Odds-on favorite
Sonoma Arts Live brings one of Broadway’s best-bet hits, Guy and Dolls, a Tony Award winner for Best Musical, to Andrews Hall for a three-week run opening July 14.
It’s a story of two slick Manhattan gamblers circa 1950, one looking for a new home for his illegal crap game, and the other trying, on a bet, to woo a straight-laced missionary. Both, of course, fall in love; much singing and dancing ensues.
To summarize, it’s a musical with a number called, “The Crapshooter’s Dance”.
The romantic comedy was the Best Musical of 1950, and scored five more Tony Awards in a 1992 revival. The film, with Brando and Sinatra, was also a big hit.
The local production is directed by Larry Williams, a veteran taking his first crack at this particular show. “As I read the script and listened to the music it began to grow on me,” he said. “I started to see the relationships between the characters and how they are just as recognizable now as they were when they were first written”.
With every big well-known musical there are always expectations, he said. “Sometimes you want to alter things, or modernize things to make it more relevant to the times that we live in. This show does not necessitate changes. The music and book are wonderful as is.”
Williams said the rehearsal process was particularly collaborative. “Everyone seems to chip in their own ideas and we grow together as a group. I’m always surprised by what actors come up with on their own. It’s a delight to watch them create and grow into the roles.”
Frank Loesser wrote all the memorable tunes, including “Adelaide’s Lament,” “If I Were a Bell,” and the classic “Luck Be a Lady.” There’s lots of big numbers and ensemble pieces, so a big concern was blocking the physical space.
“This is one of the biggest casts if not the biggest to appear on the Sonoma Arts Live stage,” he said. “Although the theater space is lovely, it has its size limitations. Trying to figure out where everyone fits and how to get off and on during crowd scenes was one of the biggest challenges.
“The music, the dancing, the comedy…to me this show has it all, and I can’t wait to share it with our patrons,” says Artistic Director Jaime Love. “It truly is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and a song in your heart… a perfect summertime show. I’ve wanted to do this show for a very long time, and I’m excited to have one of SAL’s favorite directors, Larry Williams (Merman’s Apprentice, The 39 Steps), on board to bring it to life.”
Music direction is by Sherrill Peterson, with choreography by Liz Andrews.
Maeve and Andrew Smith star as Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown. Jenny Velieux is Adelaide, and Skyler King makes his first appearance on the SAL Stage as Nathan Detroit. Owen Hardisty plays Gangster Benny Southstreet, Jonathen Blue plays Nicely Nicely, and Scott Slagle is Harry The Horse. Rounding out the cast in multiple roles are Emma Sutherland, Chelsea Smith, Hannah Passanisi, HarriettePearl Fugitt, Kaela Mariano, Ron Lam, Tyler Ono, Rick Love, Dan Monez, John Gibbons, Reina Gibbs, Sue Martin and Jaime Weiser Love.
Guys and Dolls. July 14 – 30. Sonoma Community Center, Andrews Hall on the Rotary Stage, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday Matinee at 2 pm. Sonomaartslive.org.
Photos: Oberlin Photography
