The Kent State University presentation of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” was one of many throughout the country. It was presented in June 2008 in the Porthouse Theatre and advertised, “Porthouse welcomes all aboard for this tuneful, tap-dancing, transatlantic romp awash with romance and intrigue.” The presentation included a fancy set. On stage is the S.S. America painted blue with stairs. On board are sailors and passengers wearing elegant costumes. There are even lights to decorate the scene.
Cole Porter would be proud of this presentation of “Anything Goes”. It represents the purpose behind it which is mocking wealth. In this image, all the women are wearing lacy gowns and nice hairdos with lots of jewelry. The men are wearing white or black suits with nice shoes. Even the sailors look nice wearing their ornate uniforms. Wealthy people would never go anywhere without looking nice and that is what Porter is pointing out. They would also never ride on a cruise ship if it weren’t expensive, and extravagant. The S.S. America, though only a small part is shown in the photograph, makes anyone want to climb on the ship and spend a week cruising. The set is made to look like the best ship in the world, and it gives off the perfect impression of prosperity. The lights finish the scene beautifully. They add color to all the right spots on the set and the actors. They make the dresses look sparkly, the shoes look shiny, and the ship look magnificent. They set off Porter’s image of wealth to the extreme.
This photograph of Porthouse Theatre’s presentation of “Anything Goes” shows Porter’s idea of wealth. All the details such as the costumes, the ship, and the lights add to the effect of luxury.
You have very nice descriptive details about the setting and the passengers. I immediately get the idea that this is a classy place for classy people. One question: Why is Cole Porter mocking wealth? It sounds like the costumes are elegant, and the ship is magnificent and luxurious. Is he trying to make the ship flashy for the purpose of mocking it?
ReplyDeleteIt also seems like there is a lot of patriotism. from the blue ship with white borders to the uniform-wearing soldiers (not to mention the "S.S. America"), Cole Porter shows that the ship crew and passengers are proud of their nation. One could say that they are so proud of their nation because it supplies them with their luxuries...Perhaps that could add into your thesis on Porter's idea of wealth.
Amelie, this is good. In fact, I think you'll be able to use some - not all - of this in your final paper. By the time we get to read about your image in your paper, we should already know why Cole Porter mocks wealth. If you use this image to show how costume designs contribute to the overall rhetoric of the musical, I think you'll be on the right track. Good work.
ReplyDelete