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Another Broadway classic musical, “Guys and Dolls,” comes to Artisan Theater with all the romance and humor of Damon Runyon’s depression era fable about fast talking gamblers and the “dolls” who love them. Immortal tunes such as “Luck Be A Lady,” “Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat” and “I Got The Horse Right Here” lift the spirit and follow the audience home with tunes we love to hum.
“Guys and Dolls” tells the romantic misadventure of prim Salvation Army Sgt. Sarah Brown (Janell Hollister) who wants to reform all the evil doers around Times Square. She meets her match in the high rolling gambler Sky Masterson (Kyle Holt). Masterson’s friend, Nathan Detroit, (Michael Williams) is trying to find a spot for his floating crap game, while keeping Chicago mobsters at bay and resisting marriage to Adelaide (Christina Bain) his long suffering girlfriend. Detroit bets Masterson that he can’t make the next girl he sees follow him to Havana for a romantic tryst. That “next girl” turns out to be the pure hearted Sarah Brown! The bet is the perfect set up for a comedy of errors of epic proportions!
I normally attend an evening performance when reviewing live theatre. “Guys and Dolls” offered a Saturday matinee that fit better into my schedule, so I broke from my norm and enjoyed an early day at the theatre. It was a full house, but the audience was considerably more subdued than an evening audience. I find that to be true of most matinee audiences though. Unfortunately, it had an effect on the show. When the audience is not reacting to a show, it can lead to a lack of energy from the performers and cause a drag in the action. This is what happened last Saturday.
The actors and production quality were exactly as they should be. The timing and pace of the show left me wanting. Artisan Theatre can always be counted on to provide exceptional family entertainment. “Guys and Dolls” does just that. However, I kept wanting things to rev up. The drag in tempo made it a little dull and hard to stay interesting.
With that said, it is still a very good show. The musical numbers are fun and memorable, and the overall feel of the show is light-hearted and fun.
Costuming and character bits added to the light hearted atmosphere and magicly transported me to 1930’s New York. However, I would have liked for all the women to have been in character dance shoes. It was a little distracting to see the lead, Sarah Brown dance in ballet flats. It made her look a bit awkward, and did not show off her true grace and dance abilities. A few of the gentlemen wearing fedoras need to take care not to fiddle with their hats quite so much while on stage. It’s in character for them to have a little business with their wardrobe, but too much, and it takes away from the action on stage.
The female chorus was incredible! It’s been a very long time since I’ve been to a show where the chorus stood out with such cohesive and clever stage presence. Bravo! A special salute goes to the women who played the back-up dancers at the night club where Adelaid performs. They each worked in great characterization and stage bits that made me completely believe they were dancers from a 2nd class night club. One young lady in particular needs a star put on her door. The choral member who plays the waitress in the Havana night club scene was priceless! Great stage bits that filled out the action, and added color around the edges!
Shawn Nelson who plays Nicely Nicely Johnson, one of Nathan Detroit’s associates was another actor that brought a great deal of humor and color to the production was.
Thank you Artisan Center Theatre for bringing quality family productions to the mid-cities. For more info go to artisanct.com
Playing at the Artisan Center Theater in Hurst July 17 — August 29
