BWW Reviews: GUYS AND DOLLS - Another Hit for Musical Theater Heritage in Kansas City

Guys and Dolls, featuring a number of the finest guys and dolls in Kansas City performing arts, opened on Saturday night at the Musical Theater Heritage of Crown Center. Sarah Crawford directs the musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, and a pre-show talk by Executive Director George Harter. Guys and Dolls is based on two short stories, "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure" by Damon Runyan.

Originally conceived as a musical drama its direction changed as the first version written by Swerling was deemed not useable. After looking at the songs already written by Loesser, Burrows revised the script as a comedy. Guys and Dolls opened on Broadway in 1950 and ran for 1200 performances, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical. Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Frank Sinatra starred in the 1955 film adaptation.

Guys and Dolls is the story of gangsters, gambling, and love. Adelaide loves Nathan Detroit, who she has been engaged to for 14 years. Nathan Detroit says he loves Adelaide, but his true love is the game of craps. Sarah a soul saver meets Sky Masterson, a gambler with a bet that he can get her to go to Cuba with him. With a roll of the dice, the four lives come together, but will they find true love or just crap out.

Lauren Braton is fantastic in the role of Sarah, the woman who feels as though she has failed to convert sinners to the mission that her grandfather runs. Braton brings a powerful stage presence to the theater, her voice blending beautifully with Christopher Sanders, starring as Sky Masterson. As Braton and Sanders perform "Never Been in Love Before," a special magic fills the stage and a new meaning is given to the "Wow" factor. Braton has appeared at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre (KC Rep), the Unicorn Theatre, and Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City among others.

Christopher Sanders is fabulous as Sky Masterson, the out-of-town gambler who meets Sarah on a bet. Sanders powerful resonating vocals alone are worth the price of admission. I have become a fan since I first watched him as Emile in Musical Theater Heritage's production of South Pacific. Sanders has appeared with Carol Lawrence, Roddy McDowell, Debbie Boone, and George Hearn among others. His CD "Curtain Call" is available on iTunes.

Adelaide springs to life through the enormous talents of Leah Swank-Miller. Her marvelous accent takes you to the streets of New York Bronx every time she speaks. "Adelaide's Lament" in the first act and "Adelaide's Second Lament" in Act II are two of my favorite songs from the show. She has previous appeared in Oliver and Sunday in the Park . . . with Musical Theater Heritage.

Daniel Boothe returns to Musical Theater Heritage as Nathan Detroit, the craps game entrepreneur and fiancé of Adelaide. Boothe gives a strong performance, proving his comedic timing and fine vocals. Boothe previously appeared in South Pacific at MTH and he has been a long-time performer at the Improv Olympic in Chicago.

Appearing in two numbers with Adelaide are the Hot Box Girls played by Sarah Kennedy, Beth Benedict, Erin Fox, Jamie Lin, Mindy Moritz, Maycee Steele, and Kyra Weinberger. Other cast members include Justin Barron, Jeff Berger, Elizabeth Birger, Andy Garrison, Bob Linebarger, Marilyn Lynch, Paul Morel, Zachary Parker, Hank Rector, Andrew Schmidt, and Royce Strider. Jeremy Watson plays piano and conducts the band consisting of Erik Blume on reeds, Chris White on trombone, Ry Kincaid on bass, Tim Thomas on trumpet, and Ron Ernst on percussion.

You do not want to miss these Guys and Dolls at the Musical Theater Heritage of Crown Center now playing through April 19. Purchase tickets at 816-221-6987 or visit the Musical Theater Heritage website.

Photo courtesy of Musical Theater Heritage.

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