'Guys and Dolls' by Naugatuck Teen Theater - My Review

Pictured: ”Fugue for Tinhorns” with Billy Nichol, Joshua Viltrakis and Christian Janis Photo by Robert Rosa

Naugatuck Teen Theater has been serving local teens for over 20 years and always attracts the best high school talent to appear in their two annual productions. This year they opened their season with a wonderful production of the classic ‘Guys and Dolls’ under the direction of Broadway actress and Waterbury native Marissa Perry. NTT veterans join several students in their debut on the St. Michael’s stage to bring a very professional-looking show to the borough.

Ms. Perry is understandably proud of each and every one of these talented teens and writes that she has witnessed them becoming “more confident, well rounded and pointed actors” during the three month rehearsal process. “I know I have done my job here, not by the lights, sounds, staging, choreography and costumes, but by the extra sprinkle of passion each of them are carrying in their back pocket for theatre and, most importantly, for themselves.” Congratulations to this talented actress on her directorial debut. The students clearly adored her and for some of them, she is their theatrical idol. Ms. Perry was assisted by NTT Chairman Bob Rosa, Artistic Director Sarah Donovan and Technical Director Daniel Wagoner.

From the minute Nicely-Nicely Johnson (played to perfection in a perfectly loud suit by Joshua Viltrakis) enters the stage, the packed opening night audience knew that it was in for a treat. “Fugue for Tinhorns” as sung by Mr. Viltrakis, Billy Nicol as Benny Southwest and Christian “CJ” Janis as Rusty Charlie sets the bar pretty high for the other musical numbers. The pieces that follow were just as well-executed, but “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” was probably my favorite.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ENTIRE REVIEW ON ONSTAGE 

Folding chairs had to be added to the house to accommodate the crowd (unofficially 112 strong) that came out on Saturday to support the teens. Celebrities that I saw included Lauren’s mom and dad Melissa and Chuck Stango, Marianna Vagnini and her sister Trish Torello, Naugatuck’s BOE chair David Heller, Seven Angel’s stars James Donohue and Mandy Leigh Thompson, and lots and lots of proud parents...like me.

Remaining performances of NTT’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ A Musical Fable of Broadway based on a story and characters of Damon Runyon with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows are Friday, Nov. 13 at 8:00pm, Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2:00 and 8:00pm and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2:00pm. Doors open 30 minutes before each show and tickets can be purchased at the door.