Local Residents Play Leading Roles in Guys and Dolls

Mount Kisco resident Tom Ammirato (on left) as Sky Masterson rehearses with Bedford Hills resident Jim Stake*(on right) reprising his role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson -- originally played almost four decades ago -- in the Mt. Pleasant Community Theater production of “Guys and Dolls.” * appearing courtesy of Actors Equity

Ammirato has been involved with the Mount Pleasant Community Theater (MPCT) for more than 30 years, most recently in 2013 as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.” When not on stage, Ammirato is employed as a parks supervisor, and arborist with the New York City Parks Department in Manhattan. Leading roles at MPCT include Lt. Frank Cioffi in “Curtains,” Julian Marsh in “42nd Street,” Abner in “L’il Abner ,” Sir Evelyn in “Anything Goes,” Anthony Anstey in “ Little Johnny Jones’” and Jesus in “Godspell.” Ammirato also has appeared in Big River and The Music Man at The Westchester Broadway Theater; and Fiorello, Sweeny Todd, Tommy, Shenandoah with Pleasantville Musical Theater and “I Love You You’re Perfect, Now Change” with the Hope For Change Foundation, which creates awareness and raises money for breast cancer research.

Stake returns to Nicely-Nicely Johnson role which he first performed 37 years ago at Valhalla High School. He worked on the daytime soap “All My Children” from 1982-1988. Film credits include “Working Girl,” Brewster’s Millions” and “The Fisher King.” In theater, Stake toured nationally in “Grease” starring Jack Wagner and in “Peter Duchin’s Broadway” starring Robert Lupone. He and his partner, Liam own the award-winning Croton Creek Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Croton Falls, NY.

Other cast members in the show, directed and choreographed by Rose Cremonese-Norton, include:

· Robyn O’Brien of Eastchester as Sarah Brown

. Richie Murden of Pleasantville as Nathan Detroit

· Rae West of Salem, VA, Cremonese-Norton’s daughter-in-law, as Miss Adelaide

· Frank Accosta of Elmsford as Benny Southstreet

. John Wright of Hawthorne as Rusty Charlie

. Chris Jamison of Yorktown Heights as Arvide Abernathy

. Claudia Torzilli of Hawthorne as General Curtis

· Chuck Buchanan of White Plains as Lt. Brannigan

. Gary Simon of Cortlandt Manor as Harry the Horse , and

· Mark Firestone of Cold Spring as Big Jule

“Guys and Dolls” will be presented on July 31, August 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 in the John Whearty Theater at Westlake High located at 825 Westlake Drive in Thornwood, NY. Friday and Saturday night performances are at 8 pm, Sunday matinee at 2 pm, Thurs. night performance at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be ordered on-line at www.mpctshows.com. For further information, please call (914) 773-9171 or (914) 769-0958 or email mpctshows@gmail.com.

“Guys and Dolls”, the 45th performance by the Mt. Pleasant group since its founding in 1970, has music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The musical, revolves around Sky, a high stakes gambler whose luck never seems to run out, and his romance with Sarah, a Sergeant of the local mission, and a colorful group of gangsters, gamblers and other characters of the New York underworld. Based on stories by Damon Runyon, the show ran 1,200 performances when originally presented on Broadway, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical. It has enjoyed several revivals, as well as being made into a film starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

About Mount Pleasant Community Theater

Mount Pleasant Community Theater was founded in the summer of 1970 by Cremonese-Norton, owner of Rose’s School of Dance in Hawthorne, NY. Support has been provided by the community, including the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department and the Thornwood/Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce. This year, the theater group has established a “Go Fund” to defray the cost of costumes. Any and all donations are much appreciated. The link is gofund.me/mpct_costume_fund