Cappies Review: 'Guys and Dolls' at Herndon High School

by Devin Lucas of St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Looking for rousing, entertaining, and hilarious night out? Come over to Herndon High School and journey into the world of 1950s New York City, where gamblers run amok in the night and missionaries sweep the streets for sinners.

Based on several of the short stories of Damon Runyon, "Guys and Dolls" tells the rollicking and of two notorious gamblers attempting (and sometimes failing) to change for the women they love. "Guys and Dolls". with a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, first premiered on Broadway in 1950 to critical and public acclaim. Since then, it has won the Tony Award for Best Musical, been adapted into a 1955 movie, and been revived throughout the US and the UK.

With shining lights, a love story full of spontaneity and mayhem, and a strong reputation as a classic musical, "Guys and Dolls" can be quite a difficult show to take on. The students at Herndon High School, however, approached it with gusto, taking on this beast of a show and turning out a night of fun for all.

The shining star of this production was found in Allie Lytle, who portrayed the character of Miss Adelaide, a showgirl at the Hot Box and 14-year fiance of Nathan Detroit. From the moment Lytle entered the stage, she carried her character with the perfect balance of enthusiasm, accent, showgirl flair, and genuine feeling. Her even and fantastic vocals shone in tandem with her acting, and she struck a perfect balance, acting every nuance of her character. Alongside her, Jordan Rees played the character of Nathan Detroit, a man who runs a crap-shoot ring, with charm, comedic timing, and excellent dancing. His excellent comedic timing kept the audience laughing, his vocals were sweet and sure, and his dancing, shown especially in the "Crapshooters' Ballet" added to his character and performance fantastically.

Other excellent performances were delivered by actors such as Erin Maxwell and Kishan Rao. Maxwell, who played Sarah Brown, a devout missionary set on saving the souls of New York, played her character with the perfect combination of comedy, up-tightness, and sweetness. Her high and clear vocals were impressive and her character development was well-timed and thought out. Rao, who portrayed the character of Sky Masterson, a notorious gambler, approached the role with charm, heart, and smooth vocals. Together, the two were a convincing and sweet couple who worked well together and made every scene funny and heartfelt.

Although the show was excellent, there were a few overall weaknesses that, although not unique in high school theatre, affected the show. Tech issues were the most notable, with mic blips, inconsistent spotlights, and random occurrences of the house lights coming up. The ensemble, though incredibly and notably consistent with their blocking and choreography, sometimes lacked the energy needed for the most rousing numbers of the show.

That said, the strong performances, clear vocals, and fantastic staging of this show outweighed any weaknesses. The lights were bright, the characters strong, the plot convincing and engaging, and my heart full.