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closeCome on board for an unforgettable experience
Local theater group presents the musical comedy “Anything Goes” as dinner theater, enchanting experience on the high seas
Chris Albert
The production of All Saints Theatrical Repertoire Association’s “Anything Goes” takes the audience aboard a cruise ship for an evening of musical comedy dinner theater from July 24 to 26 at All Saints Parish Center Stage in Puyallup.
This is the seventh musical production for the theater group comprised of more than 200 volunteers. Young and old people from all over the region participate for the love of theater.
“That’s the great thing about ASTRA,” said Sue Ward, assistant director. “There’s lots of young kids involved.”
And many of the young people involved take on important roles. Kelsey Kovacevich, 19, is directing the production. It’s her third time for the acting group.
She does everything from acting to singing, Ward said. She even choreographed the dance routines for “Anything Goes,” Ward added.
“This young lady is absolutely amazing,” she said.
For each production the group tries to top what they did before, only limited by their own imaginations.
Last year, the group presented the musical “Cinderella.”
It was a chance for them to take a step into special effects as Cinderella immediately transformed on stage from her servant girl rages to a gown fit for a princess.
“The audience was blown away by it,” Kovacevich said.
“Anything Goes” is a musical comedy that takes place on a cruise ship with dignitaries, mobsters, FBI agents, long-lost loves and the comedic craziness that ensues when they are all together isolated on the ocean.
For this year’s show, the theater group transformed their parish center into a cruise ship with a ship entrance, dinner tables that look like they are on board the vessel, a smoke stack in the back, a stage entwined with the rest of the room and the walls covered with the starry skies of a night out on the high seas.
“It create’s a different atmosphere,” Kovacevich said. “We wanted you to feel like you were on a cruise ship.”
“It’s a really special experience when you can step in the door and be instantly submerged.”
Exceeding expectations is what the group likes to do, she said.
“I keep expecting us to plateau, but every show is different,” Kovacevich said.
Expect to be surprised, Ward said. Each show has quality and intrigue all in the name of great theater.
“I think we’re creating our own genre,” she said. “And every year it gets bigger and better.”
East Pierce County has many theater groups who take on productions, Kovacevich said.
“I think a lot of it comes from the love of theater,” Ward said.
But what sets ASTRA apart from the rest, Kovacevich said, is not only the their large scale productions but the camaraderie that develops amongst those involved.
Everyone has a smile on their face, she said, no matter what.
“We’re crazy,” Kovacevich said. “We love it.”
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Astra presents “Anything Goes”
Tickets for the play range from $45 to $10, depending on seating. There are dinner shows offered and dessert shows.
> Doors open at 6 p.m. for the Thursday, July 24, dessert show and the show starts at 6:30 p.m.
> Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for the Friday, July 25, dinner show and the show starts at 7:15 p.m.
> Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for the Saturday, July 26, dinner show and the show starts at 7:15 p.m.
> Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for the Sunday, July 27, matinee dessert show and the show starts at 2 p.m.
> Tickets are limited so call ahead. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.astramusical.com or by call 253-579-6192.