Are you in search of a captivating classic that perfectly blends comedy, romance, and suspense? Are you ready to tap your feet to catchy tunes and immerse yourself in the fast-paced world of 20th-century Manhattan? Well, you’re in luck—Guys and Dolls is the latest installment in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s season. This beloved musical, originally based on short stories and characters created in the 1920s and 30s by Damon Runyon, has enjoyed multiple Broadway and West End revivals since its initial debut in 1950 and 1953 respectively, as well as an award-winning 1955 film adaptation. With a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and under the expert direction of Al Blackstone, the show tells two overlapping love stories.
The first is that of Nathan Detroit (Barrett Riggins), a gambler who’s on the search for a location to host his famous floating craps game, and his longtime fiancée, Hot Box Club headliner Miss Adelaide (Mallory Newbrough), who’s also on her own quest—to finally convince Nathan to marry her, after a 14-year-long engagement. The second follows high-roller Sky Masterson (Dan De Luca) and mission worker Sarah Brown (Haile Ferrier), who fall for each other despite their differences—and despite the fact that Sky initially connected with Sarah due to a bet. Packed with high-stakes thrills and swoon-worthy romance, Guys and Dolls will have you on the edge of your seat and sweep you off your feet in no time.
When thinking of standout performances, it’s impossible to choose, as every cast member was superb. The four leads, our titular “guys and dolls,” all shone in their roles—Riggins as the scheming yet good-hearted Nathan, Newbrough as the outspoken, vibrant Adelaide, De Luca as the charming, suave Sky, and Ferrier as the idealistic, intelligent Sarah. Each of their performances dazzled me from start to finish! I particularly enjoyed Newbrough’s take on the famous “Adelaide’s Lament,” where she balances humor with vulnerability as she expresses her underlying resentment over Nathan’s refusal to commit to her, and De Luca and Ferrier’s “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” which showcased their characters’ undeniable chemistry.
Other highlights included Kyle Taylor Parker as Nicely Nicely Johnson, whose rendition of “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” had the entire audience wanting to sing along, and Jen Cody (who voiced the iconic Charlotte LaBouff in the hit Disney film The Princess and the Frog) as Big Julie, who made everyone laugh throughout. The show also makes great use of its ensemble cast, especially in fun numbers like “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Luck Be a Lady,” “Take Back Your Mink,” and “The Crapshooters’ Ballet,” all choreographed by Blackstone. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the stage at any moment!
Of course, that effect is also due to the work of Scenic and Video Designers Adam Koch and Steve Royal, and Lighting Designer Dalton Hamilton, who have made the sets and lighting eye-catching and atmospheric, whether the characters are walking among the New York City skyline or the palm-tree-lined streets of Havana. I also appreciated the strong attention to detail throughout, with the scenic design always feeling perfectly tailored to the time period. You’ll spot automats, clothing stores, and even marquees advertising popular, period-typical productions like Ziegfeld Follies and Porgy and Bess. The stage feels reminiscent of a Technicolor film throughout, particularly during the scenes set at The Hot Box Club, with the wealth of bright colors and flashy costumes (the latter of which are designed by Johanna Pan).
Something else I love about Guys and Dolls is its music. With the help of Music Director Eric Alsford (who also serves as the orchestra’s conductor) and Sound Designer Scott Stauffer, the production’s beloved songs are brought to life. Many of these tracks, including several of the aforementioned songs, as well as other hits like “If I Were a Bell” and “My Time of Day,” are so popular that they have earned the status of jazz standards. While the music of Guys and Dolls is typical of a classic Broadway musical, you may not hear these types of songs in many shows today, and it is truly something special to behold. Overall, this production fully embodied the glitz and glamour of those Golden Age musicals I’ve loved for as long as I can remember!
