Staples Players’ Guys & Dolls Opens Tonight

It’s a safe bet you’ll be knocked out when you see the set for the Staples Players’ “Guys & Dolls,” which opens tonight. 

The vibrant look of 1930’s New York fills the stage as the Staples High School actors bring to life this classic musical about tough guy gangsters gambling on love with sassy showgirls and mild-mannered missionary “dolls.”

The familiar tunes, ranging from “Luck Be A Lady” to “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and the show-stopping “Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat,” are lively and fun.

The dance numbers – including the rumba in Havana when Sky Masterson takes demure mission worker Sarah Brown to Cuba – are sizzling. 

Based on a short story by Damon Runyon, “Guys & Dolls” features a strong plot, which the Staples Players do an entertaining musical justice under the direction of David Roth and associate director Kerry Long. 

With stellar music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and a book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, Guys and Dolls swept the 1951 Tony Awards, winning eight Tonys, including Best Musical.

Most of the actors take theatre and music classes during the school day, and many of them study voice or dance outside of school.

It shows.

Eva Hendricks, performing the role of Adelaide, is a standout who delivers the character songs with aplomb and projects a vibrant stage presence. 

“I’m having so much fun with this,” Eva said, adding that she wants to pursue acting as a profession.  A junior, she confesses the dancing was the biggest challenge for her, though she looks like a natural hoofer as one of the Hot Box girls. 

Another impressive performer is Jamie Yarmoff, one of two actors double cast as Sarah Brown.  Her vocal gifts range from the strong belt technique she displays in “If I Were a Bell” to the lilting “legit” sound she uses in “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and her character transforms from the circumspect mission worker into the slightly tipsy unbuttoned woman in love in the Cuban dance scene with Sky Masterson.

“I’m having a great time,” said Max Samuels, one of the two students who plays Sky Masterson, the tough but sweet gambler who falls for Sarah.  His rangy physique and strong voice work for him. 

“The hardest part for me is probably maintaining a focus throughout the whole show,” he said before dashing back onstage during a rehearsal this week.

Nicely-Nicely, performed by senior Dan Shure is another student who plans to pursue acting professionally.  He said he loves the wacky characters, and how “big” everything is in the show.  He’s been involved with the Staples Players since the tender age of 6. He was one of the child actors the high school would call on when they had a part for a younger boy. 

The cast of 62 has been rehearsing since September 9, five days a week, up to four hours a day.  The final week, delicately termed “hell week,” involves rehearsals from right after school until 9:00 each night.  But it doesn’t stop with the kids onstage.  About 150 students are involved with the show altogether, including those behind the scenes. 

What sets this production apart from earlier Staples Players versions of "Guys & Dolls" is the extraordinary set designed by former Staples Player, Reid Thompson, who now works as a scenic painter for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 

“He has designed a beautiful and ambitious set — certainly one of the largest that Players has built in recent years,” according to associate director Kerry Long.

Rhonda Paul, Production Coordinator, said productions of this level are only possible because of community involvement. 

“Fortunately, with the support of loyal audiences who attend regularly, as well as our parent booster organization (which does a lot of fundraising), and local merchants who buy ads in our program book, we are able present shows with high production value," she said.

Though there are over 900 seats in the theater, the school often sells out for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances.  Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, November 13, 14, 20 & 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Staples High School auditorium, 70 North Avenue, Westport. There are additional performances on Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m., and Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15 adults, $10 students for evening and matinee performances.  Thursday, November 19 offers an early curtain (7:00p.m.) and “stimulus pricing” of $10 adults, $5 students. 

A senior citizen discount allows seniors to attend the matinee and “stimulus” performance at the student price. Purchases can be made in two ways: online at www.staplesplayers.com; or in person in the Staples High School main lobby, Monday, November 9 to Friday, November 13 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. with cash or check only.  Any remaining tickets will be available at the door when box office opens, 30 minutes before curtain of each performance.  For more information, call 203-341-1310.