KRISTOPHER THOMPSON-BOLDEN
Sexy and sassy are the words that come to mind when Kristopher Thompson-Bolden describes his ensemble role as the lone Black sailor in the Roundabout Theater Company’s production of “Anything Goes,” which ran at Heinz Hall recently.
“I’m the sexy booty sailor. I get chosen to do flirting scenes in the show,” said New York resident by way of Houston, Thompson-Bolden, who first came to the Steel City in 2005 in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ in the role of Asher. “The sailors are the rock of the show and I came up with my own fun sailor. He has a little flavor to him. I’m trying to hold it down. The character is fun to create every night.”
Winner of three Tony Awards in 2011 including Revival of a Musical, “Anything Goes” is a musical comedy that takes places on the S.S. American cruise ship and revolves around the lives of young lovers, blackmailers and clowns.
The national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s “Anything Goes” premiered in Pittsburgh as part of the PNC Broadway Across America Pittsburgh series and was presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.
Roundabout Theatre is one of New York City’s most well-known theaters reaching over 600,000 musical enthusiasts annually. It is the country’s largest not-for-profit theater companies with four theaters both on Broadway and off Broadway. “Anything Goes” will travel to more than 20 cities during the 2012-2013 season.
Thompson-Bolden said the lovable antics of the sailors and the universal themes of friendship and love are reasons the African-American community should come out and see “Anything Goes.”
“First of all I’m in it and this is the bigger than any other part I have ever played. People should never give up on love because you’ll never know who you’ll fall in love with and creating new friendships and building on ones you had in the past are what draw people to the show,” Thompson-Bolden said. “It’s good clean fun and people can bring their kids and they can bring the whole family. The show is just a lot of fun and the music is amazing. You’re going to pay attention to lyrics and the music is beautiful.”
The show’s musical numbers, which include “It’s De-Lovely,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and the title track, were penned by song writer and composer, Cole Porter. The Yale graduate wrote football songs for the Ivy League school, which are still played at the school today. In addition to the music in “Anything Goes,” Porter is known for other hits including “Night and Day” and “Begin the Beguine.” He also wrote scores for some of Broadway’s most memorable musicals including “Silk Stockings” and “Kiss Me, Kate” before his death in 1964.
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