GUYS AND DOLLS, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy featuring one of the great musical scores in the history of American theatre, comes to Theatre at the Center, September 15 through October 16, 2011. The press performance will be Sunday, September 18 at 7 p.m. Artistic Director William Pullinsi will direct the production. When GUYS AND DOLLS opened on Broadway in 1950, it became one of the great successes of Broadway history, running for 1,200 performances and winning five Tony Awards including Best Musical. It was subsequently made into the beloved film starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.
Based on Damon Runyon's fabulous stories of Broadway and set in his mythical New York City, this romantic comedy - considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy - introduces audiences to a cast who have become legends in the musical theatre world. Frank Loesser's toe-tapping score, including fan-favorites such as "Luck Be a Lady," "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat," and "I've Never Been In Love Before" is the perfect music to complement Runyon's colorful characters.
Famed critic Walter Kerr wrote of the 1955 Broadway revival - "Guys and Dolls is one of the most exhilarating musicals ever written for the American Theatre." It answers the important questions in life, like: Will Nathan Detroit ever marry his fiancée of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide? Will Nathan elude 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? And, of course, does Mindy's sell more strudel or cheesecake?
The cast of GUYS AND DOLLS stars TATC favorite Norm Boucher as "Nathan Detroit;' Angie Stemberg as "Miss Adelaide"; Robert Hunt as "Sky Masterson", and Caroline Kobylarz as "Sergeant Sarah Brown". The top-notch supporting cast is led by J. Chris Baum as "Nicely-Nicely", Frank J. Paul as "Benny Southstreet", Brian Rabinowitz as "Lt. Brannigan", Peter Verdico as "Big Jule", Stephen M. Genovese as "Harry the Horse", Jim Sherman as "Arvide Abernathy", and Kathleen Gibson as "the General". The large cast of singers and dancers includes Chris Carter, Ben Kirberger, Scott Stratton, Nicole Miller, Megan Simmons, Amy Orman, Loren Connell, Zach Zube and Janell Rinne.
The Artistic Team, led by Artistic Director of Theatre at the Center William Pullinsi, features choreography by Linda Fortunato, and Musical Direction and Orchestrations by William A. Underwood. The design team includes Scenic Designer Jack Magaw, Lighting Designer Denise Karczewski, Sound Designer Rick Sims, Costume Designer Brenda Winstead, Wig Designer Kevin Barthel, and Props Designer Libby Fandrei. The Stage Manager is John Grant Phillips, the Assistant Stage Manager is Robert Hildreth, the Technical Director is Ann Davis and TATC's General Manager is Richard Friedman.
Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is Located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, and has free parking.
Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; and select Thursday evening and Saturday matinees. Individual ticket prices range from $36 - $40. To purchase individual tickets call the Box Office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552 . Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more and gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions, are also available. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit
TheatreAtTheCenter.com.
Kathleen Campbell Gibson, Janell Rinne and Nicole Miller
John Phillips and Brian Rabinowitz
Jim Sherman and Peter Verdico
Frank J. Paul and Loren Connell
Chris Carter and Zach Zube
Caroline Kobylarz, Megan Simmons and Angie Stemberg
Caroline Kobylarz and Amy Orman
Benjamin Kirberger and J. Chris Baum
Ethan Deppe, Ken Mack, Jean Hoffman, William Underwood, Diane Hansen and Randy Glancy
Stephen M. Genovese, Norm Boucher and Scott Stratton
William Pullinsi, Linda Fortunato, Robert Hunt and Robert Hildreth
William Underwood and William Pullinsi