This past weekend, the well-loved musical
”
Guys and Dolls
”
made its way to the Sobrato stage. Set in New York,
”
Guys and Dolls
”
is ultimately a comedy about relationships.
This past weekend, the well-loved musical “Guys and Dolls” made its way to the Sobrato stage. Set in New York, “Guys and Dolls” is ultimately a comedy about relationships. A gambler named Nathan Detroit has been engaged to his “doll” Adelaide for 14 years. Although he has promised her that he would stop holding crap games, the play opens with him frantically trying to find a location for his next one. However, it seems that no one in New York is willing to take the risk of hosting one of Detroit’s infamous crap games without some sort of reward.
He finally finds a location – but for a price. The owner is asking for $1,000 in cash in order to host the game in his garage. Detroit begs him to accept his marker, a sort of “I owe you,” but to no avail. In waltzes Sky Masterson, a well-known and respected gambler in New York. Detroit hopes to make a bet with Masterson that will guarantee him the $1,000 he needs for his crap game. As Masterson brags that he could take any doll he wanted to Cuba if he so desired, a light bulb turns on in Detroit’s head. “Would you bet on it?” he asks. Masterson replies that he would, and Detroit names Sarah Brown, a missionary dedicated to ridding New York of all its sinners. As the rest of the play unfolds, the audience finds the unlikely couple of Sky and Sarah falling in love, and Detroit’s fiancee Adelaide trying to convince him to tie the knot while he continues to try to salvage his crap game.
Sobrato’s production of “Guys and Dolls” was well received, performing to a full house on both Friday and Saturday. Emma Northcott, who played Sarah Brown, and Andrew Boyd, who played Sky Masterson, are seniors at Sobrato and members of the International Thespian Society, Troupe 6847. Both actors emulated their character’s personalities to a tee. They played off each other well and made the audience eager to see the next scene.
Ryan Clare and Nika Burnett played Nathan Detroit and Adelaide, respectively. Clare is also a member of the same troupe and played a convincing Detroit, torn between his affection for Adelaide and his crap game. Clare and Burnett’s duet, “Sue Me,” was equally effective and showcased both actors’ talents. Burnett was fabulous as Adelaide. She had a strong voice that reverberated through the theater and washed over the audience.
Of course, there were myriad other actors and actresses who all contributed to the production. Spencer Green was hilariously convincing as the bully “Big Jule,” and Adrianna McCain was perfect as Sarah Brown’s close friend. But even the students who were not on the stage deserve to be in the spotlight. Stage manager Alexis Whitaker oversaw the creation of all set designs. Senior Geoffrey Elliot stood by Director Sheila Sanchez’s side as Assistant Director. Along with the members of the technical crew, Technical Director Cavan Howay made sure the performance ran smoothly. And last but not least, Music Director Mr. Kalish and the Sobrato band supported the production in the orchestra pit.
Last year, as Director Sheila Sanchez noted, “the lights were off on Sobrato’s stage.” But she continues on to say that they, “are thrilled to have brought life back to our theater.” And after the performances of “The Brother’s Grimm Spectaculathon” and “Guys and Dolls,” Sobrato is thrilled too.
Sabrina Werts is a junior at Ann Sobrato High School. In addition to writing, she enjoys piano and dance.
