IN Pine-Richland Summer 2019 | Page 16

INEVENTS PINE-RICHLAND ROCKS THE BOAT WITH ‘GUYS AND DOLLS’ Pine-Richland High School students took audiences back in time to 1950s New York City for several performances of the classic musical “Guys and Dolls” March 8, 9, 15 and 16. Regarded as one of the best musical comedies to ever hit the stage, “Guys and Dolls” ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950 and won the coveted Tony Award for Best Musical. With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, the musical is based on two short stories written by famed newsman and author Damon Runyon. It has had several successful Broadway and London revivals, as well as a 1955 film adaptation starring Marlon Brando, Gene Simmons and Frank Sinatra. “It’s such an upbeat, charming show about luck, love, and the foundation of dreams,” said Director Sarah McGraw. “It’s a humorous, energetic and touching story about the bright lights and shady back rooms of the Broadway underworld.” “Guys and Dolls” is a love story at heart. It features gambler Nathan Detroit, played by senior Seamus Daniello, who is always searching for the next venue for his floating crap game. But the authorities are on to him, making it very difficult to find a place willing to take the risk of hosting the game. Nathan’s fiancée and nightclub performer Adelaide, played by senior Amara Busa, grows increasingly frustrated because they have been engaged for 14 years. She spends a great deal of time fretting about whether to stick around, as it is affecting her health and well-being. In need of “dough” to secure a gambling venue, Nathan bets the notorious high- roller Sky Masterson, played by senior Tyler Hepler, that Sky can’t convince straight- laced missionary Sarah Brown, played by junior Meghan Wilson, to join him in Havana, Cuba, for dinner. Sky and Sarah, a most unlikely match, begin to fall in love with each other almost from the first moment they meet. The group is surrounded by a host of fun-loving characters, including Nathan’s loyal friend and lackey Nicely-Nicely Johnson, played by senior Declan Allwein. The cast included 56 Pine-Richland High School students, and the show featured a 26-member student orchestra and all-student stage crew. Producer Kathy Morrissey marveled at the students’ talent and their commitment to making the musical a spectacular production each year. PHOTOS BY PRIMETIME SHOTS 14 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com