Cabrillo Stage dazzles with exuberant production of 'Guys and Dolls'
Author: Ann Bennett
The summer theater season has officially arrived, as it always does, with the opening of the Cabrillo Stage summer musical. This year, Cabrillo Stage celebrates its 25th anniversary season — and does it with an exuberant, spectacular production of one of Broadway's splashiest classics, "Guys and Dolls."
The show, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, based on stories by Damon Runyon, premiered in 1950 and immediately became an audience favorite.
Featuring an assortment of lovable characters, irresistible music and a plot line that weaves together some unlikely romances in a setting of underworld gamblers and speakeasies, all enhanced by the clever and familiar lyrics and flamboyant dance numbers, "Guys and Dolls" is Broadway — and Cabrillo Stage — at its very best.
Directed and choreographed by Janie Scott, the musical easily reinforces Cabrillo Stage's reputation for superb entertainment and professional-quality shows that — amazingly — seem to get bigger and better every year.
With musical direction by Jon Nordgren — whose splendid full orchestra opens the production with a blast — and set design by Skip Epperson that combines brilliant art deco with clever optical illusion, the mood is set from the start: This is an evening of extraordinary spectacle both visually and audibly.
The large cast is outstanding and tireless. Everybody sings and dances perfectly; they all master the unique dialogue that gives the show much of its charm, and they all seem to be having more darn fun than even the audience — which is saying a lot.
Hilary Little is the star of the show; her Adelaide is beyond description. It's a role that requires a fine blend of innocence and quirkiness, and Little sparkles with vitality every moment she's on the stage. David Curley plays Nathan Detroit, her long-time fiancé and reluctant groom, with frantic desperation as he attempts to set up a location for the "oldest established, permanent floating crap game of New York" while simultaneously fending off Adelaide's effort to lead him to the altar. A fantastic twosome, they provide great music and wonderful comedy together.
Adrian Valente is totally cool as the insouciant Sky Masterson, a gambler with elegant taste and unparalleled bravado who is at his best when the stakes are highest. Danielle Crook plays Sarah, the Salvation Army doll who wins him over against all odds, with real class.
Audience favorites include Jon-Mark as the incomparable Nicely-Nicely Johnson whose rendition of "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" is one of the show's highlights; Mike Millot as barely literate Big Jule; Patrick Klein as Lt. Brannigan; and Steven Walton-Hadlock with a gently lyrical "More I Cannot Wish You."
The full company of guys and dolls offers up a spectacular program of great musical selections that range from the romantic to the outrageous, beginning with the familiar "Fugue for Tinhorns" and ending with "Guys and Dolls." Adelaide and the Hot Box Dolls prance happily through "Take Back Your Mink"; Sky and Sarah delight with "I've Never Been in Love Before"; and the gamblers are stunning in "Luck Be A Lady" and the wonderfully choreographed "Crapshooters' Ballet."
Costumes by Thomas Marquez are colorful and whimsical, a perfect match for the story and the setting; together the set and costumes contribute overwhelmingly to the glitz and glitter of the evening.
"Guys and Dolls" is definitely the best show in town. You don't have to be a gambler to take that bet. Director Janie Scott and Cabrillo Stage have brought together a fantastic cast for a great show of wonderful music and spectacular visual treats, all presented with great enthusiasm and energy.
Don't wait to order tickets, this show will sell out fast.
Related link (will popup in a new window):
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/J...
