Scarborough Choral Society is bringing the colourful world of gangsters, gambling and dancing girls to the stage in the upcoming musical production of Guys and Dolls.
Considered a classic and a crowd favourite, director of the show Lorraine Kimsa said this musical was chose because it would create a world the audience could escape to for awhile. "You laugh, you enjoy the fanatastic music because it's music people can relate to ... and it's such a fun show with a feel-good story line," she said.Guys and Dolls, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, is based on two short stories by renowned author Damon Runyon. It premiered on Broadway in 1950 and several revivals later, is considered to be a show with staying power.Kimsa said the reason for this is that it's a timeless story with relatable characters and suitable for families to enjoy, adding there are laughs to be had throughout the entire show."It's a great show because it's based on the stories and characters of Damon Runyon," she said. "The characters are really over-the-top ... and the writing is very funny."Set in New York City in the 1950s, Kimsa said the show revolves around the relationships between two couples, gambler Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide, the star of the Hot Box Revue nightclub, and gambler Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown of the Salvation Army.The show begins with Nathan trying to set up a crap game when in walks in big-time gambler Sky who poses a bet to all his fellow gamblers."Part of the bet is he will woo Sarah enough to take her away to Havana, Cuba with him and then everything else revolves around that," said Brian Pearcy who's playing Nathan.Pearcy said his character is the mover and shaker who gets everything and everyone going. He also has been engaged for 14 years because he's "reluctant to do the deed" and is always on a mission for the next big win. But everyone has a mission in this story: Nathan and Adelaide have been engaged for 14 years so her mission is to get him to the altar, Sarah's mission is to convert all the sinners and Sky's mission is to get Sarah to go to Cuba with him so he can win the bet.Pearcy said his character Nathan is like the car that drives things with his actions keeping the ball, or plot, rolling. "It's him trying to get the craps game going and having to find the money to pay for the place, then he starts off the betting, makes a bet and that starts things in motion, so he's constantly running around fixing and making things work," he said.Kimsa said there are a lot of things going on between the characters, and these back-and-forth entanglements and situations are a huge part of the comedy in this show. However, she said there are serious moments as well. "There are wonderful romantic moments and a wonderful poignant moment between Sarah Brown and her grandfather when he sings a ballad to her ... whenever I hear it I can't help but to well up," she said.Besides the story and its characters, Kimsa said the music is fun and lively and some of the songs in the show are ones that people will recognize even if they haven't seen the show."You've got 'Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat,''I Love You a Bushel and a Peck,' which is old '50s music, and 'Luck Be a Lady Tonight' made famous by Frank Sinatra who was in the movie version of this show," she said.Kimsa said the set this year will be multi-levelled and portray several scenes including Havana, Cuba, New York City and a night club all designed by renowned artist David Adolphus. The costumes are '50s inspired.Both Pearcy and Kimsa said this show is a great for the whole family to enjoy and has the perfect combination of music, singing and dancing in a fanciful world that's larger than life.Guys and Dolls opens March 19 and runs March 20, 26 and 27, 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on March 20, 27 and 28, at Bayview Upper Glen School Theatre, 85 Moatfield Dr. Tickets are $20 on opening night and $25 thereafter, and youth tickets are $10. For tickets call 905-717-5808.