Northwestern Lehigh Middle School theater students will perform “Anything Goes” from April 27-29 in the middle school auditorium.

“Anything Goes,” set in 1934, tells the story of Billy Crocker, a young man who falls in love with Hope Harcourt, an English heiress who is being forced to marry Lord Evelyn Oakleigh on a luxury liner.

Crocker decides to follow Harcourt and confess his love to her.

When he discovers his boss is on the same ship, he disguises himself as a gangster with the help of another gangster on the run from the law.

This two-act musical is based on the book of the same name by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, and revised by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Music and lyrics are by Cole Porter.

John Meltsch portrays Crocker. Reilly Leisher plays Harcourt.

Meltsch described Billy as an up-and-comer on Wall Street who falls in love with Harcourt.

“I like that my character has mixed emotions about himself and does what he wants,” Meltsch said.

Leisher said Harcourt, who is settling down with Oakleigh, isn’t in love with him.

“Evelyn Oakleigh is rich and Hope’s mom only wants them to get married for money,” Leisher said. “Hope is really in love with Billy Crocker, and this causes much confusion in her life.”

Leisher said she loves playing Hope because nothing seems to work for her and she is very confused.

“I don’t know why but she is such an interesting (character) but a challenging role to play,” Leisher said, adding it is awesome to see what the world was like during that time period in which the show is set.

“This story is amazing,” she stated. “I am so happy I am part of this production.”

Elijah Johri, who portrays Lord Evelyn Oakleigh and Olivia Emens, who plays nightclub singer Reno Sweeney also commented on their roles.

Johri said his character is quirky, funny and gets all the ladies.

“I like playing my character because I get to have fun with the accent,” he stated.

Johri said he loves acting because it is not all serious. He gets to act and have fun at the same time.

Emens said Sweeney knows what she wants.

“I like how she is different from my personality because she is much more outgoing than I am,” Emens stated.

“Anything Goes” is directed by Robin Andriano-Leisher and Kevin Emens, and choreographed by Kim Borgman with musical direction by Theresa Keim.

Andriano-Leisher said the reason she chose this musical is because she saw the 2011 revival of “Anything Goes” on Broadway and fell in love with the beautiful music and lyrics of Cole Porter.

“I wanted to expand the love of Broadway to my students beyond their knowledge of “Hamilton,” “Wicked” and “Les Miserables,” she said. “‘Anything Goes’ was a perfect way to get the kids to appreciate classic Broadway musicals.”

Andriano-Leisher said the story concerns madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London.

“Billy Crocker is a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh,” she stated. “Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy No. 13 Moonface Martin aid Billy in his quest to win Hope.

The musical introduced such songs as “Anything Goes,” “You’re the Top” and “I Get a Kick Out of You,” Andriano-Leisher said.

The musical “Anything Goes” will be performed 7 p.m. on April 27 and 28; and 2 p.m. on April 29 in the auditorium at the middle school.

Tickets are $5 for adults; and $3 for students and seniors. Tickets will only be available at the door.