Guys and Dolls
at Randall K. Cooper High School
Reviewed on November 23, 2019
Iris LeCates
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 1
Gambling in the sewers, lunching in Cuba, and flirting in the Save-A-Soul Mission building— "Guys and Dolls" contains all of the irreverent tomfoolery that the 1950's lacked. In an extremely successful reproduction of a classical musical, Randall K. Cooper brought to life all of the hilarious whimsy of this New York caricature.
"Guys and Dolls" is a 1950 musical based on several short stories written by Damon Runyon. It tells the story of Nathan Detroit, a gambler trying to set up a crap game for his New York City friends. The desired venue is too expensive, so in a desperate attempt to collect cash, he bets Sky Masterson, an avid bettor, that he cannot take Sarah Brown, the sergeant of a local mission, to Havana for dinner. Through an odd progression of events that takes Sarah Brown to Cuba, the gamblers to the mission, and the crap game into the sewers of New York, "Guys and Dolls" explores the complicated relationships between men and women, and even questions the institution of marriage itself.
Two couples led the show: Mission Sergeant Sarah Brown (Erin Hubbard) and bettor Sky Masterson (Samuel Jamison); and Gambler Nathan Detroit (Trenton Anspach) and showgirl Miss Adelaide (Kiki Pastor-Richard). Hubbard and Jamison had charming chemistry; their scenes in Havana were particularly potent. Jamison was an excellent actor, his vocal prowess and tap dance abilities shining through in "Luck Be a Lady." Anspach and Pastor-Richard were equally charming, portraying well the lighthearted, bickering characteristic of old married couples— especially funny given that most of their arguments pertained to the length of their engagement.
The secondary characters were delightful, helping to build the quirky and eccentric image of the overly jovial gangster scene in New York. Wesley Baker was entertaining in his role as Lieutenant Brannigan, always there to offer a comedic deadpan as the gamblers planned the crapshoot just under his nose. Hannah Richardson played the genderbent role of Nicely Nicely Johnson with zest, her vocal and dancing skills lending themselves well to the song "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," arguably the most upbeat number of the show.
Several of the technical elements were extremely successful. The hair and makeup, designed by Haley Barth, was lovely and subtle, both period and unobtrusive to the show. The transformation of Hannah Richardson was particularly impressive, the progression from long, blonde hair to short, dark hair allowing her to blend in seamlessly. The set was simple and attractive, glowing LED signs imitating the glow of the city that never sleeps. This was aided by projections, which, although occasionally on the wrong slide, helped to portray the setting.
The orchestra was also worth mentioning. In-time, upbeat, and enthusiastic, no show can go on without the orchestrations beneath it. The percussion trio (Aaron Coffenberry, Noah Richardson, and Corey Eversole) was hardworking and extremely capable, and Brian Chu immersed himself in the upright bass before the lights could even dim for the curtain speech. Most notably, the trumpets (Brooklyn Fritsch, Laura McMullen, and Allyson Kentley) were bold, brassy, and a brilliant addition to the small orchestra.
The joy of Golden Age musicals is their lighthearted handle on dark themes. Randall K. Cooper's "Guys and Dolls" discussed the pitfalls of gambling, the difficulty of marriage, and gender roles with a touch of tap dance illuminated in radiant New York City lights.
Emma Roush
William Henry Harrison High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 10
If you're looking for a heartfelt show filled with romance, laughter, and one that completely transports you back to Depression-era New York City, take a gamble on Randall K. Cooper High School's "Guys and Dolls ."
From the moment the first actors stepped on stage for the first scene, the audience immediately felt a part of the hustle and bustle of early 1900's New York, a testament to the talent and knowledge of the era by Molly Biddle, Claire Longo, Tori Glass, and Ekatarina Ritchie. The simple and clean sets also captured iconic New York City elements to emphasize the setting of the performance.
Nicely Nicely Johnson, stunningly portrayed by Hannah Richardson; along with cohorts Benny Southstreet, played by JD Meyer; and Rusty Charlie, played by Austin Mills, introduced us to the world of gambling during their performance of "Fugue For Tinhorns." They are met by the soft and melodic vocals of Erin Hubbard, who brings to life to Sarah Brown, a missionary seeking to save New York's biggest sinners. Erin Hubbard's poise and elegance in her presence and vocals displayed the maturity of her character. The boys find their boss, Nathan Detriot, the ringleader of the local crap games, distraught as the only place that will allow their games requires a $1,000 deposit that none of them have. However, when they stumble upon Samuel Jamison's character Sky Masterson, Nathan Detriot bets him the cost of the venue that he cannot make Sergeant Sarah Brown go to lunch with him in Cuba.
The stubborn efforts of Sky win over the begrudging Sarah in hopes of winning the bet Sarah does not know is occurring. The visible chemistry between the two is beautifully captured by Erin Hubbard and Samuel Jamison. While this relationship is forming, we gain insight to the love life of Nathan and his fiancee of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide, who Kiki Pastor-Richard perfectly captured, leaving the audience filled with laughter. During "Adelaide's Lament," Kiki Pastor-Richard wows the audience with her vocals, expressing her character's frustration about not yet being married to her fiance.
Transported to Havana, we see Sky Masterson has indeed won over Sarah Brown and, through a spiked milkshake and a talented performance by the cast of "Havana," we find she is head-over- heels for him. After seeing this, Sky admits it was all for a bet, and Sarah requests he return her home. When she arrives back, she is faced with another challenge of having to save her branch of the mission. However, when Sky Masterson shows up promising a dozen sinners in her mission by midnight, she cannot refuse the offer.
Sky meets with the crapshooters after the upbeat performance of the "Crapshooter's Dance" where he makes the deal that if he wins, they come to the mission with him, but if he loses, he owes them each $1,000. Fortunately for him, he wins the shoot, and they are off to the mission, but not before an incredible performance of "Luck Be A Lady" that left the audience in awe after the cast tapped their way through the number.
Getting the men to the mission just in time and having them give their testimonies, Sky Masterson saves the mission but still has yet to win over Sarah Brown. When Adelaide and Sarah meet and use their impressive harmonious vocals to convince Sarah to marry Sky, she does just that. Of course, Adelaide also gets her happy ending with Nathan Detroit when they are finally married just as curtain drops.
Brooke Yates
Larry A. Ryle High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 2
Having first premiered on Broadway in 1950, "Guys and Dolls" is a Golden Era musical that still stuns audiences to this day with its unique charms and compelling score. Telling the story of two consequential couples and their journeys through romance, gambling, and religion, the show puts the New York of the past into new perspective and introduces a cast of characters both suave and outrageous. Randall K. Cooper High School executed the performance with a splendidly delicate nature, accentuating each character's quirks and highlighting the setting with crew elements as fresh as the dark time that Sky Masterson loves so dearly.
The iconic smooth-talking gambler himself was played in this production by Samuel Jamison. Jamison met both the vocal challenge, as well as the delightful tap dancing required for his role, very well. His love interest, Sarah Brown, played by Erin Hubbard, complimented his acting, singing, and dancing ability with her own, mastering her absurd soprano notes while still maintaining her character's established sass and stubborn nature. Kiki Pastor-Richard as Miss Adelaide faced a similar challenge in maintaining character, due to her role's ever overwhelming New York accent. Fortunately, she performed the accent to perfection as well as contributing her phenomenal vocal ability and snappy reaction time to any incidents that might have occurred on stage. Pastor-Richard made sure that no hat would drop without it becoming a part of the show - a talent that any true actress should possess. Her counterpart, Nathan Detroit played by Trenton Anspach, only added to her glorious performance through the consistent quality of his own, bringing his own spark to the flame of his part.
Another notable performance was Hannah Richardson's depiction of the male character, Nicely Nicely Johnson. Her exciting interactions onstage stole the show, leaving her character to be completely irresistible. Needless to say, her solo number in Act 2 was a very well- deserved moment in the spotlight. The rest of the ensemble really mastered their creativity through intricate character intentions and constant shenanigans - and that high praise comes before even saying a word about the nine student-choreographed dance numbers. Overall, whether gambler or Salvation Army member; sinner or saint, the cast of this performance really won every bet thrown their direction.
It was the crew, however, that really took this production to Havana and back. The show maintained great quality from the beginning, with charming publicity and an absolutely incredible orchestra, all the way to the very last special effect projection - a choice made by the director to establish quicker scene changes so as not to hinder the settings development. Make-up, hair, and costuming also helped to characterize this depiction of New York, all elements staying very time-period accurate which made for a refreshing addition to the show's already genuine nature. As a final enhancement, the props served as the icing on the strudel, with newspapers, strollers, and various other randomized objects never failing to impress, just like the production itself!
As you can see, Randall K. Cooper High School really had an ace up their sleeve with this performance. Celebrating the iconic marks of the characters and the city that was transformed into their playground, the students really made good on the show's endearing promises, leaving no more to be wished for in a production of "Guys and Dolls."
Reeya Dighe
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 3
Set in the bustling streets of New York City, "Guys and Dolls" tells the overlapping stories of notorious gamblers, Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit, and the women who love them. An inadvertent result of a hasty bet, Sky falls for the buttoned-up and straitlaced missionary Sarah Brown , who at first, shows no interest in him. Nathan , engaged to Miss Adelaide for fourteen years, struggles with not only his search for a location for his craps game, but also with staving off Miss Adelaide's constant nudges towards marriage. Despite a few hurdles, both guys end up marrying their dolls, Sky now a reformed and devout member of the mission, and Nathan a domesticated and doting husband.
Randall K. Cooper High School tackled this challenging piece with energy and enthusiasm, delivering a creative take on this Golden Age classic. Complete with a demanding score and intricate dance numbers, ""Guys and Dolls presents an arduous task both performance and design-wise. The cast, crew, and orchestra admirably rose to the challenge, giving a charming and energetic production.
The lead performers anchored the piece with their powerful vocals and larger-than-life presence. Kiki Pastor-Richard, in the role of Miss Adelaide, seamlessly embodied the role of the Hot Box headliner with a consistent New York accent and robust voice that resonated clearly through the space. Opposite her, Erin Hubbard, in the role of Sarah Brown, provided the perfect foil to Miss Adelaide's raunchy and outgoing character. Hubbard's delicate voice, coupled with her soft stage presence, effectively contributed to the dichotomous nature of the piece.
The supporting cast added dimension, humor, and animation to this challenging plot. Hannah Richardson, in the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson, impeccably rose to the challenge of playing a role typically filled by a male. Through mellow and consistent vocals and seamlessly farcical humor, Richardson shined in numbers such as "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat" and "Guys and Dolls". Alongside her, featured dancer Austin Mills demonstrated a strong grasp of the choreography, filling the stage with his energy and presence.
Comprised mainly of students, the "Guys and Dolls" Orchestra expertly handled a demanding score without a single hiccup. From rhythmically challenging tap numbers to slower, emotional numbers, the orchestra skillfully kept up with the cast.
Through powerful performances and creative technical design, Randall K. Cooper High School delivered an entertaining take on a Golden Age classic. The cast and crew truly left it all on stage in an energetic and enthusiastic performance.
Matthew Eggers
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 4
The sound of jazz flowed into the auditorium, as the world of the seemingly brutish 50's gamblers came to life. Randall K. Cooper High School's production of "Guys and Dolls" brought the timeless tale of lovers and sinners back into the limelight.
With lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, "Guys and Dolls" follows the journey of lovable criminal Nathan Detroit in his efforts to find a place for his illegal game of crapshoot in New York City. In the process, two unexpected lovers, pious sergeant Sarah Brown, and gutsy gambler Sky Masterson end up falling in love. Whether in the bright lights of NYC, the vibrant bars of Havana, or the dank smells of the sewer, "Guys and Dolls" explores love and the relationships that follow.
Leading the story, Samuel Jamison and Erin Hubbard's performances as the loving couple Sky and Sarah were fantastic. Hubbard's pure soprano vocals matched perfectly with the Golden Age music as well as Jamison's smooth baritone voice. Both actors had palpable chemistry, creating a believable love story full of happiness and heartache. Even though the romantic couple was sometimes muffled by their mics, both overcame this obstacle with clear pronunciation and projection.
Although not usually cast as a female, tenor mobster Nicely Nicely Johnson was brilliantly performed by Hannah Richardson. Richardson's gorgeous alto voice filled the auditorium singing the iconic eleven o'clock number, "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," while also evoking laughter from the audience with her impeccable comedic timing. Another actress who gave a stellar performance was Kiki Pastor-Richard as Miss Adelaide. Maintaining Adelaide's nasal voice is not a small feat, yet Pastor-Richard provided her gorgeous vocal talent to classics such as "Adelaide's Lament" and "Marry the Man Today" with ease. Pastor-Richard also did an amazing job of maintaining her bold character throughout the strenuous show with both of her showgirl performances, "A Bushel and a Peck" and "Take Back Your Mink".
The costumes of the show proved to be exceptionally designed and executed. Tori Glass, Haley Barth, and the costume crew not only fitted characters' costumes to the 50's period but also seamlessly executed Adelaide's full-bridal quick change in under one minutes. Although the lighting sometimes did not give the suits and dresses justice, the costumes elevated the production quality, all while keeping the time period in mind.
Overall, Randall K. Cooper High School's production of "Guys and Dolls" was executed with diligence and deserves a well-earned round of applause.
Clare Brennan
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 5
The bustling streets and flair of New York came alive as Randall K. Cooper High School presented "Guys and Dolls." The production was complete with peppy dances, remarkable vocals, and all the grandeur of a Golden Age musical.
"Guys and Dolls," based on the gangster stories of Damon Runyon, premiered on Broadway in 1950 and quickly became a hit. The story itself centers around an illegal crap game and two gangsters' (Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit ) journey to love, or at least, marriage with Sarah Brown and Miss Adelaide, respectively.
Kiki Pastor-Richard, as the iconic Miss Adelaide, was filled with spirit every time she sang. Handling such iconic songs as "Adelaide's Lament" and "Take Back Your Mink," Pastor-Richard had a tone quality somehow beautiful, yet appropriate for the typically screechy character, all while staying perfectly on pitch throughout the show. Pastor-Richard did the character, made famous throughout the musical theatre canon, justice in her performance.
The highlight of the supporting cast was Hannah Richardson as Nicely Nicely Johnson. Although the role is typically played by a man, this was no hindrance to Richardson's performance as she navigated the lower singing range with ease. Richardson was equally smooth and charismatic as she spryly sauntered around the stage. The pinnacle of Richardson's performance was the famous number, "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat," in which she rousted the entire ensemble into lively song and dance.
The costumes, headed by Tori Glass and Hayley Barth, served the production extremely well. Although matching chorus-girl outfits abounded, the highlight of the crew's work was the multitude of suits. Gangsters navigated the stage in a slew of suits in various plaid patterns, many of which were put together by the crew themselves. At times when ensemble dancing could have been more unified, the costumes pulled the cast together into cohesion.
Altogether, Randall K. Cooper's "Guys and Dolls" was an enjoyable slice of Golden Age theatre.
Lee Garber-Ford
Taylor High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 6
Broadway, New York, 1930s. It's the era of the Great Depression, people are busy working for what money they can get, and gambling is illegal, yet quite common. Such is the setting of Randall K. Cooper High School's most recent musical, "Guys and Dolls."
"Guys and Dolls" is a 1950's musical written by Frank Loesser and based on two short stories by Damon Runyon. Set in New York, it mainly follows two gamblers, Sky and Nathan. Nathan, looking to host an illegal game of craps (a dice game), needs $1000 to secure a safe spot. Being completely broke, however, Nathan decides to make a bet with Sky that he can't lose - Sky must take Sarah, a member of the Save-a-Soul Mission, out to Havana for dinner. Meanwhile, Adelaide, a nightclub performer who's been engaged to Nathan for fourteen years, tries to keep Nathan from gambling so that she can marry him once and for all. Will Sky and Sarah fall in love, and will Nathan get to play his game?
Overall, Randall K. Cooper's show's characters were excellent. The accents sounded authentic, and the singing was nicely done. Choreography and dancing were both good, with no fewer than six songs being choreographed by students. While the sets, especially in terms of backdrops, left a bit to be desired, the other technical elements, like costuming and makeup, were great. And the orchestra was nothing short of amazing.
Miss Adelaide, played by Kiki Pastor-Richard, was great. Kiki demonstrated Adelaide's iconic accent in her songs, "A Bushel and a Peck" and "Take Back Your Mink," and showed her emotional character as well as her love for Nathan in her numerous scenes("Tell him that I never want to see him again! ...And then call him here."). Sarah Brown, played by Erin Hubbard, was quite good as well, with a nice singing voice and, in particular, being convincingly drunk during her song, "If I Were a Bell." Nathan Detroit (Trenton Anspach) pulled off his gambler character admirably, showing his focus on making money as well as being fairly funny("Is that a crime? Yeah."). And Sky Masterson (Samuel Jamison) showed off both his hardcore and sweeter side.
Nicely Nicely Johnson, played by Hannah Richardson, was pretty… nicely done. With a great accent; both during her songs and out of them, she definitely was a quite convincing actress. Lt. Brannigan (Wesley Baker) was also skilled, playing his policeman role convincingly well in addition to bringing a humorous role in the scene where he was out of breath for a solid minute.
One of the best parts of Randall K. Cooper's show was their orchestra. Containing nineteen students, they played from the professional score over the entire show - no recordings needed. Even though they reportedly had little practice, they played the score with outstanding skill. almost as if it were a recording. The entire orchestra was quite cohesive too with all of its members working with all of the others. No one seemed to be out of tune. Another great technical portion of the show was its choreography - students choreographed one of the best songs in the musical, "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat," as well as five others.
In the end, Cooper's musical is an excellent combination of great music, great acting, and a great story. While choosing "Guys and Dolls" is a pretty big gamble- the show's two hours long - it's safe to say that they won the bet.
Aiden Litmer
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 7
As the lights rose on the stage at Randall K. Cooper High School, the audience, who was just settling in, was thrown full swing into the hustling and bustling of Times Square, complete with prostitutes, gamblers, cops, fugitives, and everything in between, in their production of "Guys and Dolls."
The tried and true Golden Age musical, based on the short stories of Damon Runyan, premiered on Broadway in 1950 and has had twelve different revivals over the years. The plot follows two troubled New York crap shooters, Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit, as they struggle with love, faith, and the constant pursuit of the next bet to win.
The students at Randall K. Cooper had an incredible amount of talent to offer which came out on stage as they sang, danced, and shot some good ol' craps. Standout performers included the shows lead, Samuel Jamison performing as the big man of the town, Sky Masterson; and Erin Hubbard as his very unlikely lover, Sarah Brown. The couple's chemistry was well developed throughout the show and, in moments of tension, the pair did a wonderful job of making a believable and sometimes near-tangible experience for the audience. Another standout performance was that of Trenton Anspach taking on the role of Nathan Detroit. Anspach kept a very consistent sense of character with an unchanging dialect that fit perfectly into the New York setting of the show.
Hannah Richardson, performing as Nicely Nicely Johnson, one of Nathan's goonies, did a remarkable job. Her constant enthusiasm, paired with her very natural in character movement and impressive dance chops, made her a definite star of this production, bringing life and comedy into every scene she was in. Kiki Pastor-Richard, who took on the role of Nathan's lover, Miss Adelaide, took the audiences breath away with her incredible vocal control and beautiful tone as she lamented about the struggles of love and fought with herself over Nathan. The show's main ensemble, the Crapshooters, also deserve many more rounds of applause for their constant playful gang energy and well-executed vocal backing in musical numbers such as "Luck be a Lady" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat ." Although it was sometimes challenging to understand the characters' dialogue, it was evident that everyone in the cast had devoted time to practicing their lines and dance numbers, as cues were rarely missed or jumped, and the choreography was performed with an impressive amount of confidence by most of the ensemble.
Often, period-specific pieces can be challenging to pull off due to the need for technical elements that illustrate well the time period. However, the students at Randall K. Cooper High School overcame this hurdle with expertise and elegance. The costumes, designed by Tori Glass and Haley Barth, left no room for imperfection, as they perfectly reflected 1920's American style. Each and every member of the cast had a costume (or costumes) that matched their character perfectly and fit them remarkably well.
Overall, Randall K. Cooper High School's production of "Guys and Dolls" was an impressively lively and playful show as they added new spice to an age-old classic while still keeping the old-time charm of the original production.
Courtney Reckelhoff
William Henry Harrison High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 8
Evangelical paper folds, blank-faced dice, "dulce de leche", and a thousand-dollar, twelve-soul bet on the line - what kind of crazy crapshoot is this? Why, Randall K. Cooper High School's swinging performance of the Golden Age musical, "Guys and Dolls ."
From Broadway for breakfast, a hop to Havana for lunch, and a tap dance to the sewers for supper, the cast and crew of Randall K. Cooper High School revamped this stage classic. "Guys and Dolls" opened on Broadway in 1950 and won Best Musical for the 1951 Tony's, running an impressive 1,200 shows. Based upon the intuitive stories of gamblers and girls written by Damon Runyon, "Guys and Dolls" comically molds caricatures and romances between Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide ; and Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown .
Crapshoot-con-man Nathan Detroit scrambles to secure a gambling post for the "guys" with much disapproval from his fiance-of-fourteen years, Miss Adelaide . Desperate, Nathan makes the bet of his life with high-roller Sky Masterson . Sky accepts, only to be faced with his hardest bet yet. He is to take the moral Sarah Brown to lunch or surrender one grand to Nathan . While on the date, these two polar opposites catch the love bug and return to New York with only each other in mind.
Randall K. Cooper High School's production of "Guys and Dolls" encapsulated the hustle and bustle of New York City streets, anchored by the connections among cast members. Gamblers and show girls alike exemplified the radiance and grunge of life in the 20's and 30's. Commitment was illustrated by every member through the smallest flick of a cigarette or crisp click of a heel.
Infamous Nathan Detroit , played by Trenton Anspach , scrambled the streets of New York, clamouring for both his game and girl. Anspach displayed Nathan's yearning to keep his life in line, repeatedly falling to his knees to please his one and only love, Miss Adelaide . Adelaide , performed by Kiki Pastor-Richard , radiated a spunky, showgirl flair with her sharp New York-accent and passionate heel-click steps. With fire in her heart, Pastor-Richard belted her way to Nathan in "Sue Me" and later unites with Sarah Brown . Erin Hubbard , who played Sarah Brown , embodied the composure and pristine attitude of a mission leader. With a voice as sweet as "dulce de leche", Hubbard flung herself on a wild ride to Havana, illuminating Sarah's hidden spunk. Matching Hubbard's clean and clear vocals was Samuel Jamison , who played Sky Masterson . Jamison displayed a confident air, not thinking twice about making a bet with Nathan . During Jamison's dynamic peak in "Luck Be a Lady," he revitalized the grungy gamblers with his fancy footwork. Nicely Nicely Johnson , Hannah Richardson , keep humor alive in the rather frustrating endeavor. Strolling into conflict, Richardson lit up scenes with the crunch of a celery stick.
The evolving setting of "Guys and Dolls" was enhanced by the passionate ensemble. Disheveled suits, cocky struts, and lackadaisical cigarette flicks filled the streets and sewers of New York. In the bright lights, shiny skirts and cherry-red lips furnished the "Hot Box." Stronger facials would have further enhanced the characters, but the commitment exemplified exceeds that of a typical high school cast.
Randall K. Cooper High School creatively made use of the rather limited stage space. The projected student-designed backdrops displayed an element of uniquity. Clean transitions were made by use of upstage by the actors. Most notably, the orchestra transported the story's high and lows through clean blending, timing, and impactful dynamics.
Randall K. Cooper High School performed an energetic and passionate production of "Guys and Dolls ," making for quite an enjoyable show.
Sydney Willis
Larry A. Ryle High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 9
Gambling. Missionaries. Love. Not exactly your average group, but all come together to tell the story told in the production of "Guys and Dolls" put on by Randall K. Cooper High School.
The story begins with the guys, otherwise known as Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson. Each has their own story of gambling, missionaries, and love. Detroit found himself struggling between his fiancé of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide, who wanted nothing more than to marry him, and not wanting to be married but to continue to live his life of gambling. Masterson, a gambler himself, meets a missionary named Sarah Brown and instantly falls in love. He decides to help her failing organization to grow in return for going to dinner with him. Between the two tales of love, the story is full of heart, excitement, and lots of humor.
First, the dolls of the show. Sarah Brown, portrayed by the talented Erin Hubbard, was a sweet girl who wanted nothing more than for her mission to succeed. Hubbard showcased the underlying strength in Brown exceptionally, breaking through the sweet and incapable facade. In addition, is the passionate and energetic Miss Adelaide, portrayed by Kiki Pastor-Richard, a lady in love with a man who won't ever change. Despite her character's supporting role, Pastor-Richard stole the show with her Betty Boop style of voice and fun-filled attitude.
Also worth mentioning would be none other than Nicely Nicely Johnson, played by Hannah Richardson. This comedic actress brought to life onstage the humor and excitement of "Guys and Dolls" in everything from her body language to her humorous timing. Her solo song, "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" rocked the entire theater.
The production was one to remember as well, with Cooper High School's creative use of projection and set to make the scene come to life.
"Guys and Dolls" was most definitely a show to remember and one that told unique love stories that will never be forgotten.