Rehearsal for a musical requires repetition, hard work and a commitment to many hours of practice.

But to the actors, stage crew, production crew and the directors, rehearsal for “Anything Goes” is all about fun.

“This musical is a feel good romp,” said Tom Gunning, who, along with his wife, Teresa Gunning, are the Directors of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Theater Arts Department. “People must see this show.”

And people will have that opportunity to see and enjoy a fun evening out when the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Theater Arts Department presents the musical “Anything Goes” on Thursday, April 27, Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29.

Each performance will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held in the high school’s auditorium.

Here is the ticket information:

Tickets in advance online at  https://our.show/brhs-tad-ag:

$15/adults, $7/students & seniors*

Tickets at the door:

$18/adults, $10/students & seniors*

*Senior citizens residing in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District are free with proof of residency

“Anything Goes” features music and lyrics by Cole Porter with the original book by P.G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, and the new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman.

“Anything Goes”  is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.

Tom Gunning is so infatuated with this musical, that he went on record to include “Anything Goes” with two of his cherished musicals that are Tony Award recipients—-”Music Man” and “Mame.”

“The two shows that you first think about as musicals are “Music Man ” and “Mame,” Tom Gunning revealed.

“And now this one (“Anything Goes”)  now can be referred to with those two musicals.”

Now that we understand Tom Gunning’s affection for “Anything Goes,” how about the Bridgewater-Raritan High School students who take the stage during these late afternoons and follow the instructions of their dedicated directors in an empty high school auditorium.

“I second his (Tom Gunning) opinion about the show,” said Bella Lobosco, a high school senior who is portraying a leading character, Reno Sweeney, in the production. “This is a fun show  for everyone. People will love it.”

Cole Januzzi, a high school junior, is playing another lead character, Billy Crocker.  He, too, has a bounce in his step during rehearsals on stage.

“I really like it, it is fast paced,” Cole said. “The audience will not expect what will happen next.”

Tom Gunning is renowned for his upbeat personality and the positive image that both he and his wife, Teresa, portray.

And they are not acting.

So  to hear him explain this musical, you come away knowing how close to his heart this performance is.

“This brings about the idea of having joy in your life,” Tom Gunning said. “This show is about how you live your life and it is just joy and fun.”

And he went on to proclaim:

“This is the best musical Cole Porter has ever written.”

Cole Porter is the famed American composer and songwriter. According to Wikipedia, many of his songs became standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway and in film.

Yes, those songs can stay with you. So said Teresa Gunning, who has heard the lyrics during these countless rehearsals.

“You don’t get tired of listening to these songs,” Teresa Gunning said.. “ The songs are in your head.”

Cole Januzzi, aka Billy Crocker, summed up the general feeling that is shared through by everyone on this late afternoon in this vacant high school auditorium.

“This is a blast.”

Here are the Bridgewater-Raritan High School students who make up the entire production-while having fun, too.

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CAST

Jayleen Alvarado     Erma

Grant Beck                Moonface Martin

Fallon Billy                Purser

Derek Boxer              Eli Whitney

Autumn Esler            Dippy

Tim Gaffney              Captain

Alaina Gust                Hope Harcourt

Amanda Hirsch         Angel #3, Charity

Kristina Houston      Angel #4, Virtue

Cole Januzzi             Billy Crocker

Cameron Knauf        Evelyn Oakleigh

Bella Lobosco          Reno Sweeney

Amelia Ludwig         Angel #2, Chastity

Mayann Martinez     Spit

Amalia Marquardt    Mrs. Harcourt

Franny Murray         Angel #1, Purity

Tia Sharma              Swing

ENSEMBLE

Evan Andrews

LJ Aponte

Ezra Brotschul

Sadie Brown

Lila Dettelback

Charlotte Falcon

Ava Hathaway

Zabel Kerizian

Julianne Maloney

Brett McManus

Adriana Minerva

Jessica Munro

Matthew Pelc

Rebecca Puszkin

Emme Turner

Patrick Walsh

Ethan Xiong

Josh Zagare

PRODUCTION STAFF AND CREW

Samantha Barnes                     Student Director

Sidak Chahal                             Assistant Student Director

Meera Gharat                           Technical Director

Evan Gilmurray                       Stage Manager

Jenifer Haley                            Costume Assistant

Matthew Jimenez-Heymann   Script/Continuity Supervisor

Indiana Lu                                 Assistant Technical Director

Erin Murphy                             Properties Master

Christina Nowakowski            Assistant Stage Manager

Julia Pedroso                          Assistant Stage Manager

Samantha Pyne                       Assistant Properties Manager

Harjas Saini                             Assistant Stage Manager (intern)

Jasmine Saini                          Student Music Director

CREW

Aesha Acharya

Ariella Bowie

Caitlyn Hoff

Addison Lewis

Mattingly Niles

Isabella Scaglione