 My mom with the Guys and Dolls playbill outside the theatre in Stratford |
I was interested when I heard this was the Stratford musical for the year, but I probably wouldn’t have gone unless my mother decided to come out for a visit, and I can’t very well entertain visitors without taking them to a show, now can I? 🙂
Anyway, we had pretty good seats – very close to the stage, but completely on the left side, so we couldn’t see the sets at all, but I don’t think it was a huge loss. I must admit, part of the reason I hadn’t been thrilled about seeing the show was because Cynthia Dale was in it *again*. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve got nothing against her, but she’s played the female lead in 3 of the last 4 shows they’ve done, and I just can’t believe that she’s right for EVERY role. Having said all that, however, I think this was probably my favourite of the three for her. She was very believable as the principled Sarah, and quite sweet in the later scenes. She also worked well with Scott Wentworth, who was a fine Sky, though not vocally that strong.
Sheila McCarthy is another Stratford favourite, and she was a very good Miss Adelaide. Probably the weakest link among the leads was Geordie Johnson as Nathan, who unfortunately just didn’t do much for me at all. Bruce Dow was a wonderful Nicely-Nicely though, and “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” was a highlight of the show for me. As was the craps game dancing, thanks to the talented ensemble.
One thing I’ve always liked about Guys and Dolls is that in the end the men change their ways in order to get/keep the girl – it’s so often the other way around, that it’s a refreshing change of pace! 🙂
| Miss Adelaide | SHEILA McCARTHY |
| Nicely-Nicely Johnson | BRUCE DOW |
| Nathan Detroit | GEORDIE JOHNSON |
| Rusty Charlie | JIMMY SPADOLA |
| Benny Southstreet | SHAWN WRIGHT |
| Sarah Brown | CYNTHIA DALE |
| Arvide Abernathy | DOUGLAS CHAMBERLAIN |
| Mission Band  Agatha  Martha  Calvin |
BARBARA FULTON |
| Harry the Horse | NIGEL HAMER |
| Lt. Brannigan | GEORGE MASSWOHL |
| Angie the Ox | AARON WALPOLE |
| Sky Masterson | SCOTT WENTWORTH |
| Joey Biltmore | JIMMY SPADOLA |
| Mimi | MARIANNE McCORD |
| General Matilda B. Cartwright | PATRICIA COLLINS |
| Big Jule | GRANT LINNEBERG |
| Waiter | PHILLIP HUGHES |
| Drunk | DAVID HOGAN |
| MC | AARON WALPOLE |
| Guys, Dolls, Gamblers Gangsters, Runyonland Citizens Hot Box Girls, Mardi Gras Dancers and Revellers, Bridesmaids, Cops |
CARLA BENNETT CHRISTINE DONATO MICHAEL FALCUCCI BARBARA FULTON NIGEL HAMER NOAH HENNE DAVID HOGAN MARK HUCULAK PHILLIP HUGHES ADELE MACKENZIE MAYBURY MARIANNE McCORD CHAD McFADDEN JODI-LYNN McFADDEN TAMMY NERA RHONDA ROBERTS JASON SERMONIA JULIUS SERMONIA DAYNA TEKATCH MIKE TRACZ AARON WALPOLE BARRIE WOOD |