Classic musicals by Cole Porter and Irving Berlin will be lighting up Seattle stages this holiday season

One man was born in 1888 to poor Russian-Jewish immigrants and had little formal education. The other, born in 1891 to a privileged Indiana clan, inherited a fortune and attended Yale University.

By heritage, Irving Berlin (born Israel Berlin) and Cole Porter were studies in contrast.

Yet in the equalizing world of show biz, both became brilliant toasts of Broadway, justly famed composer-lyricists of timeless songs.

Two major examples of the Porter and Berlin canons will be on display next week, at decorous Seattle showplaces erected as both men were helping create the great American songbook.

The Paramount Theatre is hosting a Broadway national tour of the colorful Berlin show "Annie Get Your Gun," with Marilu Henner as Wild West Show sharpshooter Annie Oakley and Tom Wopat as her lover and rival, Frank Butler.

And the 5th Avenue Theatre is launching a new production of Porter's splashy romantic comedy, "Anything Goes" with Tony Award-nominee Dee Hoty as feisty evangelist-turned-nightclub-chanteuse Reno Sweeney.

But even if "Anything Goes" and "Annie Get Your Gun" adhere to the same upbeat, music-comedy-song-dance formula Broadway reveled in during much of the 20th century, the shows also carry the personal trademarks of two singular American tunesmiths. When "Anything Goes" debuted in 1934, Porter was nearing his peak of productivity as a sophisticated music and social pacesetter.

And while the Great Depression propelled millions of Americans into dire poverty, Porter was riding high. This gnomish but unfailingly dapper artist swept his anxious countrymen into an escapist world of elegance and charm--much like the glittering circles he frequented.

Cobbled together by a canny producer named George Freedley, "Anything Goes" was conceived as a fluffy antidote to gloom.

Initially written by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, the book was eventually overhauled by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (who later co-authored "The Sound of Music").

Its story of comic highjinks aboard a swank ocean liner involved a criminal masquerading as a clergyman, a poor bloke pining for a debutante and that deb's rich-Brit fiance (played at the 5th Avenue by TV favorite Bronson Pinchot). While the plot was clearly a lot of cheerful hooey, Porter's score was quickly embraced as first-class. Rich in the deft wordplay and priceless name-dropping he perfected, it also boasts some of the bittersweet, minor-key ballads Porter also excelled in.

Despite the hard times, audiences flocked to 420 performances of "Anything Goes"--a long Broadway run at that time.

Numerous songs from "Anything Goes" live on. But the entire show did not receive a major revival on Broadway until 1987, when Patti LuPone's fizzy Reno thrilled a new wave of Porter devotees and '30s nostalgists.

As Porter cut a swath through the Great White Way (he composed an amazing seven hit shows during the 1930s), Berlin was savoring his own success on Broadway and Hollywood.

But never did Berlin's rousing melodies and catchy lyrics find a happier outlet than "Annie Get Your Gun," a 1946 blockbuster that ran 1,147 performances.

With a book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields very loosely based on Annie Oakley's rise from backwoods gal to star of Buffalo Bill's Wild West extravaganza, "Annie Get Your Gun" had it all: romance, folksy humor, great songs for Merman to belt to the last row of the balcony, and a streak of Americana right up Berlin's alley.

By today's measures, "Annie" is far from politically correct. And the revival coming to the 5th Avenue has been retooled. Derogatory references to Native Americans are gone. And this Annie (originated on Broadway by Bernadette Peters) is a rough-hewn feminist. She may sing, "You can't get a man with a gun," but she doesn't deliberately lose a shooting contest to win Frank's love.

In 1937, Porter was tragically crippled in a riding accident. But in the midst of enduring physical pain, he went on to compose more hits, including his 1948 Broadway masterpiece, "Kiss Me, Kate."

And though he never again equalled the triumph of "Annie Get Your Gun," Berlin did turn out another hit for Ethel Merman, 1950's "Call Me Madam."

Though Porter died in 1964, and Berlin in 1989, the artistic legacy of both men is secure.

And both were great enough to openly admire each other.

In fact, Porter paid Berlin a terrific compliment in "You're the Top," that witty ditty from "Anything Goes." In its catalogue of perfection, it includes "a Berlin ballad"--placed right up there with Waldorf salad, Lady Astor and Mickey Mouse.

REVIEW

Theater preview

"Annie Get Your Gun" opens at the Paramount Theatre tomorrow and runs through Dec. 10. $20-$54. 206-292-ARTS.

"Anything Goes" previews at the 5th Avenue Theatre tomorrow and Wednesday, opens Thursday, and runs through Dec. 17. $17-$59. 206-292-ARTS.