Madison actor featured in Guys and Dolls at 4th Wall Theatre

Madison-based actor Michael Barthel knew that he wanted to be in Guys and Dolls the moment he saw the audition notice. “This is actually one of my father’s favorite shows. He’s a big Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra fan.” 4th Wall Theatre in Bloomfield, NJ, is producing this classic Broadway musical, in concert, to kick off the start of their 20th anniversary season. “What’s even better is I get to play my father’s favorite character--Sky Masterson, singing his favorite song from the show ‘Luck Be a Lady’. I couldn’t ask for anything better” continues Barthel.

Guys and Dolls, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, was an immediate hit when it originally premiered on Broadway in 1950. It is based on "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure" – two short stories by Damon Runyon– and also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories – most notably "Pick the Winner".

Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, the story is set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City. Gambler, Nathan Detroit, is working to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they've been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, (played by Barthel) for the dough, and Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown, as a result. Guys and Dolls takes audiences 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. 4th Wall is presenting the musical “in concert” however, there is a great deal of movement and dancing even within this format.

The show is keeping Barthel busy, but he’s no stranger to multi-tasking. He is currently working on a Masters of Arts Degree in Teaching Secondary English and Theatre from Drew University. He balances school with performing, having recently done two turns in Les Miserable, as Jean Val Jean, at the Marcus Theatre, and as Javert at the Alliance Theatre, both in Atlanta. The last production was directed by Broadway alum Dave Clemmons. In 2014, Barthel won best leading actor in a musical for Broadway World’s Philadelphia Awards for his performance in Spring Awakening.

When asked what he likes most about Guys and Dolls, Barthel explains, “I am attracted to the way the musical explores love, relationships, commitment and identity, set to classic musical theatre songs.” He goes on to describe the experience of working on the show at 4th Wall as “Wonderful. Everyone is so talented and supportive. It is a true example of theater being a collaborative art.”

Barthel is joined by Laura Fortgang, Allison Macri, Bob Russell, Jarad Benn, Peter Downing, Rich Maloy, Tom Schopper, Warren Carr, Sharon DeRosa Smolen, Danny Egan, Beatriz Esteban-Messina, Samantha Ferrara, Jodi Maloy, Laurice Grae-Hauck, James Lopez, Patrick McLaughlin and Mark Saylor.

Guys and Dolls is directed by Kate Swan, music directed by Markus Grae-Hauck and has a 3 night limited run of September 30 and October 1 at 8:00 pm, and October 2 at 3:00 pm at the Westminster Arts Center in Bloomfield, NJ. More information, is available at www.4thwalltheatre.org. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or reserved at 973-996-8484.