Summit High School’s Musical Anything Goes was “Electrifying”

Summit High School students brought the glitz and glamor of the 1930s to the stage with their dazzling production of Cole Porter’s beloved musical Anything Goes last week, February 28 through March 2.

“Wow, wow, wow! ” said Summit’s Council President Lisa Allen after catching a performance. “The talent and passion of our SHS students is not just remarkable but electrifying.” Summit's Mayor Elizabeth Fagan agreed. “I couldn’t stop talking about the show when I got home,” she said. “The musicians, the set and the crew, all of it was like a professional production. It was truly awesome!”

Anything Goes, with its high-energy dance numbers, toe-tapping tunes, and elaborate two-story set, was the achievement of over 140 Summit High School students. The skills of the cast, crew, and pit orchestra combined to create a joyous musical extravaganza that captured the era’s spirit and charm and had the audience laughing out loud and jumping to its feet during the final bows.
Summit’s latest musical continued in the performing arts program’s long tradition of excellence. Since 2005, Summit’s shows have been garnering nominations in nearly every category of prestigious Papermill Playhouse’s Rising Star Awards, which recognize excellence in New Jersey’s high school musical theater. Sixteen of Summit’s spring musicals have received Rising Star Awards nominations for Best Overall Musical.

As Mayor Elizabeth Fagan noted, Summit’s achievements are a result of both the students’ talents and those of Summit High School’s director Anne Poyner. “We are so lucky to have Mrs. Poyner,” said Mayor Fagan. “She clearly inspires [the students] to work hard and do things many of them probably never thought possible.” Mrs. Poyner has won not only a Rising Star Award in Outstanding Direction, but also the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator award.
The Hilltoppers’ rendition of Anything Goes created quite a buzz. The show generated over 3,000 ticket sales, and both Friday and Saturday night performances were sold out.

SHS Performing Arts Department presents a Fall Play in mid November and a Spring Musical in the beginning of March. To stay informed of upcoming shows, sign up for the Hilltopper Stage Productions mailing list here www.hilltopperstageproductions.org/contact