Of all the famous Broadway shows that changed musical history, Guys and Dolls can proudly claim to have skillfully adapted to the modern vernacular of the day and sparked a musical theatre revival. Wolf Trap’s six performance run of the world famous show gives Northern Virginia a chance to experience the toe-tapping tunes of the 1950’s. Filled with a remarkable cast and dazzling choreography, and directed lovingly by Gordon Greenberg – the show is a real treat!
Guys and Dolls immediately sets the tone with Nicely Nicley Johnson (the lovable, harmless gangster played by Glenn Rainey), Benny Southstreet (Garth Kravits laugh a minute performance) and
“Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” Photo By Andrew Propp.
Rusty Charlie (the hilarious and on-point Todd Horman) sing arguing over the race. Everything heads perfectly downhill as Nathan Detroit (a perfectly annoying Steve Ross) bets Sky Masterson (the standing ovation worthy Ben Crawford) that he can’t take Sarah Brown (Erin Davie) on a date. Detroit must keep his fiancee, Adelaide (the laugh riot, whining and screeching Megan Campbell) and Lt. Brannigan (the authoritative know it all Micheal Scott) from catching him set up a dice game with Harry the Horse (a comically mean Adam Moreno).
One of the best songs of all-time will always be “Fugue for Tinhorns” and Rainey, Kravits and Horman gives the audience every ounce of humor and banter the audience is expecting. Campbell’s performance of “A Bushel and A Peck” with the help of several talent ensemble members is another huge hit and inspires a round of can-can dancing on the lawn. The first act ending song, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” by Davie and Crawford draws the crowd into the intricately woven story with their emotional and honest duet.
“Havana,” the orchestral masterpiece, is filled with some of the tightest and funniest dance and fight choreography I’ve ever seen. The timing and work Choreographer Patti Colombo and Set Designer Kate Sutton-Johnson put into the routine and movable set is obvious from the start, but the flawless dancers hit every step effortlessly. The impeccable, timely costumes by Charlie Morrison are the frosting on each number.
“Luck Be a Lady” – the song the audience had been waiting for, is the smash hit of the night. From the seats to the lawn, countless fans sing along to the timeless classic and it’s Crawford’s top vocal performance of the night. The ensemble driven “Sit Down Your Rockin’ the Boat” isn’t the last song of the evening, but it earns the loudest applause, despite the late hour – and this number inspires another round of dancing on the lawn.
5 stars for an impeccable performance of one of history’s greatest musicals, because
having a ball doesn’t have to be illegal!
Guys and Dolls ends its run tomorrow August 14th at Wolf Trap – 1645 Trap Road in Vienna, Virginia with a 2 PM and 8 PM performance. To purchase tickets call 1-877-WOLFTRAP or visit them online.
