Ellen Greene Completes Starry Hollywood Bowl GUYS & DOLLS Casting
By: Eddie Varley Apr. 22, 2009
When Frank Loesser wrote the music and lyrics for Guys and Dolls - a Musical Fable of Broadway he may not have envisioned an outdoor production at an iconic venue nestled in the Hollywood Hills, but the all-star cast of Guys and Dolls in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl will sing and dance beneath those "stars in the sky" in an original, fully-staged production especially adapted for the Hollywood Bowl stage.
Guys and Dolls in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl is a one-of-a-kind production by the same creative team behind last summer's Les Misérables in Concert, led by director Richard Jay-Alexander, with choreography by Tony award-winner Donna McKechnie and musical direction by Kevin Stites, conducting the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
We reached out to director Richard Jay-Alexander, the "captain" of last summer's successful and sold out Les Miz in Concert, for a few comments about the starry Guys and Dolls casting.
"I'm ecstatic, other than the fact that John Mahoney dropped out due to personal reasons. So, we are now looking to cast the part of 'Arvide Abernathy' for the show", remarked Jay-Alexander. He continued to reveal his excitment in returning to the Hollywood Bowl, "First of all, I was very excited being asked back, after doing last summer's production of Les Misérables. To go back and work with producers Steve Linder and Brian Grohl, as well as the entire production team, makes me feel very secure - as the reality of doing these summer musicals is that it's fast and furious...and fun!"
"The audiences at the Bowl astonished me. Presenting Les Miz in front of those 17,000 people nightly, in that amazing setting, was thrilling."
Richard Jay-Alexander is known for perfecting the art of collaboration, and once again he'll be working with the best in the business as he explains, "The kicker for me is that Donna McKechnie has agreed to choreograph this production. And, even more excting, is that she has managed to get iconic Broadway "show girls" as our 'Hot Box Dancers'." Donna personally reached out to Sandahl Bergman, Valarie Pettiford, Jane Lanier and Kathryn Wright, who all said "yes" instantly. I almost fell over when she told me!" He adds, "and at the auditions we found the final two 'Hot Box Girls' - Jillana Laufer and Tracy Powell...talk about heaven."
The success of Damon Runyon's legendary musical comedy is often due to the casting of the colorful characters who bring to life Loesser's dazzling score and the Hollywood Bowl production is fairly bursting at the seams with talent.
Richard spoke a bit about the dynamic roster he has assembled. "We had, as you know, made early offers to Brian Stokes Mitchell and Jessica Biel." About Stokes, he says "You know, I saw Jo Loesser at FEINSTEIN'S one night, at Stokes' show, and she told me that if I do the show (Guys and Dolls) at The Hollywood Bowl, in this staged concert version, that I must 'get him.' She was right, of course. It blows my mind when I see her because I love her so much on that full-length recording of THE MOST HAPPY FELLA. It always makes me break out into some line or song when I see her. She was extraordinary as the original Rosabella."
Regarding the talented film and television star Jessica Biel's inspired casting, he gushes - "She blew me away when she came to meet with us at Kevin Stites' apartment. I'm beyond excited she'll be joining us this summer."
Another bullseye casting choice is who the team nabbed for the role of Nathan Detroit, "the fantastic Scott Bakula. Of course, I know him from his many stage appearances and he is rock solid. The only part I was missing was Miss Adelaide. So, I asked Ellen Greene to breakfast at Hugo's. Ellen Greene is so revered in the theatre community and, of course, 'owns' one of the most original creations in Musical Theatre history - Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. But, since going to Hollywood, she hasn't appeared in a major musical. Sitting there, looking at her, and talking, I remember thinking, "Please say YES ... please!" And the rest, as they say, is history".
"I'm thrilled to be working with her, as we've been friends for years." And with her completing the famous foursome of Guys and Dolls, he comments "You know .. there's that line in the show about 'chemistry' ... and I think we've got it!"
"Stokes, Biel, Bakula & Ellen? Yeah .. I'd say so. And the strength goes right through to all the ensemble and the dancers. We're very excited."
"I'm also excited about all the performers, as each has his or her own amazing individual accomplishments. For example...Ken Page, our Nicely Nicely - who played the role in the famous Billy Wilson all black production. Being friends, I simply asked him if he'd like to 're-visit' it. Happily, he said 'Yes!'
Same with Ruth Williamson and Herschel Sparber. I have to tip my hat and thank Jerry Zaks, as they were in his celebrated revival. So, as you can see, I've got some great anchors on the stage in the world of Damon Runyon. I even, FINALLY, get to work with extraordinary talents like Jason Graae and Amir Talai and re-unite with people like Cindy Benson, with whom I did the original Broadway production Les Miserables. It's gonna be a trip!"
About the planning he remarks, "The auditions were a blast, rehearsals start July 20th under the sturdy and gifted conducter, Kevin Stites guiding us and the Hollywood Bowl orchestra.
"And finally I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge our amazing casting directors - Michael Donovan and Margery Simkin who brought all the talent together for us. So...I guess, if you're asking me if I'm happy, the answer is YES! I'm also grateful to the folks at Music Theatre International and Jo Loesser who so graciously granted the rights to present this great American musical at the the Hollywood Bowl this summer."
One of the great Broadway musicals - this timeless tale of love between the morally-minded and the misguided, set on the streets of late 1940s New York that brought the famous Damon Runyon characters to life - has consistently attracted top talent and the Hollywood Bowl production is no exception.
The all-star cast features:
Brian Stokes Mitchell (Sky Masterson)
Jessica Biel (Sarah Brown)
Scott Bakula (Nathan Detroit)
Ellen Greene (Miss Adelaide)
Ken Page (Nicely-Nicely)
To be announced (Arvide Abernathy)
Ruth Williamson (Gen. Mathilde Cartwright)
Herschel Sparber (Big Jule)
Jason Graae (Benny Southstreet)
Bill Lewis (Harry the Horse)
Danny Stiles (Rusty Charlie)
Amir Talai (Angie the Ox/Joey Biltmore)
Jody Ashworth (Lt. Brannigan)
Cindy Benson (Agatha)
Grace Wall (Martha)
Hot Box Girls:
Kathryn Wright
Male Dancers:
Oskar Rodriguez
Stefan Raulson
Ensemble:David Raimo
Paul Dean
Josh Christoff
Kyrra Richards
Nikki Tomlinson
Creative Team:
Richard Jay-Alexander, Director
Kevin Stites, Musical Director
Donna McKechnie, Choreographer
Margery Simkin and Michael Donovan, Casting Directors
Evan Bartoletti and Lisa Lechuga, Set Designers
Tom Ruzika, Lighting Designer
Tommy Marquez, Costume Designer
Michael Moore, Wig & Hair Designer
Valerie Jackson, Hair & Makeup Designer
Kirk Graves, Props Coordinator
James Kinney, Associate Choreographer
Marciann Shapiro, Assistant Costume Designer
One of the musicals that defined the Golden Era of Broadway, Guys and Dolls, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, made its Broadway premiere in 1950, ran for 1200 performances, and won 15 Tony awards, including Best Musical. The show brought "Runyonland," the world of author Damon Runyon, to life - and did for those characters what "Spamalot" does for Monty Python or "Hairspray" does for the world of John Waters. Its score includes some of the most popular songs of the era including "I'll Know," "A Bushel and Peck," "If I Were A Bell," "Guys and Dolls," and "Luck Be a Lady."
These songs were completely integrated into the vibrant world of mid-century Broadway, pulsing with life - including two famed ballets - "Runyonland," which opens the show, and the show-stopping "Crapshooters' Ballet." Gamblers, proselytizers, showgirls, cops, and a large variety of eccentric characters - Harry the Horse, Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Benny Southstreet, Angie the Ox, and Big Jule - populate the story of two guys and two dolls. Sky Masterson, a big-time leading man whose name perfectly describes him, falls in love with plain Sarah Brown of the Salvation Army. The other doll is Miss Adelaide, the star of the revue at the Hot Box Club. Her guy, Nathan Detroit, runs the "oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York" and is always either looking for a place to hold the game, or running from Adelaide.
Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times, in a rave review, wrote "A musical play that Broadway can be proud of. Its highest achievement that it has preserved the friendly spirit of the Runyon literature...a gaudy, blowzy world that is warm and hospitable - and the most flamboyant population of any show in town." John Chapman in the Daily News said it is "a perfect musical comedy." Musical theatre historian Gerald Boardman in The American Musical Theatre called the show "one of the masterworks of the American Musical Theatre, a sassy, irreverent love poem of New York" and historian Steven Suskin said, Guys and Dolls received what might be the most unanimously ecstatic set of reviews in Broadway history.
It premiered on the big screen in 1955 starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine. A popular 1976 Broadway revival featured an entirely African American cast including Bowl cast member Ken Page. A 1992 Broadway revival directed by Jerry Zaks, brought the show alive for a new generation. Starring Peter Gallagher, Faith Prince, Nathan Lane and Josie de Guzman, this production was so celebrated that coverage of its opening was front page news in The New York Times. A current Broadway revival stars Oliver Platt, Lauren Graham, Craig Bierko and Kate Jennings Grant.
One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 42nd season. In January 2009, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the fifth year in a row at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.
Single Tickets ($28-$116) are on sale May 2 and tickets are also available as part of the 5 or more concert subscription at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, HollywoodBowl.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000
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