A Shipshape Operation

1934 was a milestone. Among other things, Washington made liquor legal and marijuana illegal, lending special meaning to the title of Cole Porter’s big hit of the season, “Anything Goes.” It also gave Ethel Merman her first starring role, as Reno Sweeny, a character based on both Aimee Semple McPherson and Texas Guinan.

“Anything Goes,” at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, is typical of its era and one of its best examples. An ocean liner is the setting, the characters are from Wall Street, gangland, England and, naturally, the hot spots of Manhattan. It holds a distorting mirror up to the jet set of the day, with its tongue in its cheek and tap shoes on its feet.

These are the parameters for the frolicking and cavorting aboard the SS American, and director Terri Miller Schmidt, with some exceptions, sees the musical as it is, a period piece whose charm is in its contagious score and simple book--not the “new” rewritten book mistakenly credited in the program, but the original by P.G. Wodehouse. Schmidt moves things along at the right brisk clip, as does Melanie K. Jacobson in her simplistic, period-correct choreography.

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The musical is a demanding one vocally, with such dynamic standards as “You’re the Top,” “Blow Gabriel Blow” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” Bill Wolfe’s musical direction provides exuberant energy for most of the tunes but ignores the fact that in the period, even the ballads were fairly up tempo; lethargic versions of songs like “Night and Day” miss the beat.

Scott Ruiz as Billy Crocker--the young man who is fired by his Wall Street boss as the ship is sailing but stays aboard in various disguises to win back his sweetheart--is exceptional. His bright, crystalline vocals couldn’t be a better fit for this score, and he’s a perfect match as well for the delightful Adriana Sanchez as his love, Hope Harcourt.

Pat Boldt’s Reno Sweeny works well up to a point, but this evangelist turned nightclub star isn’t nearly as brassy as she should be, not the symbol of her era that she should be.

Sherry Domerego is good as Hope’s fortune-seeking mother, and Tom Royer easily gets his laughs as the bumbling, titled Englishman she wants Hope to marry. Melanie K. Jacobson, as a gun moll on the loose, understands the period and plays the role impeccably, as does Damien Lorton as the Wall Street tycoon, whose stuffed shirt holds a heart of gold.

Schmidt’s one big misstep is allowing Kyle Myers, as Moonface Martin, Public Enemy No. 13, to try to make this “An Evening With Kyle Myers,” mugging and overplaying and showing his affection for a number of famous clowns by aping them. He’s too talented to play those games.

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* “Anything Goes,” Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 661 Hamilton St. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends June 29. $12.50-$15. (714) 650-5269. Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes.

Scott Ruiz: Billy Crocker

Pat Boldt: Reno Sweeny

Kyle Myers: Moonface Martin

Adriana Sanchez: Hope Harcourt

Melanie K. Jacobson: Bonnie

Tom Royer: Sir Evelyn Oakleigh

Sherry Domerego: Mrs. Harcourt

Damien Lorton: Elisha J. Whitney

A Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse production of Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy. Produced by Giovanna Fusco. Directed by Terri Miller Schmidt. Choreography: Melanie K. Jacobson. Musical direction: Bill Wolfe. Costumes: Larry Watts. Scenic design: David Hudnall. Lighting design: John Fejes. Stage manager: Robert Murphy.