The first weekend of May, the guys and dolls of Woodland drama club will be bringing “Guys and Dolls” to their stage.
“Guys and Dolls” follows the story of Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson as they participate in a bet for $1000 as Detroit needs to afford a place for his crap game, against the wishes of his fiance, Adelaide. The show is based on the story and characters of Damon Runyon, the music and lyrics were first composed by Frank Loesser and the book was written by Jo Sweling and Abe Burrows.
The role of Nathan Detriot will be portrayed by Evan Moore, senior, and the role of Adelaide will be portrayed by Hannah Semrow, senior. Moore and Semrow are taking on these roles for a second time as their Long River Middle School’s production of “Guys and Dolls Jr.” was short-lived due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Another student who was supposed to be in the 2020 production at the middle school is Claire Cummings, playing the role of Benny Southstreet.
“It’s nice to come back with a new spirit and new cast who have their own heart in it,” said Cummings. “In the past, no one cared about the show, especially because everyone was worried about the epidemic.”
The show will feature impressive choreography and staging by Jillian Jackman, director and choreographer. The 33 musical numbers of the show will be rehearsed continuously for the next six weeks until opening night.
The group will be in rehearsals from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays and an occasional rehearsal on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
“Scheduling and timing has been our greatest obstacle,” said Jackman. “But I’m confident we will put on a wonderful production.”
Musical director, Ian Youngs, is confident in the work done by students thus far. The most difficult number for the group has been “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.”
“The harmonies are hard because everyone is singing something different,” said Michaela Darrah, portraying a Hot Box Girl.
“Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” will feature the crapshooters, Jeffery Guluzy, Jimmy Schwarz, Jacob Savoy, Jaylen Goodall, and Ryan Deptula, as well as the mission folk, Lily Rosenblum, Zoe Kindt, Runiyah Albino, and Dylan Tyrrell. The mission will be led by Casey Mulvihill portraying Sarah Brown. Her scene partner, Connor Doughney, will be portraying Sky Masterson.
Other members of the cast include Rebecca Armstrong, Abigail Diamante, Darrah and Kindt as the Hot Box Girls, Reese Fernandes as Harry the Horse, Isabella Peralta as Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Jamie Misuraca as Rusty Charlie, Logan Bernier as Lieutenant Brannigan, and Elijiah Nastu as Joey Biltmore and the Hot Box’s M.C.
With a full cast of 23 students, this is Woodland’s largest production to date.
Tech will be led by Hannah Mudry, stage manager, and Meghan Geary serves as dramaturg.
“Guys and Dolls” will be performed May 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the Woodland Regional High School’s auditorium.
