Guys and Dolls - 2008
The wonderful musical Guys and Dolls closes out the Racine Theatre Guild’s 70th season, with great characters, top-notch music, lots of humor, and a double love story. Sometimes called “the perfect musical comedy,” Guys and Dolls gives us the unlikely romance between an innocent and sincere lady missionary and a streetwise gambler. The show opens May 16 and runs four weekends through June 8.
Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows wrote the book, based on characters from a short story by Damon Runyon. Frank Loesser wrote the music and lyrics. Guys and Dolls opened on Broadway in 1950 and ran for 1,200 performances, winning eight Tony Awards and the New York Drama Circle Award. A 1992 revival ran almost as long as the original, with Peter Gallagher, Nathan Lane and Faith Prince in the cast. The film version, starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine, had the highest box-office gross of 1955.
So what makes Guys and Dolls so popular? It has a great setting (Times Square in New York in the 1940s), lovable characters (big-hearted gangsters and wise-cracking dames), a simple plot (a bet that a gambler can’t get a lady missionary to fly to Havana with him), and terrific music (Luck Be a Lady; Adelaide’s Lament; Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat; Fugue for Tinhorns; If I Were A Bell and many more).
The story of Guys and Dolls revolves around Nathan Detroit, who is trying to find a location for “the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York.” He needs to come up with $1000 to pay for his next location, and he figures he can get the amount from a bet with Sky Masterson. Nathan bets Sky, who claims to be quite the ladies’ man, that he can’t make a girl he names fly to Cuba with him. Sky takes the bet, and Nathan names Sarah Brown, of the Save-a-Soul Mission. Sky then tries to woo the missionary lady, whose goal in life is to reform the gamblers.
While Sky pursues Sarah, Adelaide pursues Nathan. She and Nathan have been engaged for 14 years, and she is determined to get Nathan to the altar once and for all. She is convinced that she has chronic sniffles because of Nathan’s lack of commitment.
Other characters show up for the floating crap game, including Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Benny Southwest, Harry the Horse, and Big Jule from Chicago. The crap shooters are constantly pursued by the diligent but frustrated Lieutenant Brannigan. Helping Sarah out at the mission is the loyal Arvide Abernathy, and General Cartwright, who is going to close the mission unless she sees some results.
Critics praised the original 1950 Guys and Dolls. John Chapman wrote, “Guys and Dolls is swift, crisp and precise, with not a lagging instant. The book is a work of easy and delightful humor. Its music and lyrics are so right for the show and so completely lacking in banality, that they amount to an artistic triumph.”
John McClain wrote, “It is a triumph and a delight. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest ticket broker.”
And the sometimes crusty Clive Barnes wrote of the 1992 revival, “My favorite Broadway musical is Guys and Dolls. So sue me! My heart sings, my soul roars, and I feel tingly good all over. Baby, I’m a bell, and I’m ringing.”
Call soon to reserve tickets at the box office for Guys and Dolls. The show runs 15 performances, from Friday, May 16, through Sunday, June 8. For information or to reserve tickets, call the Racine Theatre Guild Box Office at 633-4218. We promise you’ll love this brash classic musical, and if you don’t – well, sue me!
From the Managing/Artistic Director - Doug Instenes
A Show That’s a Sure Bet
Guys and Dolls is the final show of our 70th season, and this classic musical has been delighting audiences for almost 60 years. It has held up well, still touching people, as seen by the hugely successful 1992 Broadway revival. With a great story; wonderful, singable songs; and characters you’ll remember, the show is sure to be a hit.
The love story of the gambler and the missionary – it’s fun, upbeat, and filled with humor. We have been having a lot of fun putting this show together, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do.
We are also looking ahead to a super lineup of shows for Season 71. Please join us as season ticket holders so you’ll have your reserved seat for every show of a great season: three musicals and five comedies – you can’t go wrong. Or, buy a Flex Pass, now more popular than ever. You can customize your season by selecting just the shows you want to see, and still pay bargain prices over single tickets.
This year, as we close off Season 70, we’d like to thank Kurt Oian for his six years of hard work as our technical director. He leaves us to go back to his hometown in Texas, and we’ll think of him fondly every time we have a blizzard next winter. We send him best wishes for success in his future: “Break a leg!”
So come on down to the RTG for Guys and Dolls and join us for a terrific Season 71. We think that the Racine Theatre Guild is a good bet as one of the best places in the country to see quality community theatre. Take a gamble on live stage entertainment, and we’re sure you’ll come out a winner!
GUYS AND DOLLS
Based on a story and characters by Damon Runyon
Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling & Abe Burrows
CAST
Sarah .............................. Jennifer Kiel
Sky ................................. Matt Specht
Adelaide ........................ Teri Wilson
Nathan Detroit ............... David Geisler
Nicely-Nicely ................ Joe Vignieri
Benny Southwest .......... Bob Hansen
Rusty Charlie ................ Zak Keil
Lt. Brannigan ................ Jay Rattle
Arvide Abernathy ......... Russ Stetler
General Cartwright …...Anne Mollerskov
Mission Band ............... Ellie Hammond, Amber Lamers, Mike Pirtle, Kevin Sustachek, Eric Welch, Samantha Sustachek
Harry The Horse .......... Gary Stamm
Big Jule ......................... Clay Johnson
Joe Biltmore/Drunk ...... Mike Shelby
Gamblers ……………. Eric Welch, Mike Pirtle, Ryan Clark, Kevin Sustachek, Stephen Kalmar II, Mike Shelby
Hot Box Dancers .......... Mary Kveton, Dana Roders, Jennifer Worman, Kristen Zancanaro
CREW
Director ........................ Doug Instenes
Music Director ............. Greg Berg
Choreographer .............. Kate Zavada
Scenic Design ............... Charles Erven
Technical Director ........ Kurt Oian
Production Stage Mgr. .. Kathy Berg
Stage Manager .............. Eric Guttenberg
ASM’s .......................... Ron Halvorsen, Katie Kowbel
Light Design ................ Brian Schalk
Light Technician .......... Marc Barbeau
Sound Design ............... Eric Goodwin
Sound Technicians …... Kevin Edmonston & Heather Bumstead
Costume Design ........... Sharon Molina
Wardrobe Supervisor ... Kelli Kauzlarich
Props Master ................ Spencer Carlson
Makeup ........................ Jeanne Christensen
Flyers ………………... Phil Paulsen, Jeff Kauzlarich