Guys and Dolls
at Herndon High School

Reviewed on April 22, 2017

Lauren Miller
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

"Rocking the boat" with its timeless comedy and memorable orchestrations since its initial Broadway debut in 1950, Frank Loesser's "Guys and Dolls" has become a pinnacle of classical musical theatre. Set in a sin-filled, mid-twentieth century New York City, the show follows the unlikely pairs Sky Masterson (Kishan Rao) and Sarah Brown (Erin Maxwell) and Nathan Detroit (Jordan Rees) and Miss Adelaide (Allie Lytle) as they struggle to balance the contradicting forces of duty, love, and ambition. Taking on the challenging production as their spring musical, Herndon High School brought refreshing light to the aged tale with professionalism and poise.

Opening the show with energy and personality through commitment and confidence, ensembles quickly established the divides in the story between the "guys" and "dolls" with powerful group dynamics that would remain consistent throughout the remainder of the production. Despite common blocking issues that made it difficult to see a great portion of actors on stage, whether in large dance sequences such as "The Crapshooter's Dance" or smaller scale numbers such as "A Bushel and a Peck," the two major ensembles masterfully kept the story moving and engaging with expert group relationships and boldness.

Standout performers in the gamblers ("guys") ensemble such as Big Jule (RJ Mosuela), Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Vaheed Ali Talebian), and Harry the Horse (Trace Hollenbeck) led their counterparts with engaging comedic timing and impressive vocals which succeeded in bringing new life to aged classics such as "Guys and Dolls" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat."

Highlighting the talent of the ensembles were able technical aspects and a strong, coordinated pit orchestra. Despite consistent lighting and microphone issues along with occasional loss of tempo from the pit, such problems were more than made up for by professionalism because all involved worked swiftly to keep the difficult show running smoothly.

In spite of strength from ensembles and featured actors, it was the four leads that stood out above all others in every aspect of their performances. Each of the two couples fostered endearing chemistry that allowed for exceptional development of character and story. Rao and Rees as the two male leads captured both the seriousness and vulnerability of, respectively, Masterson and Detroit with their strong senses of character in numbers such as "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sue Me". Maxwell, as one of the two female leads, brought charisma and heart to her uptight character with a well-developed range and outstanding chemistry with co-stars in standout songs "Marry the Man Today" and "Havana."

However, it was Allie Lytle as Miss. Adelaide, the shrill yet lovable performer who had been regrettably engaged (but not yet married) to the devilish bachelor Nathan Detroit for fourteen years, who made Herndon High's "Guys and Dolls" a truly memorable experience. Her consistent charm and character quirks made her the center of attention in every scene she appeared, and her distinguished vocals in "Adelaide's Lament," and "Adelaide's Second Lament," and "Sue Me" were equally captivating to her hilarious character movement and choices.

Luck was a lady in Herndon's "Guys and Dolls," and the production will not be soon forgotten.

A.Charis Conwell
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

What do you get when you combine a missionary, a showgirl, two gamblers, a floating crap game, and a bet on love?
The classic Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls.
Both a romantic comedy and a cautionary tale on the dangers of gambling, Guys and Dolls follows Sky Masterson, who, under the influence of local craps ringleader Nathan Detroit, bets that he can take "any doll in the world" to Havana that evening- including the stern missionary, Sarah Brown. Hilarity, drama, and dance routines ensue.
Herndon High School's production of Guys and Dolls was nothing short of classic. With the help of an impressive student orchestra and a wealth of hat boxes (provided courtesy of Herndon's props department), audiences were transported to 1950s New York, where drunks topple in the streets, and a battle is raging for the souls of men and women everywhere. From instrumental numbers like "Runyonland" in the beginning of the show, to the hot tempos of "Havana", to soulful laments like "Sue Me", Herndon's orchestra consistently allowed space for the characters and story to shine, while smoothing transitions and pulling the audience into the winner-takes-all-world of Sky and Nathan.
Music, in all its forms, is fundamental to a musical, and its necessity is most obvious in the vocals of the cast themselves. It is through song that plot, passion, and personality are shown, and the cast of Guys and Dolls certainly delivered. There were, however, certain vocalists, like Kishan Rao (as Sky Masterson) and Vaheed Ali Talebian (as Nicely-Nicely Johnson), who stood out from their peers in a very positive way. Allie Lytle, as Miss Adelaide, manipulated her voice, physicality, and even accent in a way that made every song with her character not only pretty, but engaging and entertaining. A devotion to character, coupled with the technical skills to pull her character off, made Lytle's flouncy showgirl a highlight of the night.
Much of what made Herndon High School's production so engaging was the skill of its cast as comic actors. While the script itself must be credited to Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, even a hilarious line, poorly delivered, can fall flat. However, Herndon's cast never missed a beat. Each of the many comedic moments of the show was given its fair due, and delivered with an excellent eye for timing and purpose. From unexpected one-liners delivered by Arvide Abernathy (Carter Frederickson), to consistently humorous characters like Big Jule (RJ Mosuela), the comedy was delivered with hilarious sincerity. In terms of comic consistency, Jordan Rees (as Nathan Detroit) won hearts and minds with his endearingly well-meaning portrayal of a small-time criminal. In terms of comedy by contrast, where scenes are made funnier by the audience's knowledge of a character's serious side, Erin Maxwell, portraying a blissfully loose Sarah Brown, elicited more than a surprised giggle or two.
As a high school production, and as a production in general, Herndon High School's Guys and Dolls created a show worth seeing. Whether a guy or a doll, a gambler or a missionary, married or bachelor, there is something in this show for everyone.

Syona Ayyankeril
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

What happens when a high-rolling gambler falls in love with an evangelical missionary? Find out at Herndon High School's charming and comedic production of "Guys and Dolls."

With a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, "Guys and Dolls" premiered on Broadway in 1950, won the Tony Award for "Best Musical," and has since seen multiple revivals and a film adaption starring Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. "Guys and Dolls" is a romantic comedy based on the writings of Damon Runyon and follows the story of two unlikely couples attempting to navigate their differences in 1950's New York City.

The show opens as crap-game manager Nathan Detroit struggles to find a new location for his notorious game under the radar of both the law and of Miss Adelaide, his fiancé of 14 years who is a show girl dreaming of family life in the country. In order to secure the money for a location, he tricks gambler Sky Masterson into a making a bet that he could take a missionary named Sargent Sarah Brown to Havana, Cuba with him for dinner. Jordan Rees and Allie Lytle played the roles of Nathan and Adelaide, taking the stage with unfaltering comedic timing and chemistry as both a couple and as individual characters. Lytle's Adelaide was the perfect balance of obnoxious and endearing, and her performance was enhanced by her strong voice and hilarious physical choices. Rees proved to be not only a charismatic actor, but also a strong singer and dancer, shining especially in "The Crapshooter's Dance" and "Sue Me."

Erin Maxwell and Kishan Rao starred as Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson with a sweet romantic chemistry and strong character arcs as they unexpectedly fall in love after Sky takes Nathan's seemingly impossible bet. Maxwell displayed great versatility, carrying herself with poise as the upright missionary as well as humorously letting loose after accidentally drinking too much Bacardi at the café in Havana. Rao's Sky Masterson was charming and suave with a smooth voice that was highlighted in songs such as "Luck Be a Lady."

The show featured an engaging ensemble that worked really well as a unified group and also in their distinct smaller units. There were quite a few impressive dancers who were heavily featured in the Hot Box, the Havana sequence, and the crap-game. Standouts in the cast included RJ Mosuela as the comedic gangster Big Jule, Shelby Clegg as the no-nonsense Joey Biltmore, and Vaheed Ali Talebian (Nicely-Nicely Johnson) and Ryan Muha (Benny Southstreet), who were a strong vocal duo in the song "Guys and Dolls."

In addition to giving energetic performances, the actors worked well with tech elements such as props and helped execute smooth transitions between scenes. The production also featured an impressive student orchestra that gave a strong opening and closing to the show and blended well with the vocalists.

The gifted cast and crew at Herndon High School gave a thoroughly enjoyable performance with talented actors and an uproarious energy. In addition to being a well-executed production, Herndon High School's "Guys and Dolls" was also an amusing and heartwarming reminder of the nature of romance and the antics that "guys" everywhere are willing to take on for the "dolls" that they love.

Devin Lucas
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Looking for rousing, entertaining, and hilarious night out? Come over to Herndon High School and journey into the world of 1950s New York City, where gamblers run amok in the night and missionaries sweep the streets for sinners.

Based on several of the short stories of Damon Runyon, "Guys and Dolls" tells the rollicking and of two notorious gamblers attempting (and sometimes failing) to change for the women they love. "Guys and Dolls". with a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, first premiered on Broadway in 1950 to critical and public acclaim. Since then, it has won the Tony Award for Best Musical, been adapted into a 1955 movie, and been revived throughout the US and the UK.

With shining lights, a love story full of spontaneity and mayhem, and a strong reputation as a classic musical, "Guys and Dolls" can be quite a difficult show to take on. The students at Herndon High School, however, approached it with gusto, taking on this beast of a show and turning out a night of fun for all.

The shining star of this production was found in Allie Lytle, who portrayed the character of Miss Adelaide, a showgirl at the Hot Box and 14-year fiancé of Nathan Detroit. From the moment Lytle entered the stage, she carried her character with the perfect balance of enthusiasm, accent, showgirl flair, and genuine feeling. Her even and fantastic vocals shone in tandem with her acting, and she struck a perfect balance, acting every nuance of her character. Alongside her, Jordan Rees played the character of Nathan Detroit, a man who runs a crap-shoot ring, with charm, comedic timing, and excellent dancing. His excellent comedic timing kept the audience laughing, his vocals were sweet and sure, and his dancing, shown especially in the "Crapshooters' Ballet" added to his character and performance fantastically.

Other excellent performances were delivered by actors such as Erin Maxwell and Kishan Rao. Maxwell, who played Sarah Brown, a devout missionary set on saving the souls of New York, played her character with the perfect combination of comedy, up-tightness, and sweetness. Her high and clear vocals were impressive and her character development was well-timed and thought out. Rao, who portrayed the character of Sky Masterson, a notorious gambler, approached the role with charm, heart, and smooth vocals. Together, the two were a convincing and sweet couple who worked well together and made every scene funny and heartfelt.

Although the show was excellent, there were a few overall weaknesses that, although not unique in high school theatre, affected the show. Tech issues were the most notable, with mic blips, inconsistent spotlights, and random occurrences of the house lights coming up. The ensemble, though incredibly and notably consistent with their blocking and choreography, sometimes lacked the energy needed for the most rousing numbers of the show.

That said, the strong performances, clear vocals, and fantastic staging of this show outweighed any weaknesses. The lights were bright, the characters strong, the plot convincing and engaging, and my heart full.

Mandip Bhadra
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Herndon High School's production of New York themed Guys and Dolls was a classic taste of metropolitan comedy mixed with smooth songs and charming characters. If you are someone who itches for a glimpse at the controlled chaos of the Big Apple, Herndon High's production is perfect for you.

Guys and Dolls is a musical based in New York City during the 1920's. After gambler Nathan Detroit decides that he wants to host a large craps game in order to score a profit, he makes a bet with the rich and charismatic Sky Masterson for 1000 dollars in order to rent a space for the game. This bet involves Sky taking missionary Sarah Brown to Cuba, and if this guy can get any "doll" he wants, which sets up an entertaining story!

Jordan Rees, playing Nathan Detroit, did an excellent job with the New York accent, and his clever choice of voice inflection really emphasized the show's comedy. Rees employed very good comedic timing and always energized the scenes he was in. Allie Lytle, playing Miss Adelaide, Nathan's girlfriend, also embodied the character in a way which charmed the audience to no end. Lytle did a great job of balancing the character's shrillness with her endearing side, and made the character extremely likable and funny. Her vocals were extremely controlled and she put a lot of her character into her physicality and tone.

Kishan Rao, playing Sky Masterson, was as suave as you would imagine a high profile New York gambler to be. His charming voice was soothing and fit the genre of music extremely well, and he had a good grasp on the character's physicality and tone. Erin Maxwell, playing missionary Sarah Brown, also embodied the character extremely well, and her operatic singing fit her conservative character. She did an amazing job of hitting the notes that were hard to reach, and a scene where she begins to relax was especially entertaining.

The ensemble of the gamblers was very well put together, and their physical comedy added a lot to the show. Even when they did not have lines, every one of them remained in character and made the ensemble seem like a group of guys that had known each other for a long time; it was very genuine. Their dancing, along with the Hot Box Girls, was also extremely impressive.

Although there were some sound issues at the beginning of the show, most of these problems resolved themselves. Herndon High School's production of Guys and Dolls is a charming show with a touch of that smooth but hectic New York comedy.

Emma Shacochis
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Blow on your dice and give a lucky roll – there's triumph spilling from the stage at Herndon High School's "Guys and Dolls".

Guys and Dolls, with book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, is based on Damon Runyon's short stories from the 1920's. Opening on Broadway in 1950, Guys and Dolls was awarded the Tony for Best Musical as well as the 1951 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; since, it has had three revival runs as well as four productions in London.

Jordan Rees plays Nathan Detroit, the head of New York's best floating craps game. Fast-talking, and stuck with an unfortunate habit of ending up in rough situations, Rees is hilarious and energetic in numbers like "The Oldest Established".

A frequenter of the game, Sky Masterson, is played with dashing wit, and later thoughtful tenderness, by Kishan Rao. In "Luck Be a Lady", Rao shows off his smooth vocals as he rolls the dice to win the game.

The object of Sky's affections is Erin Maxwell's Sarah Brown, a do-gooder out to end sins such as gambling and drinking. Maxwell shines both while showing piety in "I'll Know", and then a looser side in "If I Were a Bell".

Allie Lytle plays Nathan's fiancee of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide, a Hot Box dancer with waning patience in her fiancé. Lytle, especially in her numbers "Adelaide's Lament" and her duet with Sarah, "Marry the Man Today", is engaging, sympathetic, and wonderfully nasally.

One of Nathan's fellow gamblers Vaheed Ali Talebian's Nicely-Nicely Johnson, is utterly amusing in "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat", where he repents his sins; and RJ Mosuela's Big Jule, a gun-toter from Chicago, is intimidating as well as entertaining. Sarah's grandfather and fellow mission worker, Arvide Abernathy, is charmingly affectionate in his song "More I Cannot Wish You", where he convinces Sarah to follow her heart.

The ensemble proves energized in each scene, especially the opening, "Runyonland", filling the busy streets of New York City. The Hot Box Girls and Havana Dancers move with vigor and zest, while the Gamblers are precise and dashing in "The Crapshooter's Dance", a sewer-set romp. Isatu Fofanah, one of the Hot Box Girls, steals her brief scene, obliviously provoking an argument between Nathan and Adelaide.

Amelia Wear and Mary Clauss' props are technical standout – used in all of the scenes, from the Save-A-Soul Missionaries' Bibles, the newspapers that gamblers take bets with, and hatboxes toted through city streets.

The Herndon Pit Orchestra is bursting with joy through each number, from the soft romance of "I've Never Been in Love Before" to the vibrant "Havana".

Whether you're a crapshooter Guy or a mission Doll, Herndon High School's "Guys and Dolls" is a sparkling performance – one you'll feel safe betting your chips on.