Setting sail this June is the Sooke Youth Theatre Company with a staging of Anything Goes: Youth Edition.
Written in 1934 with songs by Cole Porter, this lighthearted and snappy musical features lively characters, period costuming, and a large ship set designed and painted by Matt Robertson and Akiva Levy, who enjoy raising the bar with each production.
Violet Knowles is starring as the sassy lead, Reno Sweeney. “I love theatre, and SYTC has helped me make so many great friends and memories. This show, in particular, has been incredibly fun. I adore the characters, especially Reno’s personality. I’m very excited to share the amazing work our whole team has done!”
Khalil Levy, who first performed with Violet when they played the Darling siblings in Peter Pan (2019), is cast as the gangster Moonface Martin. Having acted since he was five, he feels passionate about taking on his 20th show and his continued growth. “This is one of my favourites, and I’ve really enjoyed rehearsing with everyone. I’m so impressed with my fellow castmates, some of whom are undertaking huge roles and songs in Anything Goes.”
Mia Dowhy is from a musical family- her grandmother Laura is the conductor of the Sooke Community Choir, and her father and younger brother have acted in various productions. She is playing the charismatic Billy Crocker and is back onstage with SYTC after appearing in Newsies as Spot Conlon.
“Anything Goes is my second musical with SYTC, and I've really loved getting to work with the group again. I think that one of my favourite parts of this show is the character dynamics— almost any two roles, if you put them together, would be able to interact in an interesting and unique way. I'm lucky in that I get to explore so many of these- Billy has scenes with almost all of my castmates at some point.”
Ma’ayan Levy and Eve Clark are helping again as dance captains, using their tap skills and rhythmic abilities to assist their peers in some of the more complicated numbers. Violet is also a veteran dancer, and all three actors further their studies at Revolution Dance Collective in a variety of classes.
Artistic director and choreographer Sage Easton and musical director Emily Anderson have been working together onstage and off since 2015 and are always impressed with the cohesiveness and talent in the group, noting that each new performance is an opportunity to showcase the numerous skills the young actors bring to the theatre.
The show takes the stage on June 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on June 22 in the Sooke Community Theatre at EMCS. Tickets are $20, $12 for youth 15 and under, with a family pack offered for $64 (includes 2 adults, 3 youth).
They can be purchased at https://www.sookeyouththeatrecompany.com/, https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6658426 or by cash or tap at the door.
