'Guys & Dolls' coming to Gundlach

The  School of Music & Theatre will stage the musical romantic comedy Guys & Dolls Oct. 13-16 in Gundlach Theatre.

Guys & Dolls, which premiered in the mid-'50s, is based on a story and characters by Damon Runyon with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and the book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. The plot revolves around two unlikely pairings: a high-rolling gambler and a wholesome missionary and a showgirl dreaming of setting her life straight and a crap game manager who is a less than stellar example for her. Set in Manhattan, the story tells of gambler Nathan Detroit’s effort to find a new location for his notorious crap game despite being nearly broke. Nathan gets involved in a high-stakes bet with fellow gambler Sky Masterson that leads to a surprise romance, proving the lengths “guys” will go for their “dolls.”

The production features some of Loesser’s most memorable numbers, such as “Adelaide’s Lament,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “If I Were a Bell” and the classic “Luck Be a Lady.”

The cast for Guys & Dolls is as follows: Nicely-Nicely Johnson, played by sophomore Gavin Hubbard; Benny Southwest/Joey Biltmore, played by freshman Cameron Lyons; Sarah Brown, played by senior Kristina Kamm; Agatha, played by junior Krysten Lilly; Harry the Horse, played by sophomore Connor Applegate; Nathan Detroit, played by sophomore Sam Stohlman; crap shooter/waiter, played by junior Kai Kehrer; crap shooter/drunk, played by senior Tyler Majoy; Angie the Ox, played by junior Joe Boehler; Miss Adelaide, played by senior Erikka Breidenbach; Sky Masterson, played by senior Teddy Berger; Big Jule, played by sophomore Will Sweeney; and Mimi, played by freshman Emma Ramsdell.

Comprising the Mission Band are Krysten Lilly, freshman Laura Simonski, junior Demetra Williamson and freshman Kaitlynn Esquibel. Hot Box Dancers are senior Dorothy Faris, junior Allie Healy, sophomores Madison Swyers and Preyuana Bryant and Emma Ramsdell.

The cast also includes ‘Berg faculty member Amy Berger as General Matilda B. Cartwright and staff member Brady Gibson as a crap shooter, as well as community performers David Cotter as Rusty Charlie, Jeff Cook as Arvide Abernathy and Christopher Harben as Lt. Brannigan.

Vicki McClurkin is directing the production. Greg Ramsdell is the musical director and Pam Shirtz is the choreographer.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 13-15, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Tickets are free for 'Berg students, $4 for senior citizens and youth under 18 and $5 for adults over 18. Call Pat Page in the School of Music & Theatre at x2073 to reserve your tickets.