Players Guild Takes Bold, Unique Initiative With GUYS AND DOLLS

When the Players Guild of Leonia launches its three-week production on October 6th of "Guys and Dolls"-described by New York Theater critics as "the perfect musical comedy"-it will do something extremely rare for a community theater group.

Veteran director Vince Parrillo of Woodland Park has double cast three of the lead roles. Whom audiences see and the character interpretations they enjoy will depend on what performance you attend. Jina Choi (Sarah) of Leonia, Marc Leland (Nathan) of Northvale, and Joanne Guarnaccia (Adelaide) of Englewood Cliffs will perform at 8 p.m. on October 6, 7, and 20 and at 3 p.m. on October 8 and 21. Katrina Michalewski (Sarah) of Bloomingdale, Dan Giordano (Nathan) of Palisades Park, and Alison Miller (Adelaide) of Leonia will perform at 8 p.m. on October 13, 14, and 21 and at 3 p.m. on October 15 and 22. All six performers will appear in all ten performances, in featured roles during performances when they do not have the above roles.

Although double casting leads is rather unique for community theater groups, or professional ones, for that matter. It was last done on Broadway this year in "The Little Foxes," with Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon alternating the roles of Regina Giddens and Birdie. Parrillo, though, did it once before when he directed an outdoor production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" for the Players Guild in 1996.

Why did he do it? The answer both times was the same.

"We had such an abundance of talent at the auditions," said Parrillo, "that our casting committee had an extremely difficult time in deciding. So we agreed to double cast and give the show an interesting variety of interpretations and performances. You can see the show twice and have it impact on you differently."

How does the cast feel about this unusual casting? Typical of their response is from one of the show's Adelaides, Alison Miller: "I was genuinely confused and hesitant about the double casting initially, but now I see everyone's gifts shining through and I'm excited about the process and the product."

"They're having fun," Parrillo added. "More people not only get the chance to perform in a lead role, but the other times they create a totally different character to complement the show."

Ed Feldman of Leonia, an attorney by day and music director by night, has teamed with Parrillo (a William Paterson University professor) on about a dozen previous productions. Marc Leland, a former professional dancer and currently an insurance broker and filmmaker, is the show's choreographer, as well as alternating performing roles as gamblers Nathan Detroit and Scranton Slim.

"Guys and Dolls," winner of five Tony Awards including best musical, has music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Among the many classic songs are "I'll Know When My Love Comes Along," "If I Were a Bell," "I've Never Been in Love Before," "Luck Be a Lady," and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat."

Reserved seat tickets ($25 general, $20 seniors and students) may be obtained at the PGL website (www.leoniaplayers.org) or by phone (201-947-9606).