BWW Reviews: The Keeton's GUYS AND DOLLS

Is there anything more magical or more transformative than live theater? Honestly, I can't think of anything which can take you from the depths of despair to the fanciful heights of imagination so quickly - and there certainly is no art form in which things can change so capriciously or quicker, either for good or bad.

Take The Larry Keeton Theatre's production of Guys and Dolls, for example, directed by Ginger Newman and choreographed by Cary Street. Featuring one of musical theater's most beloved scripts and scores, it's a surefire winner any time it's revived onstage (well, save for that one Broadway revival with Lorelai Gilmore aka Lauren Graham as Miss Adelaide that was pretty much laid waste to by critics) and it takes a hefty amount of flotsam to halt the show. Case in point: Earlier this week, a scant 24-plus hours before opening night at the theater in Donelson, a leading player had to drop out of the production due to family matters beyond his control and a search was on for a last-minute replacement for the role of Sky Masterson.

Luckily, for Newman and Street - and the remaining three members of the show's quartet of stars, Jenny Norris-Light, Hallie Long and Brian Best - Tyler Osborne was just a phone call away and, in just over 24 hours, the show opened on-time and in-place for what is sure to be a successful run that audiences are, frankly, going to love. Now, that's live theater for you, with all the magic and creativity of which you could dream. On a whim, it seems, circumstances can change, a new window opening when a door closes.

Osborne is a ridiculously talented actor/singer who has delighted audiences, directors and critics alike in such recent appearances as Circle Players' Ragtime the Musical in which his Younger Brother was of particular note, and in Pull-Tight Players' Catch Me If You Can in which he played Frank Abagnale Jr. to acclaim. On opening night of this particular Guys and Dolls, his Sky Masterson wasn't quite jelled just yet, but it was easy to see how ideal the role is for the actor and the actor is for the role. His songs sounded polished ("Look Be A Lady" never sounded so good) and he was this close to being off-book - after only one rehearsal, which was also the final dress rehearsal. It's pretty staggering when you consider how off-the-tracks the production might have been in lesser hands.

Osborne is paired winningly with Norris-Light, who plays Sarah Brown with confidence and focus. The two have an easy chemistry that is reinforced by their beautifully sung musical performances like "I've Never Been in Love" before at the end of Act One that's lovelier than ever.

Long, a musical theater student at Belmont University, is thoroughly committed as Miss Adelaide, delivering her musical numbers with an easy charm that fits the score and the role perfectly. Playing opposite her as Nathan Detroit is Brian Best who, quite frankly and not so coincidentally, is at his best in the showy role that allows him to perform his heart out. "Sue Me" is completely delightful thanks to the shared passion for theater from the two of them.

Supporting players in Newman's ensemble are well-cast and on-target, including Earl Landree as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Howard Snyder as Benny Southstreet, Connor Weaver as Harry the Horse, Tim Bush as Lt. Brannigan, Cary Street as General Cartwright and Terry McLemore as Arvide. Miss Adelaid's Hot-Box Girls - Sydni Hayes, Melissa Husebo, Tara LaHue and Marne Matysek - are terrific, oftentimes doubling as crap-shooting lowlifes when they aren't dancing and singing their hearts out.

Jacob Street's set and lighting design, which incorporates some nifty period-piece projections, lend to the show's overall success, while Tanis Westbrook's costumes clothe the characters with Broadway realism.

• Guys and Dolls. Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. Book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling. Directed and music directed by Ginger Newman. Choreographed by Cary Street. Produced by Larry Keeton and Jamie London. Presented by The Larry Keeton Theatre, Donelson. Through June 20. For details, go to www.thelarrykeetontheatre.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.