Interview: Surfside Players' Bryan Bergeron Chats GUYS AND DOLLS

There are few titles in the American Musical cannon that are as beloved as GUYS AND DOLLS. The show about loveable gangsters and gamblers in 1920s and 30s New York has been thrilling audiences around the world since 1950. With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, GUYS AND DOLLS is often held up beside MY FAIR LADY and GYPSY as the epitome of the musical theatre artform.

Based on a collection of enchanting short stories by legendary writer Damon Runyon, GUYS AND DOLLS follows the relationships of Nathan Detroit, who runs a floating crap game, and Miss Adelaide, a showgirl, who have been engaged for 14 years, and high-stakes gambler Sky Masterson and Sergeant Sarah Brown, who runs a local mission. Despite their obvious differences, Sky and Sarah have instantaneous chemistry.

Beginning Friday, January 22nd, the Surfside Players in Cocoa Beach will mount a production of the classic musical, helmed by director Bryan Bergeron. Recently, I had the chance to exchange emails with Bergeron to discuss the show:

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BWW: GUYS AND DOLLS is considered by many to be the perfect musical, and is performed regularly around the country. What is it about this show that continues to captivate audiences over 65 years after it debuted?

Bryan Bergeron: First off, it's a given that the writing is excellent. The dialogue and music flow seamlessly together and somehow even appeals to theatregoers that don't prefer musicals.

On a different level, I believe that the story construction is universal and very familiar. In real life, we deal with relationships in two primary ways; first, boy meets girl, boy wants girl, boy gets girl. Of course this can also translate as girl meets boy, girl wants boy... you get the idea.

The second universal stage of romantic-being relates to living within an existing relationship. In Guys and Dolls, both of these realities are explored and exploited for the sake of comedy and drama. In essence, there's something for everyone. Now take these sentiments and add our infatuations with the "outlaw" and the "preacher's daughter," mix in some lovable supporting characters, and a treasured American musical is born.

At the heart of the show is two romantic couples, with each character very different from the next. Can you tell me a little bit, either individually or collectively, about the actors playing Sky, Sarah, Nathan, and Adelaide?

The actors are playing very different iconic archetypes. There is little similarity between the actor and the role each plays. These four principal players are fabulously adept at their craft and each, in his or her own way, takes the strongly written text and crafts a clear rendering for the stage; Sky (Damon Dennin), a worldly womanizer, motivated by self-interest and a strong belief in bachelorhood; Sarah (Ember Everett), a preacher's daughter, ever fighting off any internal passions that may surface. Her standards are so high that she is destined to live a life of celibacy. Adelaide (Becky Behl-Hill) is a show girl seeking traditional domestic bliss, and lastly, Nathan (Jack Maloney), a husband like character, who ironically avoids marriage but is devoted to the love of his life.

In addition to the leads, the cast for this production is nearly 40 people strong. There are obviously both benefits and drawbacks to working with a group of actors that size. How has the process been working with such a large ensemble?

I've always seen it as an "outside-in" type of process. You work with the big picture, and then gently massage the show into something more manageable. Of course it's only possible with the help of a great production staff and you absolutely rely on the talents of your co-directors.

The Surfside Players have been around nearly as long as "Guys and Dolls," why does this organization continue to serve a vital function for the citizens of Brevard County six decades after opening?

Surfside, at its earliest conception, was put together as a community theatre. It stands true to the characteristics of what the word "community" stands for.

We are a unique culture created from a very traditional theatre model. The Surfside founders and the current Board of Directors strictly adhere to a simple and non-pretentious formula: put butts in seats, keep the lights on, do shows...and make sure that both the audience and the performers have a meaningful experience.

Of course there's a lot of stage craft that goes into this, but having a simple and clear prime directive has kept us true to our mission. This is what keeps the doors open season after season.

If you could sum up in three words the experience of seeing "Guys and Dolls," what would those words be?

"Seven!... You win!"

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What is your favorite memory of Sky and Miss Sarah? Let me know in the comments below, or by "Liking" and following BWW Orlando on Facebook and Twitter by using the buttons below. You can also chat with me about the show on Twitter @BWWMatt. If you want to follow along with my "366 in 366" articles, you can check out #BWW366in366 on Twitter.

Banner Image: Damon Dennin. Photo Credit: Leslie McGinty | Surfside Players

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