WSU's Bonstelle Theatre to Present GUYS AND DOLLS, 4/11-4/19

On Friday April 11, Theatre and Dance at Wayne rolls back the clock to the era when the Bonstelle Theatre became a part of Wayne State University, with the production of the 1950 classic, Guys & Dolls. Based on Damon Runyon's story and characters, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, and is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy.

Tickets are $20-$25 and are available by calling (313) 577-2960, visiting www.bonstelle.com, or at the Wayne State University Theatre Box Office located at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock.

Guys and Dolls centers on the romantic misadventures of four iconic Broadway characters: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight "mission doll," out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler with a heart; Miss Adelaide, the chronically-ill nightclub performer whose condition may be attributed to the fact she has been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, anxious, as always, to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game.

Desperate to find money to pay for his game, Nathan bets Sky a thousand dollars that Sky will not be able to take a local Salvation Army girl, Sarah, to Cuba. While Sky courts Sarah, Nathan battles with his fiancée, Adelaide, all the while trying to put together his illegal crap game under the watchful eye of Lt. Brannigan. Will Nathan Detroit ever marry his fiancée, Adelaide, after fourteen years? Will Nathan evade the authorities to find a place for his long standing floating crap game? Can the noted gambler and rogue Sky Masterson overcome the stolid defenses of the beautiful Salvation Army crusader, Sister Sarah Brown?

When Guys & Dolls opened on Broadway, it became one of the great successes of Broadway history, running for 1,200 performances and winning five Tony Awards including Best Musical. It has received three Broadway revivals, two major mountings in London, and has been adapted into the classic big-budget 1955 film starring Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons, and Vivian Blaine.

Guys and Dolls opened on Broadway in 1950 and ran through 1953. During this time, the Bonstelle Theatre merged with Wayne State University, and premiered its first season (1951-1952). Theatre and Dance at Wayne is excited to get back to its roots, and celebrate the 50's with this golden-age musical!

The cast includes (in alphabetical order):

Bailey Allshouse (West Bloomfield, MI) Waiter, Krista Borthwick (Warren, MI) Agatha, Paul Clauson (Sterling Hights, MI) Brannigan, Garett Harris (Royal Oak, MI) Benny, Logan Hart (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI) Angie-the-Ox, Colin Mallory (Lansing, MI) Rusty, Jackson McLaskey (Mt. Clemens, MI) Sky, Matthew Miazgowicz (Dearborn, MI) Nicley, Kelly Robinson (Royal Oak, MI) Sarah, Luke Rose (Harrison Twp., MI) Big Jule, Anthony Scamihorn (Marshal, MI) Harry, Keira Schmitt (Livonia, MI) Adelaide, Anna Seibert (Detroit, MI) Aileen, Austin Sullivan (Dexter, MI) Louie, Kendall Talbot (Sterling Heights, MI) General, Graham Todd (Shelby Township, MI) M.C., Nick Yocum (Royal Oak, MI) Nathan

Hot Box Girls: Lydia Di Iorio (Farmington Hills, MI), Maria Iduante (Westland, MI), Ashley Kalchik (Commerce Township, MI), Maria LoPiccolo (Riverview, MI), Molly McMillan (Saline, MI), Hope Morawa (Lincoln Park, MI), Melodie Myshock (Romulus, MI), Shanice Rollins (Detroit, MI), Danielle Wright (Southfield, MI), Lisa Youngs (Wyandotte, MI).

Ensemble: Alexis Barrera (Hartland, MI), Breon Canady (Detroit, MI), Nicole Heikkila (Garden City, MI), Taylor Morrow (Warren, MI), Janelle Soulliere (Clinton Township, MI), Samantha York (Dearborn, MI)

The production team includes:

Michael J. Barnes (Director), Meg Paul and Jeff Rebudal (Choreographers), Devon Hasen (Music Director), Veronica Zahn (Stage Manager), Sarah Pearline (Scenic Designer), Brain Dambacher (Technical Director), Christa Tausney (Props Master), Mary Copenhagen (Costume Designer), Samuel Byers (Lighting Designer), Tyler Ezell (Master Electrician), Amy Shneider (Sound Designer), Michael Hallberg (Assistant Sound Designer), and Jordan Donahue (Publicity Manager).

About the Bonstelle Theatre: The Bonstelle Theatre is a Broadway-style House with a 1,143-seat auditorium featuring a balcony, owned by Wayne State University. Here, future stars of theatre, film, and television follow in the footsteps of such successful alumni as Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning

S. Epatha Merkerson (NBC's Law and Order, Lackawanna Blues), Lily Tomlin (9 to 5, ABC's Desperate Housewives) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, NBC's Heroes). For box office hours and information on performances, tickets, group discounts and corporate packages, please call the box office at (313) 577-2960 or visit the theatre's website at www.bonstelle.com.

The Bonstelle Theatre, Where Wayne Plays. Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.

Photo Courtesy of the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance Archives. Photo from Guys & Dolls, 1986-87 Bonstelle Theatre Season.

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