from Palestine, I cannot vote for Biden,” she said.

But Trump is also a no-go for the registered Democrat — and she couldn’t remember the name of the third-party candidate who had once piqued her interest. (She later recalled that it was Claudia De la Cruz of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.)

Fox was once an enthusiastic follower of politics, tuning in to presidential election debates and keeping up with current events. Even though she wants to stay informed, Fox said, she has taken a step back from keeping up with the daily rigmarole of politics.

“Now it’s become something that feels like this really depressing chore,” Fox said. “Like, ‘Well, I guess I’m gonna figure out what’s going on for the election that I don’t want to vote in.’”

The most she can do now, she said, is consume a few videos or op-eds about the Middle East conflict before tuning out and playing some easygoing TikTok videos to lighten the mood.

But the road from primaries to November’s general election is long, and much can change over the next seven months.

“I don’t know how much the candidates or the campaigns are going to be able to drive turnout as much as events that are outside of their control,” said Sichel, the Republican strategist. “Because, you know, who doesn’t already know where they stand on Trump and Biden?”

When Lynne, a 70-year-old voter in Long Beach who declined to give her last name, cast her ballot on Super Tuesday, she encouraged her fellow voters to stay focused.

“We can’t think about the president so much; we’ll go crazy,” Lynne said. “Just focus on your own little part of the world. Make your own little part of the world better.”

More to Read

Column: Primary election no-shows in California are a warning to Biden

April 1, 2024

Letters to the Editor: You don’t have to like Biden or Trump, but voting for a third-party candidate puts America at risk

March 31, 2024

Column: She can’t stand Trump or Biden. Don’t tell this ‘double-hater’ she’s crazy voting for someone else

March 27, 2024

Faith E. Pinho is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, covering national and political news, including the 2024 election.

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