TIMES HAVE CHANGED…

Moving away from the activism and community organization of the 60s, the 70’s saw a new wave of “fuck it, let’s party” energy. As the Vietnam War raged on and trust in authority and our nation crumbled we turned from the earnest to the hedonistic. The folk music that once carried a message transitioned into disco, where it was all about enhancing the drugs we were on and encouraging body contact. The gay liberation movement raged forward, but partying began to pulse at its center. We moved from community organization to individualism, and with it came an array of fabulous aesthetics from the worlds of fashion, disco, glam rock, and more.

This Anything Goes capitalizes on amplified 1970’s aesthetics and themes to let us lean further into this madcap, horny romp in a bold new way.

Aesthetic and thematic influences:

  • Cocaine-chic films set in the 70’s such as Boogie Nights, Saturday Night Fever, and American Hustle

  • Absurd takes on the ultra rich and class disparity such as Triangle of Sadness and Hunger Games

This lens should make the story feel close and fresh, and hold a mirror up to this new age of disconnect and hedonism we’re experiencing. But most importantly, it should bring out the most important, core qualities within Anything Goes, which I believe to be its madcap comedic sensibility and its commentary on class. It’s a horny, hilarious romp, and this world building should amplify that.

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THE S.S. AMERICA

This version of The S.S. America is reminiscent of a floating Studio 54, where the rich are able to indulge in their naughtiest behavior. Opulence is exaggerated to a cartoonish degree with Seuss-ian cold-bar towers, ice-luges, mountains of cocaine, and piles of designer luggage. Nautical meets neon, with plenty of portholes and doors to accommodate the door slamming comedy.

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 THE PASSENGERS

Aesthetic: 70’s cocaine-chic glamour meets the absurd loudness of Hunger Games’ “District 1.”

The ensemble is constructed of a group of very specific characters, each poking fun at different factions of ultra-rich culture and/or 70s culture to a slightly absurd degree. Possible examples include:

  • The woman who’s recovering from plastic surgery (this can be one of Billy’s disguises) and her nurse.

  • The daddy with his two younger boy toys

  • A big guy with his supermodel wife

  • The culty guru with his girlfriends

Each character should be decked out in glamorous, 70’s cocaine-chic style, but might have a pop of cartoon absurdity, ie brightly colored hair or an accentuated costume element.

THE SAILORS

And then there are the blue collar workers, the lower class, the sailors that make all the luxury and debauchery possible. Ours are a tribe of rough trade men the wealthy can fetishize. They bring an element of virility to the ship.

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 GENDER BENDING

If As You Like It taught me anything, horny, comedic romps and gender bending go hand-in-hand. Some fun opportunities to explore this could be…

  • The Angels, Virtue in particular.

    • As the fourth the introduce herself out of the four, and with her slightly elevated plot line with Mooney, it could be fun.

  • Lady Catherine Harcourt

    • I can’t help but think of Drew Droege’s performance in Titanique as Ruth. This could spice up the comedy in Eli’s pursuit of her.