THUNDER BAY — A classic golden era musical, “Guys and Dolls,” is coming to the Trinity Hall Theatre this week.
The musical comedy, presented by Applauze Productions, is based on characters and a story written by Damon Runyon.
It takes place in New York in the 1950s, following the stories of gamblers, kickline dancers and mission band players “all as they look for the perfect win.”
“If you’re a fan of the work of Amy Sherman-Palladino, who did (The) Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or Gilmore Girls, it’s got that snappy, wisecracking, fast-talking energy and this beautiful score,” said Thomas McDonald, the musical’s director and production designer.
“And there’s something for everyone. The costumes are a delight. The dancing is amazing, the band sounds phenomenal, the vocalists are hilarious and you’re going to leave with sore sides from laughing at the book. So, we are so lucky to be bringing this amazing musical to our Thunder Bay audience.”
The musical will run from June 25 to 28, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. — entry to the theatre is from Park Avenue and the tickets are $30.
Guests can watch every character, McDonald said, taking a gamble on finding their “perfect happy ending.”
Chris Jason, who plays Sky Masterson, a notorious high-rolling gambler, said Masterson is someone whose luck just never seems to run out: “He wins every time. That’s all he does.”
“Eventually, he meets up with a fellow gambler who is trying to organize a crap game,” explained Jason, “and he ends up making a bet that he can take a missionary — character Sarah — to Havana, (Cuba) and they end up going to Havana and hilarity ensues.”
This sequence, when they’re in Havana, he said, is one of two things alone worth the price of admission.
“Everybody’s on stage and it’s just so much fun to watch and everybody’s just doing an amazing job,” said Jason.
There’s also a number called Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat, he added.
“It’s so much fun to watch. I’m not in it (but) I would love to be in it because it’s so much fun... It’s very high energy, lots of moving around,” said Jason.
He said there are a lot of really fun and exciting big numbers.
Kyra Maki plays the role of Sgt. Sarah Brown, who is in charge of the Save-a-Soul Mission that has opened up in New York City and is trying to get gamblers and "sinners" to attend her weekly prayer meeting.
While having some difficulty reaching her goal, she explained that Brown meets someone with who she makes a proposition to get a bunch of gamblers to attend.
"It's about her trying to fulfill that, but also maintaining her morals," said Maki.
Maki agreed that one of her favourite songs on the show was also Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.
“It’s hilarious. It’s so funny the way that we’ve staged it and done it,” said Maki.
“So, I’m really excited for a lot of people to see it because it’s a nice twist on a classic song that most people will know from the show.”
Alongside these performances is a live score played by a band at the back of the stage.
McDonald said they are so lucky to have a live band playing this "beautiful classic score."
“We have eight amazing musicians led by Danny Johnson playing this classic score that features songs that are familiar for folks like Luck Be a Lady, Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat, (A) Bushel and a Peck and some amazing golden era classics,” said McDonald.
He encourages guests to come early to get a good seat.
“You might want to bring a cushion... because the seats are a little tough, but it’s well worth it,” said McDonald.
