BWW Reviews: A WONDROUS TALE Of GUYS AND THEIR DOLLS

Many productions on stage these days are revivals of what are considered the much-revered "classics" of musical theater; their stories are so well known and ingrained in our memories as productions that cannot be duplicated in modernity. Avid theater-goers young and old can understand the appeal of these shows, as not only do they have wonderfully epic plots and music to which you may sing to your heart's content, each production brings something unique and unprecedented to an audience that may or may not be familiar with a particular show. There is so much diversity that can be had with each group that decides to take on the recreation of a project probably overdone and jaded, to an extent, and with this creative vision in mind does Cape Cod's very own Chatham Drama Guild bring a wallop of a spark to its production of Guys and Dolls: a show to which it brings a new degree of life with an immensely talented, fun cast that will give people a very good reason to go and see this classic about wayward guys and their dolls - this time in a profoundly new and exciting light. As is said in the show, I definitely bet you all "8 to 5 that you'll be very happy" with what is seen on this stage.

The Chatham Drama Guild, established eighty-four years ago and boasting one of the only truly volunteer managed community theater groups on the Cape, continues its summer season with Guys and Dolls, the well-known tale of gamblers-by-trade Nathan Detroit, Sky Masterson and their "dolls" in the midst of Detroit's permanent floating crap game - all in the heart of 1950's New York City. The Directed by Pam Banas and musically directed by Charlie Gregson, Guild has succeeded in bringing to a Cape Cod audience a very heartfelt, genuine production of this classic musical which does well as well to capture the psychological and emotion angst of the characters as it does the tender and hopeful nature of those same individuals in the midst of falling in love - that is, in love with something other than their chance-based lives.

As many of you know, Guys and Dolls (music/lyrics by Frank Loesser and based on the story by Damon Runyon) tells the story of Detroit's astuteness in finding a venue for his crap game - a game that is attracting some of the most infamous drudges of society that will ever walk in on a card game. He does not have the necessary funds to secure a venue, nor does he have enough money to buy his fiancé of fourteen years an anniversary present, so he makes a bet with Sky Masterson, a gambler who is known for his crazy, untoward bets that have succeeded in giving him a bit of a reputation amongst his fellow gamblers. Detroit bets against Masterson that the latter will not be able to take Sister Sarah (the head missionary at the Save-A-Soul Mission, located at 409 W. 49th Street) to Havana with him - a trip on which he would have otherwise embarked alone. Masterson accepts the bet for a thousand dollars (enough for Detroit to host his crap game at the Biltmore garage), and Detroit is almost certain that he has the bet won; he believes there is very little chance that Masterson can persuade her to accompany him. What he doesn't anticipate is a "mission doll" falling in love with a gambler, but this is indeed what happens.

What is so wonderful about this musical is not only how simple and lighthearted it is in its nature, but also about this simplicity of heart with which each character lives is a true lesson to the reality the audience leaves behind when the curtain opens and the show commences. It is about reevaluating the meaning of the "unexpected" in the lives of gamblers whose entire livelihood is based on chance - on not knowing what is next to come. What Guys and Dolls emphasizes in a very casual yet highly entertaining way is that people will be who they are regardless of what may happen to them in this giant crap game called life, but to anticipate what will come and that which is "supposed" to happen is hardly a part of the spontaneity of it all; what chaos or love ensues as a result of finding this out is what gives this musical the drama and "umph" that audiences will so enjoy - especially the Drama Guild's rendition of it. Just witnessing how the actors take each new obstacle in stride and make this production so riveting and honestly addicting to watch is something that should be experienced by all who happen to be in the Chatham area for the next few weeks.

To indeed say something about the actors and creative team, this show wouldn't be the hit it is without the hard word, dedication and, of course, wonderful talent of all those involved. Geof Newton (Detroit) is a very convincing New York gambler who does very well to look both utterly confused and extremely hopeful when things seem to be going his way but alas, are then not. He is a wonderful actor who captivates the audience's attention with his dire need to find a venue for his crap game, but must also make his way around his fiancé Adelaide's continuous plea to get married. Beau Jackett as Sky Masterson is equally as wonderful. He does really well to embody Marlon Brando's character while giving Masterson a flair that Jackett seems so great at exuding; his character is both charming yet so conflicted when faced with the unfamiliarity of falling in love, and watching him navigate his way through the gambler's life he knows so well and unprecedented feelings of love is such a pleasure. Thom Dutton, Jim Davidson and Scott Hamilton as Nicely Nicely Johnson, Benny Southstreet and Harry the Horse (from Brooklyn) are just awesome, always giving Detroit a reason to be nervous about something or other...and can you just go and hear them sing the opening number?!

Julie Bray and Rebecca Banas as Sarah Brown and Miss Adelaide not only complement the talent of the men in this show (as the title Guys and Dolls would seem to imply), but they are stars themselves. Bray, aside from having a very impressive voice range and reaching those notes in her beautiful soprano, plays Sister Sarah as someone who cannot possibly fall in love with a gambler, as she sternly states in the prelude to her song about her version of the "perfect guy." How she winds up doing just that is an adventure in itself, and her transition from mission doll to a woman who is capable of allowing someone else to take the lead -to a woman transfixed by the idea of taking a leap of faith herself instead of merely preaching her understanding of it - is really awesome. Banas as Adelaide is also really something. Not only does she sound and look the part, she really did a lot of work to become the part. It isn't easy for person or character alike to maintain the same optimism and remain hopeful that the guy you've been in love with for so long will one day opt to marry you, so kudos to her not only for singing about her troubles really well, but also for finding her character's way through them with a smile and a witty sense of humor.

Eric Spitz as Abernathy, Regina Lee Collins as Agatha, Dawn Spitz as Martha, Mike Guzowski/Peter Twombly as Lieutenant Brannigan, Luis Smith as Liver Lips Luis, Ellen Birmingham as Allison (Hot Box), Mary Stacey-Smith as General Cartwright, Jeff Spencer as Big Jule and Matthew Hamilton as the Emcee/Society Max all deserve mention as being a part of this wonderful show; each person was given a name, and each truly lived up to it. Maestro Charlie Gregson on the piano also deserves a special shoutout for his wonderful music direction.

It must also be mentioned that all involved with this production, from the actors to the creative team and Charlie on the piano, are not only brought together by the production, but by the camaraderie they share while off the stage as well. To quote Director Pam Banas, Guys & Dolls is a show about relationships both on and off stage, and Chatham Drama Guild's production continues to meld like a family.

'Tis true.

In closing, the Chatham Drama Guild's production of Guys and Dolls is a wonderful way to spend any evening. The show is charming, the acting is superb, and the production itself is one Banas should be very proud of. So, if you happen to be in or around Chatham, you take a chance not seeing this show.

Guys and Dolls at the Chatham Drama Guild, located at 134 Crowell Road in Chatham, MA, began performances on July 28th and will continue thru August 16th. The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday-Thursday @ 8 PM, Saturday-Sunday @ 8 P M; there are no performances on Mondays and Fridays. General admission is $24 ($18 for students), and tickets may be purchased by visiting the theater or by calling the box office at (508).945.0510. A cash bar is available.

Enjoy the show!

Photo Credit: Don Howell

*Writer has personal involvement with the show

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