playwrightmo
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Decisions, Decisions . . .OK, so here's the deal. I am planning on proposing a musical for our youth theatre program, and after agonizing over what show to choose, I have finally decided on Anything Goes. Now here's the problem I face: I can't decide on which version to do. I am pretty familiar with both versions, and I like them both for very different reasons.
I want to do the 1980's version because it seems to feature the ensemble more. I also like the fact that Whitney is given his own song (however brief it may be), and I love the idea of Evelyn singing "The Gypsy In Me."
Now for why I want to do the 1960's version. I also love the songs that were cut out for the newest incarnation, particularly Bonnie's stuff. I also am more familiar with the book, after having done this version back in high school.
So, what do you all think? Has anyone had more success with one version over the other? Let me know!
P.S. How do the books vary? Are a lot of the jokes the same?
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Mara
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Well, I'm only really familiar with the 80s show, it's really great and the jokes are hilarious.
My school had a similar problem - they had previously done the 60s version but then we did the 80s one and it was sad because some of the stuff was great.
I can't really judge because I'm not an expert on the 62 but I know that I absolutely loved doing the 1987 version. I think whichever you choose you have a great time.
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Salome
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the 80s version is closest ot the original 1934 production. it put bacl Buddy Beware,Gypsy in Me and Easy to Love. it did keep some interpolated songs from the 62 versipon such as Friendship and DeLovely.
but it got ride of non essential additions like Heaven hop and Lets Step Out. (which are 2 of the worst songs porter wrote...and he rarely wrote a bad lyric).
the 87 version also develops the characters more..especially Lord Evelyn,Hope and Reno.
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What Is This Feeling?
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Agreed. I'd go with the 80s as well.
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Buff Daddy
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The 80's version is the one I was fortunate enough to perform - it's so much better than the 60's version
Buff 
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DanUSGS
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I like the 60s version just fine, but do the 87 version for the simple sake of having "Buddy Beware"
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Salome
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| DanUSGS wrote: | | I like the 60s version just fine, but do the 87 version for the simple sake of having "Buddy Beware" |
not ot mention
Gypsy in Me
Easy to Love
Goodbye Little Dream Goodbye
I want to Row on The Crew
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DanUSGS
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I like "Let's Misbehave" better than Gypsy In Me. And I Want to Row on the Crew isn't great.
Easy to Love and Goodbye Little Dream are though.
But the 60s version has Take me Back to Manhattan.
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Salome
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| DanUSGS wrote: | I like "Let's Misbehave" better than Gypsy In Me. And I Want to Row on the Crew isn't great.
Easy to Love and Goodbye Little Dream are though.
But the 60s version has Take me Back to Manhattan. |
Gypsy in Me is a far better song than Lets misbehave. Although lets misbehave is a witty funn number. Gypsy in Me was written for Anything Goes..Letw Misbehave was added to the 62 revival. it was from a revue of Porter's written in 1928.
Gypsy is much more character driven and a much more mature comic song than Lets Misbehave.
Esy to Love was also in the original Anything Goes. but cut early on at Bill Gazton's request.
"Crew" gives Whitney something to do and historically it works because Porter originally wrote in as a Yale student.
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DanUSGS
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And since when is "mature" and "Anything Goes" in the same sentence. Porter liked having his songs rearranged. I mean don't get me wrong, I like Gypsy in Me fine, I just like Let's Misbehave better.
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