Orono Kids Dive Into Production of ‘Anything Goes’

Each role is unique in the 54-member cast of “Anything Goes” put on this weekend by the Blue Water Theater Company at Wayzata Central Middle School in Plymouth.

For Jack Ellis and Katie Halloran, both of Orono, theater is a big part of their lives, and Blue Water has been a great way to be in theater all year long.

Often youth who join Blue Water participate in more than one production during the year. “Anything Goes” is Jack’s 11th production, and he is only been with Blue Water for two and a half years.

“It’s addicting,” Jack, 14, said. “I started in the youngest age bracket that you can and been in a lot of different roles.”

In contrast, this is Katie’s second show with Blue Water. Katie, 16, has a unique situation, as she is the voice of a main character, Bonnie, while another student, Kasey Carpenter of Wayzata, is acting the same part.

“I sing her songs, and Kasey does her acting scenes during the musical,” Katie said. “I think it was done this way to have more parts for people, and Kasey is great as Bonnie.”

For Katie, the biggest challenge has been improving her dancing skills.

“I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “This really is a funny and entertaining show. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

Jack plays Elisha J. Whitney, who in the original production, only has a few lines, says them and walks off, but Jack said he’s expanding on the part.

“I’m making him bigger than life,” Jack said. “This role has helped me develop my acting skills more, too.”

The Blue Water Theater Company has about four big productions like “Anything Goes” during the year—one student directed play and one play that will be performed during the Minneapolis Fringe Festival in August.

Director and founder of the nonprofit Blue Water Theater Company, Charlie Leonard, said since the company got started in 2007 and had its first show in January 2008 it’s had about 20 productions total, three are during the school year.

Leonard, of Plymouth, has always found theater fun and enjoyed it. While he was teaching in the Wayzata Middle School there was no theater so he volunteered to direct a school play. When he left the school many of the students didn’t want to the theater program to leave with him so the Blue Water Theater Company was founded.

Blue Water relies solely on donations, ticket sales and participation fees. The participation fee was $345 per student and $295 for families for each additional student.

Although the company doesn’t expect to sell out every production every night, it generates a good profit with the people who are closest to it: the actors and actresses and their family and friends.

“We have a mailing list of over 1,000 and with social media and kids talking about us word has gotten out,” Leonard said.

Leonard chose “Anything Goes” for this year’s end-of summer musical production because of the energy it brings to the cast, crew and the audience.  And others agree.

“This show gets people excited,” Jack said. “We even set the tone of the entire thing before you sit down to watch it.”

“Anything Goes” is set on a ship in 1930s and with that theme in mind, the foyer and entry to the auditorium will look like a boarding dock to a ship.Songs from the musical that have become popular include “It’s De-Lovely,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.”

Blue Water is all about youth.

Kids work on the sets, costumes with volunteer adults, parents and community members, but teens man the soundboard, managing the lighting and props.

For Leonard the biggest challenge is being ready by opening night after only a few short weeks of work, but he says it’s a fun challenge.

“What makes Blue Water unique is it is completely student centered,” Leonard said. “We don’t have teams of adults working on a huge set and having the kids just be on stage performing like with other companies. We make sure it is a team effort with everything.”

Blue Water has become its own community even. Leonard said even though someone may not be working on this particular production there is a constant stream of past members who have come to visit the current production group.

“Anything Goes” runs 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow, Saturday, July 30, Wayzata Central Middle School, 305 Vicksburg Lane in Plymouth. Pre-show entertainment with students singing for the audience begins at 7:10 p.m.

Tickets cost $11 for students or seniors and $14 for adults.