A Musical Fable of Broadway

Guys and Dolls

More I Cannot Wish You. No, really! This perfect, professional production is a beautiful Bushel and a Peck of playfulness. Sue Me, if I’m not speaking the truth! If I Were a Bell I’d ring out the great news! They say that everything old is new again and Drury Lane’s resplendent revival of this “Musical Fable of Broadway” is proof positive of this old proverb. So please, do not miss this phenomenal production or, much like the marvelous Miss Adelaide, you’ll be Lamenting it for 14 years.

This visit to the gamblers’ world of 1950’s Manhattan, featuring many of Damon Runyon’s colorful and memorable characters, is a trip down memory lane for many audiences. But thanks to the talents of Tony-nominated Director and Choreographer Dan Knechtges, returning to Drury Lane after directing and choreographing SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, this revival is a relentlessly rousing romp. Called “the perfect musical comedy,” the production absolutely lives up to that slogan. Mr. Knechtges puts his own original touch on this presentation. A great script with timeless music, superb casting coupled with unique staging and bright, energetic choreography all contribute in making this delightful Tony Award-winning musical from Broadway’s Golden Era seem fresh again.

The entire 26-member company of this glorious production are fabulous, but showcase a few actors in notable star turns. Making this musical all her own, the aptly named Alanna Lovely is simply terrific as Miss Adelaide. She must be who Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling envisioned when creating the character of the talented nightclub entertainer at New York’s fictitious Hot Box Club. Stylish and sexy, ditzy, yet smart in all the right ways, Ms. Lovely totally captures this comic character. Previously seen at Drury Lane in RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA and SHREK, THE MUSICAL, Alanna Lovely leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind that she’s a beautiful young actress, an unrivaled vocalist and a gifted comedian. Her rendition of “Adelaide’s Lament” is a comedy lesson in itself; and her duet with Sister Sarah, “Marry the Man Today” brings down the house. If producers haven’t noticed Alanna before, this role should definitely catapult her to Chicago’s A-List of Musical Comedy Actresses.

Ms. Lovely is perfectly paired with one of Chicago’s comedic treasures, the incomparable Jackson Evans. As Nathan Detroit, a role played on Broadway by Nathan Lane, the brilliantly talented Mr. Evans absolutely owns this role. His comedic reactions, droll line-readings, mellow vocals and perfect timing are nothing short of brilliant. His duet with Miss Adelaide, “Sue Me, is a comic scene set to music. Evans is remembered for such diverse roles as his Jeff-nominated leading performance in Windy City Playhouse’s BOYS IN THE BAND, Chicago Shakespeare’s wonderful RIDE THE CYCLONE, Paramount’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Mercury Theater’s AVENUE Q, as well as Drury Lane’s MATILDA, SPAMALOT and HAIRSPRAY. Here, Jackson Evans mines every punchline, comic take and physical antic that brings the audience to tears with laughter. Mr. Evans is, once again, a master of mirth in this role.

Erica Stephan, who has brought audiences to their feet in so many leading and supporting roles, is gorgeous and flawless as the Salvation Army Doll, Sarah Brown. The actor’s clear soprano voice, her spot-on comic timing and the honesty of her relationship with every other character onstage are perfection. She’s paired with a new and brilliantly gifted newcomer to Drury Lane, handsome Spanish actor and singer, Pepe Nufrio. The chemistry between these two seemingly mismatched lovers is palpable. Like Ms. Stephan, Mr. Nufrio sings like a dream. Gorgeous duets like “I’ll Know” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” are breathtaking. Ms. Stephan’s “Follow the Fold” and “If I Were a Bell” absolutely delight; and Mr. Nufrio’s soulful solo, “My Time of Day,” is simple and lovely. Blessed with voices that are able to effortlessly belt out Frank Loesser’s songs, both actors are absolute perfection.  

Other excellent performances are Heidi Kettenring’s hilarious comic turn as the Salvation Army’s hard-nosed head honcho, General Carrtwright; Gene Weygandt’s warm, yet humorous portrayal of Sarah’s grandfather, Arvide Abernathy; Nkrumah Gatling’s Nicely-Nicely Johnson (his gospel, 11th hour production number, “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” is a bonafide showstopper). In addition, Christopher Llewyn Ramizez’ manic Benny Southstreet, Spencer Davis Milford’s boyish Rusty Charlie, and Jordan Anthony Arredondo’s very funny and entertainingly equine, Harry the Horse, are standouts. And the tall, imposing bully from Cicero, Illinois, Big Jule, is amusingly portrayed by KC McNeil. They all complement one another as the fraternity of Runyonesque gamblers, always looking for the next crap game.

The technical artistry in this production truly dazzles. Angela Weber Miller’s gorgeous Scenic Design makes Times Square twinkle, with special thanks to masterful Lighting Designer Lee Fiskness for his splashy suspended neon-lit marquees. Leon Dobkowski’s picturesque, period-perfect costumes, accented by the stylish hair and wigs designed by Ansley Hughes and Emily Santiago, all look great and add yet another layer to each actor’s characterization. 

The score of GUYS AND DOLLS will probably sound familiar, even to theatergoers who don’t know this show by heart. Songs like “Fugue for Tinhorns,” “If I Were a Bell,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “Luck Be a Lady” have become standards and even sound contemporary. Dan Knechtges’ skill as a talented Director and Choreographer shines in numbers like the opening prologue, “Runyonland,” the athletic “Crapshooters’ Dance,” the sexy “Take Back Your Mink” and especially in the revival meeting show-stopper, “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” The entire company absolutely gives their all to make this polished, professional production perfectly priceless. So Follow the Fold to the Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre for this Musical Fable of Broadway, where the 1950’s looks and sounds brand new again..

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 10-June 9 by Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Drury Lane box office, by calling 630-530-0111 or by going to www.DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area shows may be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.