The Dramatic Arts and Dance Department and the Music Department invite you to Guys and Dolls, the classic American musical comedy based on Damon Runyon's short story, "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown."
Guys and Dolls was first presented on Broadway in 1950 and has since enjoyed numerous revivals, including the 1955 film version staring Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons, Marlon Brando and Vivian Blaine.
Today, the story's hilarious complications continue to appeal to college audiences, as students still share many of the hopes and dilemmas on which the musical is based. Presenting this wonderful musical and making 'the magic happen' requires the talents and efforts of over one hundred Mac students, including the 20-person orchestra and 30-person cast.
Guys and Dolls is especially challenging for the actors, as it is one of the few musicals that demands complex performances in addition to singing and dancing. Being about true love, Guys and Dolls requires the actors to fall in love believably despite the unrealistic, "larger-than-life" setting. Illuminated by dazzling light and colors, the setting resembles a cartoon––yet a cartoon whose characters love realistically.
Most importantly, Guys and Dolls is also a distinctly American work of art. Musical theater is one of the three performing art forms to originate and develop in the US, the other being modern dance and jazz. This is one of the reasons why Randy Winkler, who directs Guys and Dolls for the 9th time in his 25-year-long career, is particularly enthused about the play. Winkler, who also works at St. Thomas, Concordia and St. Cates promises that the "show would be worthy of 10 times the $5 ticket price."
After explaining to me why there would not be free tickets for the show (musicals require tremendous expenses compared to standard drama productions), Prof. Winkler did not miss the chance to highlight the wonderful thing that Guys and Dolls have to say: gambling and love are interconnected. In other words, the show confirms that "in order to fall in love, you have to take a chance." Well, having seen the technical rehearsal, I am confident enough to paraphrase his words by urging you to take the chance and fall in love with Guys and Dolls.
Yana Mihaleva is a first-year. Contact her at ymihaleva@macalester.edu.
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The four leads of the Dramatic Arts and Dance department's production of Guys and Dolls, which opens this weekend: Nathan Detroit, his lady Adelaine, Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown ("the mission doll"). Photo courtesy of the Theater Department.
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More Info
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Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, April 24 and April 27 (no performances Friday or Saturday) and again, Thursday-Saturday, May 1-3. In addition, a matinee will be performed at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26.
Tickets are $10 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens, $5 for students with a valid ID and $7 for faculty and staff from the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities. Group rates are available for $7. For reservations and other information, call (651) 696-6359.
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