The story of Guys and Dolls is based on Damon Runyons short story, The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown, in which a gambler falls in love with a Salvation Army worker. Like a lot of other stories, the main characters may fall in love with one another, but it is the supporting characters that grab the audience.The story has been made into a well beloved movie classic that is really all I have to compare it to.
This production was Directed by Toby Yatso with Music Director Miles Plant.
The Venue was nice, if not over crowded due to multiple events, but luckily the staff was polite and helpful. The bathroom was pretty much taken straight out of my nightmares. Ugh *shiver* Anyway. Inside the Theatre nice with steep stadium seating for optimal viewing. The seats were comfortable and the numbering was only slightly confusing at first.
What I Loved:
Sets were a clever use of a small stage and the transitions were pretty quick and smooth. A great use of a some what smaller stage by Alfredo Escarcega.
The leads in this show were Good.
Sky Masterson was portrayed by Lane Northcutt who was oddly close to Marlon Brando's take on the character. He had a nice clean voice and cocky charm, perfect for Sky.
Sarah Brown played by, Kristen Bell look a like, Sarah Sanderson. She was cute little soloist with a voice in the rafters. Her high notes were a little shrill for my taste and didn't seem mix well with other singers, namely her duet with Sky (Northcutt) who had a smooth mellow sound. However her duet with Miss Adelaide by Bryn Lewallen for their ending song Marry the Man Today, was a much better match. Her solo If I were a Bell was awesome.
Nathan Detroit played by Adam Sowards was portrayed way more comical and goofy than his Frank Senatra's counterpart. But, his spastic take on the character was still likable and engaging.
All I can say about the song More I Cannot Wish You by Arvide (Micheal Devery) is; Wow. With a very simple concept of Sarah sitting on a step and Uncle Arvide singing directly to her without much movement, it was beautiful and touching. Not gonna lie, I kinda loved his voice.
The trio of the song Guys and Dolls was just a duet for Nicely Nicely Johnson and Benny Southstreet with Nicely (Drake Sherman) singing Nathan's parts and doing a freakin' good job of it.
Speaking of Drake Sherman as Nicely Nicely, his song Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat in the second act was a stand out number. While it strayed from the movie version I'm used to, with a solo part by General Cartwright (Nellie Shuford,) it was powerfully entertaining and so much fun! Drake comedic understanding is a joy to watch.
What I Didn't Love:
The big dance numbers weren't great. Some soloist stood out but, really the girls were just never in sync and their facial expressions were unsure and uncomfortable most of the time. There were a few male stand out dancers like Ben Massouras and John Batches (who danced well despite a loose suspender.)
The use of a female actor as Big Jule (Erin Kong) was bold and progressive, and I liked the irony of have a girl shorter than the rest of the cast play a big man, but I don't think it added anything.
Over All
The show was fun, no one can argue that. and through there were a few kinks it was still such a great production.
I was laughing and smiling and rooting for the characters! Over all it was a great night out.
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