The acclaimed Oregon Shakespeare Festival Production of the American Musical Theater Classic “Guys & Dolls,” directed by Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman, continues through December 20 in the Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.
One of the most popular shows from the Golden Age of Broadway Musicals, based on a story and characters by Damon Runyon, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, the family-friendly show features what are now some of the most iconic characters in theater history: dashing gambler Sky Masterson (handsome and sexy Jeremy Peter Johnson), Salvation Army missionary Sarah Brown (spectacular soprano Kate Hurster), crap game organizer Nathan Detroit (Rodney Gardiner) and his long-suffering fiancée Miss Adelaide (Robin Goodrin Nordli).
And perhaps the score is even more famous, with popular hits including “Luck Be a Lady”, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”
Blessed with a supporting cast just as interesting and talented as the four major characters, Daniel T. Parker brings his dynamic, comedic singing skills to Nicely-Nicely Johnson, with crap game hoods Harry the Horse (Tony DeBruno), Big Jule (Richard Elmore), Angie the Ox (Al Espinosa), and Benny Southstreet (David Kelly), singing and dancing their way through marvelous ensemble numbers, perfectly coordinated and choreographed Daniel Pelzig.
Hot Box Girls (Alyssa Birrer, Kristin Glaeser, Briawna Jackson, and Britney Simpson) flash their assets in “A Bushel and a Peck” and “Take Back Your Mink” and then manage to quick change into well-dressed women on the streets of New York or members of the Save-Your-Soul Missionary staff led by K.T. Vogt as General Matilda B. Cartwright.
The travelling company manages to create all the various scenes needed on a minimalist set, with the only large set piece being the entrance wall to the mission which is frequently wheeled on and offstage by cast members.
Rotating the large set piece adds depth and dimension to the set, allowing us to literally experience the mission from all four sides. The back set wall contains many hidden ”windows” which open to reveal Miss Adelaide sitting at her dressing table, the palm trees of Havana, or various and sundry men in various and sundry states of undress.
One window is used as an entrance to the underground sewers where Nathan’s crap game comes to fruition, allowing the actors to actually climb down into it.
The production moves at a quick pace, keeping the action attention-getting throughout. And of course there are all those wonderful songs performed to perfection.
“Guys & Dolls” tickets range from $29 – $110 and are available at www.thewallis.org, by calling 310-746-4000, or in person at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Services located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills.
