I have a confession to make: Before I got an opportunity to see Anything Goes, I had never seen a Broadway show. This was my first experience to what has become a long-standing tradition of theatrical excellence. As this is also the first show of the season, I was expecting nothing less than a really good experience. Suffice it to say, my expectations were not only surpassed, but blown out of the water entirely.

Anything Goes is the  humorous tale of  Billy Crocker, a young man who, at the cost of his job, decides to stow away aboard an ocean liner travelling from New York to London to prevent the love of his life from marrying another man. Bound by the afflictions of the heart, our hero is anchored to share the feelings with the bride-to-be, all the while trying to avoid the eye of the ship’s crew and the authorities.

The music, from the legendary Cole Porter (another staple of theater to which I am just now getting acquainted), was top-notch. The cast was superb, featuring players who are truly in a league of their own, making you believe the characters are every bit as lively as the play itself. The choreography is dazzling, creating a romance between the moves and the audience just as palpable as the love shared between the characters. I cannot praise this performance enough.

This show, the 2011 revival of the Broadway favorite, is every bit as smart and sophisticated as it was in 1934. It’s a rare treat for Nashville to have such a piece of culture, so do be sure to support the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and see it.

Tickets and show information are available at  http://www.tpac.org/. The show runs until October 28th, so catch it before it leaves port.