Anything Goes: Bill English to play Billy Crocker

Bill English will assume the role of 'Billy Crocker' from original cast member Colin Donnell on 1 May 2012 in the Roundabout's Tony Award-winning revival of Anything Goes, playing at the Sondheim Theatre. Donnell will play his final performance on 29 Apr 2012.

English previously stepped into the role from 24 Jan - 19 Feb 2012 while Donnell starred in the Encore! production of Merrily We Roll Along, and again from 2 Mar - 1 Apr 2012 when Donnell took a leave of absence to film the CW drama pilot "Arrow."

Bill English made his Broadway debut in the ensemble of the Roundabout's 2004 revival of 'Twentieth Century,' in which he also understudied the role of 'George Smith.' He has appeared in regional productions of 'The Full Monty,' 'The Shaags,' 'Dracula,' 'The Times' and 'The Man Who Came to Dinner.' He is best known for playing the role of "Joel" in the short-lived ABC television comedy series "Cavemen."

The musical's principal cast currently features Stephanie J. Block (Reno Sweene), Joel Grey (Moonface Martin), Colin Donnell (Billy Crocker), Robert Petkoff (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Erin Mackey (Hope Harcourt), Jessica Stone (Erma), Walter Charles (Captain), Robert Creighton (Purser), Andrew Cao (Luke), Raymond J. Lee (John), John McMartin (Elisha Whitney) and Julie Halston (Evangeline Harcourt).

Anything Goes: When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love... proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail.

Directed & choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, Anything Goes opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on 7 Apr 2011, following previews from 10 Mar 2011, where it is booking through to 9 Sep 2012.

The musical opened to mostly excellent reviews: Zesty new revival (NY Times); Pure, old-school magic (NY Post); What can you say about perfection? (Back Stage); An enjoyable cruise to musical comedy heaven (Newsroom Jersey).

Anything Goes won three 2011 Tony Awards: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster) and Best Choreography (Kathleen Marshall).

Anything Goes' music & lyrics are by Cole Porter, original book is by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse. The revival features a new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman.

The creative team includes Bill Elliott (Additional Orchestrations), Rob Fisher (Musical Director) and David Chase (Dance Arranger). The design team includes Derek McLane (Sets), Martin Pakledinaz (Costumes), Peter Kaczorowski (Lights) and Brian Ronan (Sound).

Anything Goes premiered on Broadway on 21 Nov 1934 at the Alvin Theatre, starring Ethel Merman, directed by Howard Lindsay and choreographed by Robert Alton.

The first Broadway revival of Anything Goes premiered on Broadway on 19 Oct 1987 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre and won the Tony Award for best revival. It starred Patti LuPone, with direction by Jerry Zaks and choreography by Michael Smuin.