Guys and Dolls
at Glenelg Country

Reviewed on February 27, 2020

Leslie Robinson
Severna Park
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theatre Guide

What can you do when the chips are down, and you feel like the stakes are against you? If you're looking for something to brighten your spirit, it's a sure thing that "Guys and Dolls" at Glenelg Country School will deliver!

This 1951 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical features a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows with toe-tapping music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, with never a dull moment throughout the show. The story follows a group of gamblers who are trying to find a place for their high stakes crap game in prohibition-era Manhattan. Doing their best to steer them in the right direction are the righteously uptight members of the Save-a-Soul Mission. Toss in a showgirl with a permanent cold who's been trying to get married for 14 years, and odds are you've got a winning ticket!

As the overture began with the cast in a dramatic silhouette, the audience was transported into the busy streets alive with the hustle and bustle of daily city life. The cast's professionalism shone through while passionately persisting through minor sound hiccups. Their energetic pantomime was captivating, perfectly building anticipation for the drama to unfold. Similarly, Miss Adelaide's Hot Box Girls were vivacious, their sizzling dance numbers a refreshing complement to the primary plotline.

Izzy DeBonis perfectly captured the winsome Miss Adelaide with her endearing rendition of "A Bushel and a Peck." Her humor and genuine appeal kept the audience sympathetic towards her plight and firmly rooting for her long-awaited marriage. Her fiancé, the charismatic Nathan Detroit, was excellently portrayed by Alejandro Flores-Chévere who personified his character in songs like "Sue Me." Gavin Gundersen as Sky Masterson was the ace in the hole, charming all as the rich, hardened gambler with his smooth baritone, describing his life in "My Time of Day." Matching him with admirable acting, Amber Garcia epitomized the pious, naive nature of his eventual love interest, Sergeant Sarah Brown.

As Sarah Brown's grandfather Arvide Abernathy, Dyllon Ravenell's sweet demeanor and gentle vocals were comforting in "More I Cannot Wish You." McKenzie Kittrell upped the ante with her lighthearted comic relief as Nicely Nicely Johnson, enrapturing both the gamblers and the missionaries during the rollicking "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat." Demonstrating impeccable technique and stage presence, Ava Vanek stood out as Hot Box Girl Allison and featured dancer in "Havana."

This production showcased a phenomenal set by the GCS Set Design and Construction Crews who superbly captured Manhattan's essence, smoothly transitioning into the mission and even Havana, Cuba! Small details such as bricks painted as die and railings with the four card suits were a tribute to their dedication and careful design. Likewise, Kiran Saini's publicity plan was well crafted, even incorporating show attendance as part of a longstanding school-wide competition.

The familiar tunes, likable characters, and heartwarming happy ending will certainly be the winning ticket for audiences young and old. You'll really hit the jackpot when you go see Glenelg Country School's performance of "Guys and Dolls!"

Gwen Lillycrop
South Carroll
Submitted for publication to The Gateway

If you've "never been in love before," then you clearly haven't seen Glenelg Country School's production of "Guys and Dolls". Hilarious and heartwarming, Glenelg Country School astonished the audience from the start.

Since its Broadway debut in 1950, "Guys and Dolls" has been blessing the stage for years. It has been revived on Broadway in 1976, 1992, and 2009, earning a World Theatre Award, a Critic's Circle Theatre Award, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival.

The show started off with the unique choice to have the actors all enter as people of the streets, acting out different scenes in silence. The ensemble as a whole very clearly worked together to pull off this difficult task. McKenzie Kittrell, as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, charmed the audience with her impressive alto range. Her constant energy and laugh-out-loud facial expressions brought liveliness to every scene she was in. Her vivacity in "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" had the audience singing alongside dancing in their seats. Jacob Hopkins-Luna (Joey Biltmore) showed off his natural stage presence. Though his scene may have been short, the impression he left on the audience was nothing short of remarkable. When the sly and charismatic Sky Masterson, magnificently embodied by Gavin Gundersen, entered the scene, the audience was on the edge of their seats. Between his suave delivery of lines and his breathtaking vocals, Gavin Gundersen was unbreakable. When met by his equally talented counterpart, Amber Garcia (Sarah Brown), the stage chemistry that ensued was incredible. Izzy DeBonis flawlessly portrayed Miss Adelaide. Her devotion to the character was evident in her hilarious accent and captivating interpretation of "Adelaide's Lament." Alejandro Flores-Chévere (Nathan Detroit) had a comical line delivery and remarkable vocals that made the audience love to hate the character. His enthusiasm in every scene was impossible to ignore.

The set, designed and constructed by the GCS Advanced Stagecraft team, was astonishing. Featuring beautifully painted tunnels for the sewer, walls for the streets of New York, and a gorgeous balcony, the set made the audience feel like they were in the show before it even began. Throughout the show, the lighting cues, designed by Alexandra Rusyniak, featured many different colors, helping the audience understand the mood. Each cue was impeccably called. The pit orchestra was especially impressive, as it was such a small group. They played every song beautifully and evidently worked assiduously on the repertoire.

All in all, Glenelg Country School wowed the audience with a dazzling and unique interpretation the classic hit, "Guys and Dolls."

Alyson Shelton
Chesapeake
Submitted for publication to The Tribruin

Welcome to the hustle and bustle of the streets of Manhattan! You've got gamblers sinning on every street with an unlucky Evangelist group attempting to clean up the evil in Glenelg High School's production of the classic comedy, "Guys and Dolls."

"Guys and Dolls" follows the story of a gambler down on his luck, searching for a lowkey location to hold his floating crap game. Having to handle his fiancee of 14 years as well as a Lieutenant watching his every move, Nathan finds himself betting the craziest better in the area, Sky Masterson. The show keeps up with the two as they strive to maintain "The Oldest Establishment" without wrecking their relationships. The show is based on stories from Damon Runyon, known for their New York underworld themes. It premiered on Broadway in 1950, winning the Tony award for best musical and running for 1,200 performances.

The opening number was exquisitely performed, with intense moments of a statue-like stillness bursting into lively action on stage. The cast's excitement kept the audience on edge and there was never a moment a member was out of character. The choreography done by Olivia Milne and Emma Vanderlinde was directly from the 50s, and reminiscent of a real Broadway show. The kick lines were always in time and the exotic Havana dance was beautiful, each hip bump and shimmy adding to the atmosphere perfectly.

Gavin Gundersen hit the mark with his confident and charming mannerisms when portraying Sky Masterson, while enhancing his character's arc with a caring nature for Amber Garcia as Sarah Brown, an innocent mission worker. While wooing Sarah, Gavin captured the audience with each slight movement or tone change throughout his performance. As well as his acting, Gavin's handsome vocals are comparable to those of other 50s icons, such as Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. His affable animation in "Luck be a Lady" made it a fan favorite, right down to the roll.

The musical's title wouldn't be complete without the dolls. The Hot Box dancers were the perfect posse for Adelaide, played by Izzy DeBonis. They mimicked her sass and distress with their aggressive performance of "Take Back Your Mink." McKenzie Kittrell (Nicely Nicely Johnson) and Luka Madhok (Benny Southstreet) shadowed Alejandro Flores-Chévere (Nathan Detriot) and always brought a humorous touch to every scene they were in. From sleuthing around Mindy's Bakery to constantly supporting their friend in his search, they played off each other like genuine gambling guys.

Glenelg's Advanced Stagecraft group created remarkable sets. Turning a simple stage into everything from the busy streets of Manhattan to the beautiful tropical Havana is a difficult task, tackled extraordinarily by this group. The addition of poker chips and cards into the building's designs, and the use of dice as bricks was a brilliant touch of the show's gambling motifs. Publicity, managed by Kiran Saini, was distinguished by their obvious attention to design and exceptional engagement with the community.

Luck was a Lady to the cast and crew of Glenelg High School's production of "Guys and Dolls!"