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'Guys & Dolls' by Landmark Community Theatre - My Review

An excellent musical "chestnut" at the Thomaston Opera House

Guys and Dolls, currently running at the Thomaston Opera House, is a much beloved "old chestnut" of show. WZBG's Backstage Johnny O said so during his interview with the director Chuck Stango and his wife Rebecca Russo, who plays Sarah Brown in the show. Johnny O, otherwise known as John Ozerhoski, plays Nathan Detroit. Mr. Stango calls the "revered classical musical comedy" his all-time favorite musical and he has appeared in twenty five productions since 2008, so it was surely difficult for him to make the choice. So I was probably the only adult in the large matinee audience who had never seen it before; even my youngest son had recently seen a high school production of it.

Mr. Stango was "overjoyed" to see that Guys and Dolls was included on the Landmark Community Theatre 2013 season and could not pass up the opportunity to ask to be considered to direct it, despite the fact that the only show he had ever directed was the wonderful and huge production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Blessed Sacrament School in Waterbury. He was grateful for the opportunity to trust his cast "enough to give them a basic framework for what you are looking for...and then get our of the way." The cast he has assembled is supremely talented and under their director's loving care, this show is very funny, musically dazzling, visually color-drenched  and so much fun.

Juan Cardona entertained the matinee crowd as they were seated with a wonderful collection of Rat Pack musical selections on the magnificent pipe organ. Jeff Dunn took to the stage for the normal welcome and, oh yes, he announced that the "Most Beloved (and hereto secret) Musical" this summer will be LES MISERABLES. Not really news for some of us, but the season subscribers were pretty excited. I spoke to one during intermission who bemoaned the many recent changes to the Warner Theatre schedule and who is now hopeful that this will no longer be the case. She bravely bought season tickets for the TOH without knowing what the summer musical would be and she was happy she had. I also got to congratulate celebrity spot operator Connor Barth on getting another role in a touring company.

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For any other Guys and Dolls first timers:

First performed on Broadway in 1950, and later a film in 1955, Guys and Dolls is a musical based on the Damon Runyon books of the New York underworld. It tells the story of a gambler, Nathan Detroit who runs a “floating” crap game, much to the disgust of his long suffering fiancé of 14 years, the Hot Box night club singer, Adelaide Adams. To raise the money to pay for a venue for his crap game, he bets $1000 on what he believes is a sure thing. Sky Masterson, a high rolling, suave gambler boasts that he could have any girl he wants. So Nathan bets him that he can’t get the local “Save A Soul” missionary, Sarah Brown to come to dinner with him in Havana. She is reluctant, so Sky in turn guarantees that he will provide 12 “genuine sinners” for her midnight prayer meeting in return for dinner. So, Sky needs sinners to win his bet, Sarah needs to save her mission, Adelaide wants to turn her 14 year engagement into a wedding and Nathan is just trying to keep his crap game afloat, keep Adelaide happy and not get arrested by the local cop or shot by a visiting gangster.

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So the characters are flawed at best, but one can't help but love them all. The actors who play them are simply a joy to watch and listen to. There is not a weak member of this cast and the performers of the lead roles are excellent. The staging done by this "rookie" director is admirable.

The "Guys" always sounded great when the sang and danced together. The gamblers with the gangster names include Angie the Ox (John Dressel in his debut onstage,) Joey Biltmore (Robert Lussier,) Rusty Charlie (Robert Thorton) and Big Jule (also Robert Lussier.) Harry the Horse is played by the always memorable Patrick Hearn and Benny Southstreet is played by the always funny James Woods.

Anthony Sposato plays the role of Sky Masterson with charm and a fantastic singing voice. Steve Sorriero is endearing as Sarah's grandfather and the bass drum player in the mission band.

, is a standout as Nicely-Nicely Johnson; the absolute best joke is made at his expense. Mr. Ozerhoski is pitch perfect as Nathan Detroit and almost steals all the scenes he is in.

The "Dolls" include Juliette Garrison Koch as the hysterical and sexy Miss Adelaide. Her wonderful comic timing worked perfectly with that of her love interest, the Nathan Detroit of Mr. O. She writes in her bio that she snagged the role of Violet in this summer's production of 9 to 5 at Musicals at Richer. I look forward to seeing her in this role. Ms Russo, who is thrilled to return to the stage after a five year absence, sings perfectly as Sarah.

The lighting designed by Ian Diedrich and Dan Checovettes was very creative, especially during the "Luck Be a Lady" production number. The choreography by Sheila Waters Fucci was lovely and wonderfully brought to life by the small ensembles of dancers. "The Crapshooters' Ballet," danced in a sewer no less, "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" and everything by the Hot Box Dancers (Caitlin Barra, Emily Diedrich, Erin Spector, Samantha Traub) were standout numbers for me. The costumes made by a group led by Renee Purdy and Aurora Montenero are beautiful, perfectly appropriate and in Technicolor... think purple, red and gold zoot suits for the guys and hats and gloves or tasteful nightclub dancer costumes. The six-piece band under the direction of Lynne Kearney on piano wore appropriate period hats. From the first note of the overture, they sounded great.

I enjoyed every moment of this oldie but goodie and so did the rest of the audience at the matinee. Mr. Stango can add director of adults to his many (always enjoyable) credits and I congratulate him on a job well done. Whether you have seen this show or now, don't miss this wonderful production.

Guys and Dolls continues the next two weekends at the Thomaston Opera House.

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