MARK AUERBACH
E. HADDAM, CT. – Goodspeed Musicals opens its new season with the classic Broadway musical, “Guys and Dolls”. It’s the first Goodspeed production with new executive director Michael Gennaro at the helm (incidentally, his dad, Peter Gennaro danced in the original Broadway production). It’s also a family affair of sorts. Director Don Stephenson, who stages the timeless music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, is Loesser’s son-in-law.
Nancy Anderson as Miss Adelaide and Mark Price as Nathan Detroit
in Goodspeed Musicals’ Guys and Dolls. (Photo by Diane Sobolewski)
Before I revel in the joys this “Guys and Dolls” has–a moment of transperancy, I must admit that “Guys and Dolls” has always been one of my favorite musicals. My mom took me to see a production at the old Storrowton Music Fair in West Springfield, and I was enthralled by then unknown Dixie Carter as Adelaide and a chorus girl named Goldie Jean Hawn. When I worked at StageWest, Gregory Boyd staged a fun production with smart choreography by Marcia Milgrim Dodge. (I saw all 32+ performances). Then, there was the Broadway revival with Faith Prince and Nathan Lane. I was there. When the national tour of that rehearsed and opened at The Bushnell in Hartford, this time with Lorna Luft giving a star turn as Adelaide, and half sister Liza Minnelli giving a star turn in the lobby–I was there, too. So, any production of this musical will be compared to my previous outings with Nicely Nicely Johnson, Benny Southstreet, Big Jule, Harry The Horse, Sky Masterson, Sister Sarah Brown, Nathan Detroit, and the Hot Box Girls.
“Sit Down, Sit Down, Sit Down, Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” – Scott Cote and the cast of Goodspeed Musicals’ Guys and Dolls. (Photo by Diane Sobolewski)
The Damon Runyon characters of Times Square, gamblers, gangsters, showgirls, saints and sinners, are as fresh and funny as they were, when “Guys and Dolls” opened to acclaim in 1950. Loesser’s score, now one standard after another, from “I’ve Never Been In Love Before” and “If I Were A Bell” to “Sit Down, You’re Rockin The Boat” are so fresh to the ear.
Dan DeLange’s orchestrations and Michael O’Flaherty’s musical directions give every song and dance number the requisite zip. Alex Sanchez’ dance numbers, particularly the “Havana” sequence, the “Crapshooter Dance” and the subsequent “Luck Be A Lady” are showstoppers all. Thanks to O’Flaherty and Sanchez, when the music kicks in, “Guys and Dolls” is high octane energy.
Stephenson’s concept and direction respect and revere the material. This is not a “Guys and Dolls” that’s been revised, updated, or changed in search of relevance to today’s audiences. It works as is.
Paul Tate dePoo’s scenic design turns the Goodspeed stage into a neon-filled, technicolor Times Square. Tracy Christensen’s costumes and Mark Adam Rampmeyer’s hair and wig design are vintage post-war Manhattan. Stephen Terry’s lighting is right on the mark.
Tony Roach is a suave and masterful Sky Masterson and Manna Nichols is a pleasant Sister Sarah, and when they walk the late night streets of Manhattan singing “My Time of Day” and “I’ve Never Been In Love Before”, I realized just how classic “Guys and Dolls” remains. Mark Price is hilarious as Nathan Detroit, and Scott Cote and Noah Plomgren give the title song zing. Nancy Anderson’s Miss Adelaide was pleasant. The ensemble is great fun.
After the long winter we’ve survived, it’s nice to start the spring theatre season with this delight for the eyes and the ears.
Goodspeed Musicals presents “Guys and Dolls”. Music and lyrics by Frank Goodspeed Musicals presents “Guys and Dolls”. Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. Book by Jo Sweling and Abe Burrows based on the stories and Loesser. Book by Jo Sweling and Abe Burrows based on the stories and characters of Damon Runyon. Directed by Don Stephenson. Choreography by characters of Damon Runyon. Directed by Don Stephenson. Choreography by Alex Sanchez. Musical direction by Michael O’Flaherty. Scenic design by Alex Sanchez. Musical direction by Michael O’Flaherty. Scenic design by Paul Tate dePoo III. Costume design by Tracy Christensen. Lighting design Paul Tate dePoo III. Costume design by Tracy Christensen. Lighting design by Stephen Terry. Orchestrations by Dan DeLange. Through June 20. Goodspeed by Stephen Terry. Orchestrations by Dan DeLange. Through June 20. Goodspeed Opera House, E. Haddam, CT. For tickets: 860-873-8668 or www.goodspeed.org. Opera House, E. Haddam, CT. For tickets: 860-873-8668 or www.goodspeed.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale Schoolof Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
