Interview: All Bets Are Off! GUYS AND DOLLS Opens at Old Opera House

Take a gamble this weekend as Guys and Dolls, the classic Broadway musical comedy about gangsters, showgirls and mission workers comes to life on the Old Opera House stage.

Directed and choreographed by Caroline Cash and musically directed by Alison Shaffer, Guys and Dolls tells the story of two separate couples intertwined in New York City in the 1950's. Small time gangster, Nathan Detroit is in need of some cash to fund his "permanent floating crap game" and save up enough to marry his fiance, the showgirl Miss Adelaide (after being engaged for fourteen years). Nathan bets big time gangster, Sky Masterson, that Sky can't get straight-laced, religious mission worker, Sarah Brown, to go out on a date. Sparks fly when Sky seems to win the bet and convinces Sarah to accompany him to Havanna, Cuba, after realizing he may be the sucker after all as he falls in love with Sarah!

The cast enjoyed bringing this classic musical comedy and iconic characters to life.

"I loved working with the cast on this classic musical, and making it our own. Singing some of the most classic songs and bringing them to life makes me the happiest!" said Ed Conn, who plays Nicely-Nicely Johnson

"I have enjoyed so much of our rehearsal process. Caroline Cash, our director, challenges the cast to look deeper into their characters to promote an authentic performance" said Sari Jennings, who plays Mitzi, a Hot Box Girl

"I get to play a wonderful character, Benny Southstreet, one of Nathan Detroit's right hand men. Learning a character can seem so daunting initially. Then one day, it clicks and the character becomes a part of you, like he's always been there before. And the moment when everything clicks is just immensely satisfying. The next step, and most rewarding of all, is presenting it all to an audience, night after night" said Joey Thorne on playing Benny Southstreet

Cast members did face some challenges while working on Guys and Dolls however.

"It's challenging keeping the pacing and making sure that the audience feels that these characters are in 1950's New York City" said Conn

"The Hot Box Girls worked very hard to nail our dance routines. The dedication and teamwork has been inspiring. Because of the layout of the script, it has been challenging to run the show straight through. We've rehearsed in sections, which made for intense sessions, but now that we're running from start to finish, we find ourselves with a lot of down time between numbers or scenes. The challenge is getting into the flow of the show instead of continuously being on stage" said Sari Jennings

" The challenging factor is putting it all together in a short amount of rehearsal time!" said Gail Farmer, who plays General Matilda B. Cartwright

The cast and crew of Guys and Dolls are eager to bring the colorful cast of characters to life for audiences this weekend.

" Guys and Dolls is so much fun to watch or perform. This cast is tremendous and filled with very talented individuals" said Jennings

"This is a show full of great music and dance numbers. It's two love stories rolled into one and plenty of giggles to be had" said Farmer

" Guys and Dolls holds up just as strong at it did back in 1950. The songs are great, the characters are hilarious, and I can think of no better way to spend a night out (or a matinee) then by coming to see Guys and Dolls at the Old Opera House" said Thorne

Guys and Dolls also features Mike George as Rusty Charlie, Hope Wolford as Sarah Brown, Jack Brennan as Arvide Abernathy, Jen George as Martha - Mission Band, Julie Smith as Agatha - Mission Band, Adam Venham-Carter as Harry the Horse, Steven Brewer as Nathan Detroit, Christopher Godfrey as Angie the Ox, Pat Markland as Liver Lips Louie, Levi Bailey as Society Max, Christine Galante as Miss Adelaide, Jaymie Price as Sky Masterson, Charlie Perkins as Lt. Brannigan, Michael Stiles as Big Jule, Christine Brewer as Mimi - Hot Box Girl, Kelly Pannill as Kitty - Hot Box Girl and Abby Brown as Audrey - Hot Box Girl.

Guys and Dolls will run September 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 at the Old Opera House, located at 204 N. George Street, Charles Town, WV. Thursday performance is at 7:30, Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 PM and Sunday matinee performances are at 2:30 PM.. Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for students and seniors and $15 for children. Please call 304-725-4420 or visit www.oldoperahouse.org to make reservations.

Photo Credit: Old Opera House

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