Williams Street Rep Showcases a Wide Range of Talent in GUYS AND DOLLS

WSR, McHenry County's only professional theater company, brings bouncy Broadway fun to downtown Crystal Lake!

Williams Street Repertory is proud to showcase a wide range of talent with their production of "Guys and Dolls." Broadway's bouncy, toe-tappingly fun musical about a couple of high-rolling gamblers and the strong-willed gals who love them runs select dates through July 23, 2017 at Raue Center For The Arts.

"This cast is the largest we have ever had on the Raue stage," says director and choreographer, Mark R. Mahallak.?* "Our show has Equity actors, newbies, college students studying theatre and seasoned professionals. This wide range of talent offers a director the opportunity to work with a myriad of personalities."

Among the myriad of unique personalities featured in WSR's "Guys and Dolls" are two former students from Raue Center's Sage Studio arts education program. Chris and Kelly Cunningham appear as Joey Biltmore and Mimi, respectively. A third Sage Studio alum, Kaylee Wyrostek, is backstage as a production assistant.

"As program manager for Sage Studio, I'm so proud to work alongside three students that came through my high school Musical Theatre Workshop, and I'm amazed by their work," says Sage Studio program manager, Amanda Flahive?*, who also appears as Adelaide in the production. "Sage has always been focused on training our students for careers in professional theatre, and I'm so fortunate that Chris, Kelly and Kaylee are back at the Raue putting the skills they learned into practice. This cast is the biggest we've ever assembled - filled with talent from across Chicagoland - and they fit into it seamlessly."

In addition to former Sage Studio students, "Guys and Dolls" also includes a collaboration with the McHenry County Youth Orchestra. The live band features several members of the program, many of whom are also area high school students.

The wide range of talent featured in WSR's "Guys and Dolls" also presented a unique challenge for Mahallak, leading him to up his creative game and zero in on the minute details of the show.

"Directing and choreographing a musical with wide range and scope, a great book and score which stand the test of time, difficult choreography and a large cast is not an easy task, but one made fulfilling by the work and commitment of all involved."

WSR's production of "Guys and Dolls" runs select dates through July 23, 2017 at Raue Center. For more information, visit wsrep.org.

Raue Center offers special seating arrangements and hearing devices for patrons with disabilities. Please call the box office at 815.356.9212 to make arrangements prior to the performance. Raue Center Box Office | 815.356.9212 | 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Mon-Sat | Open Sundays on performance days 1 hour prior to performance. Visit www.rauecenter.org for more.

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