It’s been seven years since Vashon High School’s theater arts produced a classic American musical for its spring performance. This weekend will interrupt that trend when students perform Cole Porter’s classic and popular musical, “Anything Goes.” The show opens Friday and will run for three weekends.

“I thought it was time for the students to get some experience working in that particular style,” Director Stephen Floyd said, “so I immediately thought of Cole Porter as the music is so wonderful.”

A live orchestra with a mix of students and adults led by Maggie Laird will back up the singers and play the scores for several full-cast tap numbers.

“We’ve always had dance in the musicals,” Floyd said, “but we’ve not done a tap musical. It is a chance for students to learn new skills.”

A solid core of students have been taking tap for several years or more, Floyd added.

When the cast of 25 to 30 students, including a number of graduating seniors, take to the boards, they will portray the madcap antics of travelers on an ocean liner headed from New York to London.

Since its 1934 Broadway debut, the four lead roles have traditionally been known as star vehicles, beginning with Ethel Merman, Floyd said. To give more students an opportunity to play the leads, Floyd double cast the show. He also gave the backstage crew a chance to learn new skills, making special props that will enhance the sets he and his husband Phil Dunn constructed.

The entertaining show will run at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, May 13, 20 and 27, and Saturdays, May 14, 21 and 28. There will only be one matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 29.

There will be two benefit shows. The first will be Friday, May 20, with proceeds to benefit the VHS junior class. A benefit for Vashon Rotary will be on Saturday, May 21.

Tickets are sold at the VHS Office, Vashon Bookshop and at the door.