Guys and Dolls

By Carl Bookstein

Adelaide, played so well here by Erin Johnson, Tom Pagano as Nathan Detroit, Patrick Lane as Sky Masterson, Sarah Noble as Sister Sarah Brown, and Alexander Cousins as Nicely-Nicely Johnson- these are the wonderful characters who populate Nicely Theatre Group's latest theatrical entertainment, Guys and Dolls, and it is a good one indeed.

At the opening of this cherished musical, the overture ensues with pomp and circumstance. "Luck be a Lady Tonight" is ringing out. At the play's opening, great dancers hit the stage- coming from every angle and out of the woodwork- the effect is over the top. Tap dancers and everything. "I got the horse right here. His name is Paul Revere."

Sister Sarah Brown enters the production. "Hear me, you gamblers. The greatest punishment awaits you. Repent. Resist the devil." 

Then, the scene shifts to Nathan Detroit, with everyone talking and looking for action. Everybody is looking for the crap game. "Good old reliable Nathan, Nathan Detroit" with singing about "the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York."

Sky Masterson is the highest player, trying to take sister Sarah Brown to Havana on a bet. It is all charm and seduction. He wants to win her over by providing sinners for her mission. "I owe you one dozen sinners," Sky proclaims. Sister Sarah has a great singing voice- great pipes.

The assorted mini melodramas unfold. Nathan Detroit has been engaged to Adelaide for 14 years—he still won’t commit to marriage. Nathan is earnest, but his greatest love seems to be for the floating crap game.

All roles here are so well played. Nicely-Nicely Johnson is purely charming—quirky but loveable character, one and all. Mitch Master's direction seems flawless. This wonderful evening of entertainment- the classic musical Guys and Dolls by the always first-rate Nicely Theatre Group comes highly recommended.

Five shows only July 13-14 and 19-21 at the Berman Center for Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. For tickets, click here.