“Guys & Dolls”

*** Classical musical comedy. That is what one would have to call “Guys & Dolls”, a Musical Fable of Broadway, written by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and based on the characters of Damon Runyon. The music and lyrics are by Frank Loesser who gave us  songs that  are well known, like “Luck Be A Lady” and “If I Were A Bell”, Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and the title song, “Guys & Dolls”. The story is about gamblers, sinners and the dark side of the big city known as New York. Damon Runyon wrote about these people and Burrows and Swerling converted the characters with names like Angie the Ox, Harry the Horse , Rusty Charlie and many more into loveable characters. The songs that define this show were in reality written for something else, but as the story evolved, these seemed to fit.

While this play is beginning to show its age, the current production at Drury Lane in Oakbrook under the direction and choreography of Dan Knechtges is fun to watch and his cast brings lights where the scrip has dimmed. There are a couple of standout performances that show the reality of the line in “The Fantastiks” that there are  no small parts. Heidi Kettenring, playing General cartwright, the leader of the Save-a-Soul Mission is amazing. Her two scenes are worth coming to see, just to see what she can do with any role. Another member of the Mission, Brother Arvide is played to perfection by Chicago legend Gene Weygandt, again showing that he can play any role written.

The story, for those new to the classic is about the streets of Broadway. Nathan Detroit (Jackson Evans) is a gambler who runs a floating crap game ( that means it has no hone, and finds a new spot every time), taking his share of every pot. His fiancée , Miss Adelaide ( Alanna Lovely nailed this role) is a performer in a little club called The Hot Box. They have bene engaged for 14 years. He has promised ot give up the game and go straight.

The Mission people are charged with cleaning up the streets of New York and Miss Sarah Brown ( deftly handled by Erica Stephan) is charged with getting the job done, but is very unsuccessful. Sky Masterson( Pepe Nufrio) comes to town and Nathan, needing a bankroll to get his game going places a bet with Sky. $1,000 if he can take Miss Sarah Brown on his trip to Cuba. There is some great choreography in this segment . Sky and Sarah fall for each other, and Sky promises to bring 12 or more sinners to a meeting to save the mission and Sarah’s job.

There is a crap game in the sewer ( with the “Luck Be a Lady” song and a marvelous dance sequence), Sky wins, they go to the meeting where Nicely-Nicely Johnson (an amazing performance by Nkrumah Gatling) does “Sit Down, Your’e Rockin the Boat” ( a show stopper). and  in the end, they all live happily every after. It is quick and easy to end this story and that is how things were back in the day.

This is a strong ensemble with dynamite dancers and some people who truly get the characters. KC McNeil, Christopher Liewn Ramirez, Jordan Anthony Arredondo and Karl Hamilton as Lt. Branigan, the thorn in Nathans side, as well as Mack Alexander, Jenessa Altvater, Anna Louise Bramlett, Leah Casey, Mandy Modic, Spencer Davis Milford, Tim Foszcz, Austin Nelson Jr., Justin Payton Nelson, Martin Ortiz Tapia, Alexandra Palkovic, Brian Selcik, Maxel McCloud Schingen and Fred Zimmerman. Great work.

The Drury Lane Orchestra led by Chris Sargent handled the music and Leon Dobkowski’s costumes were colorful and added tot he picture presented to the audience. The set by Angela Weber Miller was on target and the lighting (Lee Fiskness) and sund (Ray Nardelli) worked right. Cassy Schillo is always right on with the props, and as one who attend all Drury Lane productions it was nice to see the return of props.

As I said, this is a show that is starting to show its age, but in spite of that, this production is one that you will enjoy from star to finish and will see musical theater as it was back in my day. This is a show that I have been a part of many times. The first production was summer of 1960 at Music Theater in Highland Park. Later, several other productions playing many different roles until I did play Nathan. This is a play that shows us what musical theater is all about and Drury Lane’s production is one worth seeing.

“Guys & Dolls” will continue thru June 9th with performances as follows: