TLT's 'Guys and Dolls' has snap and crackle
Kati Schardl
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
The bright, bustling Gotham of Frank Loesser's timeless musical "Guys and
Dolls" bears only the slightest, most superficial resemblance to the grim,
perilous metropolis of the Caped Crusader and his demented nemesis The Joker in
the latest "Batman" movie.
Loesser's gamblers talk tough, but are good at heart. His floozies vamp, pout
and shake their ta-ta's with relish, but what they really want is a house in the
country with a picket fence and five children running around in the yard.
Earnest, pure - and pretty - missionaries aren't afraid to step up on the
soapbox in sketchy neighborhoods to preach the promise of redemption. Where "Batman" explodes with heart-stopping chase scenes and flashy visual
effects, "Guys and Dolls" brims with sweet, swelling ballads, sly, snappy
show-girl numbers, throbbing romantic moments and wry, good-natured humor. It's
such a sure-fire winner, in fact, that Tallahassee Little Theatre is going
all-in and throwing all its chips on the table by adding a weekend of
performances for its production of "Guys and Dolls" - before the show has
officially opened. Judging from Wednesday's preview performance, it's a pretty
safe bet. |
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The show features what looks like a cast of thousands on TLT's economy-sized
stage. Thanks to canny direction by Peggy Brady - no stranger to wrangling
exuberant thespian herds - the action never descends into chaos and, instead,
fills the space with vibrant motion, deft acting and heartfelt singing. Brady
employed both eye and ear to cast the principal roles, so that there are visual
complements and contrasts and seamless vocal blends.
Veteran Jimmy Kontos is an extremely likable Nathan Detroit, proprietor of
the oldest permanent floating crap game in New York. The word "hapless" doesn't
even come close to describing Nathan's travails - which include placating Miss
Adelaide, his fiance of 14 years. Kontos' Nathan is such a sympathetic character
that you root for him to come out on top. Colleen McClure is a most alluring and
saucy Adelaide. Some actresses choose to portray the chorine as a complete ditz,
but McClure's Adelaide has depth - brains as well as heart. Rick Farris is a dashing, emotive Sky Masterson, with an expressive face, a
strong singing voice and lean grace. His rapport with Shirley DeSear's
glowing-with-glory Salvation Army sergeant Sarah is strong and moving. Mike
Sheridan and Jef Canter as Nathan Detroit's henchmen
Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Benny Southstreet, respectively, were a huge hit with
Wednesday's Kiwanis Club audience. Both have perfect New Yawk accents and great
comic timing, and Sheridan, in particular, just about brought down the house
with his rendition of "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat." |
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There simply isn't room to name every standout performer in the sterling
ensemble, which includes such familiar local actors as Dorothea Syleos, Duncan
Hoehn, Sara de Revere, Lesile Gonzalez, Dan Hall, Bryan F. Mitchell and Nathan
Williamson. The spare, clever set pieces designed by former FSU professor Gerry
Leahy are painted in eye-popping primary and neon colors and made for seamless
scene changes. J.Michael Beech provides sassy choreography, and Ben Gunter
presides over the musical portion of the dramatic equation with his usual flair.
A word about the latter: The mini-jazz orchestra led by Jillian Bracken is
incorporated into the action onstage and handles Loesser's score with skill and
verve.
If you go What: "Guys and Dolls," by Frank Loesser, Joe Swerling and Abe
Burrows.
When: 8 p.m. today, Saturday and Thursday through Aug. 2, with matinees at 2
p.m. Sunday and Aug. 3; a third weekend of performances is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Aug. 8-9 and 2 p.m. Aug. 10.
Running time: 3 hours, includes a 15-minute intermission.
Where: Tallahassee Little Theatre, 1861 Thomasville Road. Cost: $16 for
adults, $14 for students and senior citizens.
Contact: 224-8474 or www.tallahasseelittletheatre.org. |
