Craig Golbesky, director of Valparaiso’s Memorial Opera House’s production of “Guys and Dolls,” described the beloved musical as “quintessential American theater at it’s best.”
“I think that it’s one of the smartest written pieces of musical theater out there,” he said. “It’s funny, it’s witty, there’s song, there’s dance, there’s a couple of tense moments. It’s definitely a guaranteed crowd pleaser.”
Opening today and running through March 10, “Guys” looks at the highs and lows between a pair of couples, Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide and Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown, as they make their way through the hustle and bustle of New York City-esque underworld in the early 20th Century.
Based on a pair of short stories penned by beloved American author Damon Runyon, “Guys” was adapted for the stage by Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Featuring stage standards such as “Luck Be A Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and “If I Were A Bell,” the musical made its Broadway debut in 1950, ran for more than 1,200 performances, and received five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
“Guys” was also adapted for the big screen in1955, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, and revived on the Great White Way a half dozen times, most recently in 2009.
Golbesky performed in a Memorial Opera House production of “Guys” 10 years ago. He is returning to the director’s chair at the venue for the first time since 2007.
“It’s nice to be back in the space there,” he said. “It’s been a great experience.”
Luke Bouman plays Detroit and Mary Kay Steele portrays Adelaide in Memorial Opera House’s production of “Guys” and are joined by John Peluso as Masterson and Sheree Wheeler-Gudeman as Brown. The four thesps lead a cast of more than two-dozen performers.
Next up for Memorial Opera House is a production of the musical “Gypsy,” scheduled to open April 19.
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