Bellarine Theatre Presents: Guys And Dolls, Jr. This Weekend

Bellarine Theatre Company’s production of Guys and Dolls, Jr. comes to life onto The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences stage, bringing us back to a fun loving, warmer time during this frigid season.

Guys and Dolls, Jr. is an adaptation of the show considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls, Jr. is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest crap game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, nightclub performer Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for 14 years.

Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown. Guys and Dolls, Jr. takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually, everyone ends up right where they belong.

Bellarine’s production incorporates a group of talented young up and coming performers grades 5th-9th; featuring Jonathan Leach as Nathan Detroit, Amanda Delbury as Miss Adelaide, Luke Suddeth as Sky Masterson, and Nadia Jewel Vito as Sarah Brown.

The show is both student-directed, and choreographed by senior Abby Leyh and sophomore Meagan Hoer. Ms. Leyh is making her directing debut after stage managing for Bellarine since 2013. She plans to peruse directing and stage management as she furthers her education.

Ms. Hoer is making her Bellarine debut. She has previous experience with Our Gang Players and the Southern Regional Theatre Company. Artistic Director Jessica Huch states that she is thrilled to offer this opportunity to local students.

“It is so important to encourage the advancement of our craft, both on and off the stage,” she said. “In supervising the work of both Abby and Meagan, I am so proud of the show that they have created together.”

In addition to student director and choreographer roles, senior Gabriella Grinwald-Alves has shadowed as the student vocal director, and senior Caitlin McCabe has taken the helm as Stage Manager.

Guys and Dolls, Jr. will be hitting the stage at The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences 120 Long Beach Blvd. Loveladies, NJ 08008.

The show opens February 12 at 7pm, and continues into February 13 with two performances at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and one performance February 14 at 3 p.m. You can order your tickets through www.bellarinetheatre.com or by calling 609-661-2083.

Bellarine will also be offering a truly unique viewing experience on Feb. 11 at 6 p.m., tailored for an audience of families and friends with children or adults who are diagnosed with special needs, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and/or other sensitivity issues. This preview show will be performed in a friendly, supportive environment, with slight adjustments to the production, including the reduction of any jarring sounds or lights focused into the audience.

If you wish to volunteer, sponsor, or join, please e-mail Jessica Huch directly at jessica@bellarinetheatre.com. Bellarine Theatre Company asks that you please RSVP to this performance by e-mailing or calling 609-661-2083.