HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Music Theater Works production of “Guys and Dolls” at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie is good old fashioned mid-century style, musical theater fun.
The story lampoons the idea of middle class morality, lambasting both the good guys and bad guys for taking themselves so seriously.
Nathan Detroit who runs a floating crap game somewhere around Hell’s Kitchen in Midtown Manhattan needs to raise a thousand dollars in order to secure a location for his upcoming event. To that end Detroit makes a bet with local big-time gambler and playboy Sky Masterson that Masterson cannot persuade “a certain doll” Sarah Brown, leader of the Save A Soul Mission, to accompany Masterson to Cuba. Therein lies the challenge and the conflict to be overcome.
The show itself does not take itself too seriously either. This is a series of vaudeville style song and dance numbers designed primarily to entertain, featuring strong melodies and clever lyrics in the Tin Pan Alley tradition by Frank Loesser. Its heavy misogynistic overtones using two dimensional characters speaking in an exaggerated Damon Runyon inspired vernacular, designed to emphasize perceptions of social class is all very much tongue-in-cheek.
Sky Masterson (Jeffrey Charles) and Sarah Brown (Cecilia Iole) are considered the stars of the show contributing the quieter and more intimate moments such as in the lyrical tune, “I’ll Know.”
However, it’s Nathan Detroit (Callan Roberts) and his long-suffering fiancé Miss Adelaide (Kristin Brintnall) who are the pivotal characters. It’s Detroit’s dilemma that fuels the action and his resistance of Adelaide with her quest for an idealized middle-class life that provides much of the show’s energy.
Kristin Brintnall was perfect on every level. The character of Adelaide has become a coveted role for female musical theater performers looking to demonstrate their comic range by utilizing an over-the-top Brooklyn accent plus a chance to sing “Adelaide’s Lament” and perform, with the Hot Box Girls, the campy burlesque numbers, “A Bushel and a Peck” as well as “Take Back your Mink.”
None of the characters can be described as being deep. The fun of the performances is in their easy to enjoy broad comedy. Nicely-Nicely (Cary Lovett) one of Nathan Detroit’s companions is another iconic role, featured in the racing form song “Fugue for Tinhorns” that opens the play and the show stopping “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” in Act Two.
Other characters like vice-cop Lt. Brannigan (Ian Reed), Sarah’s coworker Arvide Abernathy (Bob Sanders), local gambler Harry the Horse (Adam Raso) and Chicago gangster Big Jule (Andrew Freeland) all have their featured comedic moments.
Presented in the smaller of the two theaters at the NSC, the scale was perfect for this production making the stage seem full but not crowded. The simple set design by Ben Lipinsky strategically used the area above the streetscape for the orchestra against a huge skyline of New York which expanded the horizon, providing a sense of intimacy within a larger context.
This is the 45th Season of Music Theater Works and if this first show is any indication of what is to come it’s going to be great. Every voice was perfection and the eight-piece orchestra lead by Kevin Disch was superb.
Guys and Dolls has been performed by countless schools, community theaters and professional companies over the past fifty-plus years but still seems to resonate with both young and more mature audiences mostly because the music is memorable and the show is fun.
Details: “Guys and Dolls” is presented by Music Theater Works at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, through March 30, 2025. Running time 2 ½ hours with one intermission. For tickets and information contact Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300 or visit their website MusicTheaterWorks.com
Reno Lovison
For more shows visit Theatre in Chicago