By Pamela Gutierrez, Staff Writer
The Logan Performing Arts Department’s production of Guys and Dolls showcased an entire cast of young student actors all of whom performed outstandingly at Friday’s opening night.
The musical is a remake of the 1950 Broadway production. It was brought to the big screen in 1955 and featured an all-star cast which included Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson and Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit. The Performing Arts department has managed to duplicate this by casting it’s own Logan all-star cast.
Drama veteran Laurie Magers who also performed in last years “Into the Woods” and this years “Much Ado about Nothing”, portrays Adelaide, a slightly ditzy yet hopelessly in love young woman who just can’t manage to cut loose Nathan Detroit, her gambling fiance of 14 years no matter how many times he breaks her heart. Her solo performances like “Adelaide’s Lament” have you mumbling the words to the song for hours to come and wishing there had been more. She is a welcome presence in all scenes. Paired with Justin Davis as Nathan Detroit, who also gives an entertaining performance with his cautiously in love, not-so-tough demeanor, the two make a likable couple and have excellent stage chemistry.
The story begins when Detroit bets Sky Masterson, played by Taven Parker, that he can’t take any “doll” he wants to Havana. Masterson accepts the challenge and then proceeds to woo Sarah Brown, Aarti Bhatnger, a conservative missionary struggling to “save the souls” of all the sinners on Broadway. Parker is a very convincing suave New York gambler and likable bad boy throughout both acts. Bhatnger also performs beautifully and is funny as a tipsy good- girl- gone- wild (well maybe not WILD). While at times they lack the chemistry that Magers and Davis have, they still prove the theory that opposites attract and add some good laughs along the way.
The choreography of the whole musical is very well done and the Hot Box Dancers are especially entertaining in the number “Take Back Your Mink” in which they sing and dance about giving back all the gifts their guy has given them only to take them back in the end and ask “well, wouldn’t you?”
David HIrayama and Aaron Orpilla as Big Julie and Benny Southstreet were also welcome character as the tough big guy gambler and the loyal little guy.
Joseph Canuto, who plays Nicely- Nicely Johnson, also deserves recognition as his musical number “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining of the night.
Guys and Dolls was performed Friday and Saturday night at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm in the Little Theater. Admission price was $10 but well worth it.