Music Theater Works: Guys and Dolls Review
(L to R) David Geinosky, Cary Lovett and Miguel Long
Music Theater Works Presents GUYS AND DOLLS - A Fresh Take On A Fun, Campy Classic
TLDR: Though Guys and Dolls has been a popular show recently throughout the Chicago theatre scene, Music Theater Works delivers a fun and laugh out loud funny show as it amps up the campiness. Fans of this classic shouldn’t be worried, this production still delivers the music and story you know and love.
(L to R) Alex Villaseñor, Jenny Couch, Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor, Brandon Acosta and Emma Jean Eastland
Music Theater Works Takes Us to The Streets of NYC
We enter the smaller of the two theaters at the North Center for the Performing Arts on a Friday evening. The theater is buzzing with excitement and we take our seats. Light up marquee signs hang from the ceiling proclaiming “Mindy’s,” “The Hot Box Club,” and “The Shubert Theater” in bright lights. The skyline of New York is roughly outlined on the set behind them, holding the orchestra members above the stage.
The ensemble runs onto the stage evoking the sense of the bustling New York Streets. They dance in the opening number - guys smoothly gliding across the stage and women twirling their circle skirts. They come together with high kicks and shimmies bringing the energy up.
Then, with the sound of a trumpet, we’re treated to the harmonies of Benny Southstreet (David Geinosky), Nicely Nicely Johnson (Cary Lovett), and Rusty Charlie (Miguel Long) as they sing about their winning horses in “”Runyonland.”
The Core Four Bring Their A-Game
Forgot all the Frank Sinatra wannabes, Callan Roberts brings a fresh take on Nathan Detroit as he frantically runs from place to place trying to get the crap game up and running. He is at his wits end trying to keep the kibosh on the game in front of Lieutenant Brannigan. He’s a fast talker but quickly turns the other way when he finds himself outmatched, all with a quick and funny line delivery.
Kristin Brintnall as Adelaide smiles brightly and wraps her arms around Nathan, rubbing his arm comfortingly. She brings her glittering self to the Hot Box where she performs her usual musical revues, bedazzled in sparkling skirts and gowns. She giddily bounces around at the thought of being married to Nathan and we can’t help but be optimistic right along with her.
Put these two together and they feel like that couple you know that is constantly breaking up and getting back together again, but you know when they do break up it’s not for long because they truly are meant for each other.
Jeffrey Charles as Sky Masterson brims with suave confidence at every turn. He doesn’t rush his movements, but lets them simmer and let everyone move around him. When he gets one on one time with Sarah, he shows more emotion than Marlon Brando and we feel like his heart is softening bit by bit.
Usually Sergeant Sarah Brown is very uptight and straight laced until she has a couple “dulce de leches” in Cuba. But here, Cecilia Iole brings a fire to Sarah. She doesn’t seem to be turning Sky down out of righteous anger, but more so out of a high regard for herself. It feels like a genuine romance is blossoming between the two out of mutual respect and not just a crafted storyline.
Members of the cast of GUYS AND DOLLS
Toe Tapping Song and Dance Numbers
For those that love the original work but are worried it may have lost its charm, don’t fret as all the things you know and love about the show are still there. The ensemble still delivers the big dance numbers from the Hot Box girls to down in the sewers during “Luck Be A Lady.” You may feel like we lose some of the grandness of a big Broadway musical as it sometimes felt cramped during some of these numbers. But that’s only because we can feel the cast’s energy wanting to go bigger but just needed to be careful of the audience in the cabaret seats.
And of course the cast delivers the songs from the belting and high soaring solos to harmonizing in their duets, trios, and full cast numbers. I would be remiss of course not to mention Cary Lovett’s big eleven o’clock number “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.” Throughout the show he brings a charming naivete to Nicely but the spirit definitely overtakes him during his showstopper as he brings the house down, building to that last grand note.
The After Party Thoughts
There’s been a few productions of Guys and Dolls around Chicago recently that have aimed to find their voice to differentiate themselves from the movie. Here, Music Theater Works does that by breathing a fresh and fun life into the show. To me, this one stands out because director Sahsa Gerritson embraced the campiness of the show and brought that fun and silliness that this musical always had. There’s still those old fashioned jokes about being tied down and married that may not always fit a modern audience. But because this production turned the corner and made the musical not take itself too seriously, it rings more joking than serious when they talk about being tied down.
There’s so much more I could say that I liked about this show, but I’ll let y’all go out and see it for yourself. This show will hit a lot of marks for a lot of people. For those that hold a special place in their hearts for Guys and Dolls, those that are looking to check this one off your list of seeing classics on stage, or if you just love musicals and are in the mood for a fun comedy, Music Theater Works production of Guys and Dolls is a must see.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Adam Raso, Callan Reed, Andrew Freeland, David Geinosky and Peter Ruger
When
Now through March 30, 2025
Where
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60077
Runtime: 2hrs 30min, including an intermission
Tickets
$19.50+
Tickets can be purchased through the box office by calling (847) 673-6300 or through the Music Theater Works website
Photos
Brett Beiner
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Bob Sanders and Cecilia Iole
CAST
Brandon Acosta (Liver Lips/Ensemble/US Nathan Detroit/fight and intimacy captain)
Jordan Beyeler (Swing)
Kristin Brintnall (Miss Adelaide)
Caron Buinis (General Cartwright)
Jeffrey Charles (Sky Masterson)
Jenny Couch (Ensemble)
Emma Jean Eastlund (Ensemble)
Andrew Freeland (Big Jule/Ensemble)
David Geinosky (Benny Southstreet/Ensemble/US Nicely Nicely)
Joe Giovannetti (Ensemble/US Sky Masterson)
Isabella Gomez-Barrientos (Agatha/Ensemble/US Sarah Brown)
Ben Harmon (Angie The Ox/Ensemble)
Emily Holland (Ensemble/US Miss Adelaide)
Cecilia Iole (Sarah Brown)
Dee Kimpel (Martha/Ensemble/US General Cartwright)
Kyle Kite (Ensemble)
Miguel Long (Rusty Charlie/Ensemble)
Cary Lovett (Nicely Nicely Johnson/US Arvide Abernathy)
Matthew Millin (Swing)
Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor (Ensemble)
Adam Raso (Harry the Horse/Ensemble/US Lt. Brannigan)
Ian Reed (Lt. Brannigan)
Callan Roberts (Nathan Detroit)
Peter Ruger (Calvin/Ensemble/US Big Jule)
Bob Sanders (Arvide Abernathy)
Alex Villaseñor (Ensemble/Non-Equity Deputy)
CREATIVE
Sasha Gerritson (Director)
Clayton Cross (Choreographer)
Linda Madonia (Music Director)
Amber Wutke (Intimacy and Violence Choreographer)
Kathy Logelin (Dialect Coach)
Rachel Rock (Stage Manager)
Ethan Colish (Assistant Stage Manager)
Ben Lipinski (Scenic Designer)
Nga Sze Chan (Properties Designer)
Bob Kuhn (Costume Designer)
Kristen Brinati (Wardrobe Head)
Alice Salazar (Hair/Wig/Makeup co-designer)
Melanie Saso (Hair/Wig/Makeup co-designer)
Andrew Meyers (Lighting Designer)
Forrest Gregor (Sound Designer)
Kimberly Carbone (Production Sound Engineer)
Andersonville Scenic Studios (Scene Shop)
Kevin Disch (Piano/Conductor)
Alison Tatum (Violin)
Cara Strauss (Reed 1)
Eva Lewis Butcher (Reed 2)
Amy Nelson (Trumpet)
Stephanie Lebens (Trombone)
Eric Von Holst (Bass)
Lindsay Williams (Drums)