The fine arts department’s 2014 Spring production will be Guys and Dolls drama teacher Kelly Cooper has announced. The 1950s musical captures the essence of the hustle and bustle of New York City and its petty criminals in the Roaring 20s.
“This play has lots of parts – show girls, gangsters, New Yorkers, missionaries – that will allow all of our interested students to be in the play,” Resi Dolbee, dance instructor, said.
Guys and Dolls will be performed in West’s auditorium April 3, 4 and 5 starting at 6:30 p.m. Student tickets will cost $5 and adult tickets $8.
The story follows a gambler, Nathan Detroit, who has organized an illegal crap (dice) game and is under pressure from the police. When the owner of the Biltmore garage will not accept an IOU, Nathan must find the money to pay him. To make matters worse, his showgirl fiancé, Miss Adelaide, wants him to put aside his life of illegal gambling and get married. Despite her wishes, Nathan makes a bet with fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, in hopes to make money for the garage. The bet is that Sky will not be able to woo the stuck-up Sarah Brown. Though, in attempt to do so, Sky falls in love with her.
The principal cast includes seniors Jennie Battle, Connor Courtney, Quade Covill, Katie Miller, Lauren Morrison, Andrew Murray and Melanie Perez; juniors Joel Fennimore, David Heath, Jacob Lapanne, Vannah Jones, Evin Miller, Jacob Shoemaker, Andrew Spoov and Cavan Stanaway; sophomore Zakary Fulcher and freshman Bobby Slagle.
The hot box dancers will be performed by seniors Kaylee Allmond, Peyton Elswick, Jordan Privette and Maddie Tweed, juniors Keely Andress, Maggie Connor, Taylor Faulkner, Tyra Faulkner, Polly Phillips, Olivia Slagle and Traci Wyant, sophomores Savanna Branch, Samantha Byrd, Maddie Iurato and Madeline Popkin and freshman Kasey Marsh.
The Cuban Dancers will be performed by seniors Tyler Edney, Austin Learo and Lapanne, as well as Dolbee’s fourth period dance class.
The crap shooters will be performed by seniors Edney, Learo, Luke Oslund and Urian Kyung, juniors Heath and Lapanne and sophomore Levi Gibbs. The New Yorkers will be performed by senior Heather Levi, juniors Alex Ginn, Cody Reggie-Brown and Victoria Sellers, sophomores Skylar Haynes, Sydney Hogan, Taylor Martin, Alexis Morse, Rachel Raasch, Amy Reisman, Justin White, Alexis Whiteside, Annalyse Wilkins and Kiersten Woodring, and freshmen Allison D’Augusta, Gabby Burnette, Faye McCarson, Eden Simmons, Hannah Stepp and Emily Treadway.
The mission band will be performed by the third period chorus class.
Guys and Dolls has been featured on Broadway and even made into a movie. The musical itself has won a Tony Award and two Olivier Awards.
“We hope for a successful production that many students will be a part of and lasting memories of a fun play for all,” Dolbee said.
By Katie Farina
