Theater review: Throckmorton’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ loads of fun
Throckmorton Theatre has another hit on its hands. Like the company’s “Les Misérables” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” its all-student “Guys and Dolls” is a high-energy wonder on a completely charming set by resident artist Steve Coleman and Jean-Paul LaRosee. Featuring students from as nearby as Mill Valley and as far away as Petaluma, the classic musical runs through Nov. 10.
Its story, lifted by writers Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows from a couple of 1920s and 1930s Damon Runyon short stories, with lovely upbeat songs by Frank Loesser, remains a recurring favorite in community and regional theaters 74 years after its Broadway debut. San Francisco Playhouse mounted a tremendous production of the show almost a year ago. While the Throckmorton’s effort lacks San Francisco Playhouse’s professional polish, it compensates with infectious enthusiasm — both onstage and in the audience. The nearly full house on opening night was truly an exercise in joyful noise, propelled by a superb six-piece band led by Daniel Savio at the piano just below center stage.
Directed and choreographed by Mariya Shpungina and Lisa Townsend, “Guys and Dolls” is a harmlessly beguiling depiction of street-level gamblers, urban missionaries hoping to save them from their evil ways, and, in the finest Shakespearean tradition, two parallel love stories. It features some of the greatest songs of the mid-century — some permanently enshrined in the Great American Songbook, notably “Luck Be a Lady,” a monster hit for Frank Sinatra, and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” arguably one of the best love songs ever penned. Every song in this show — solo, duet or otherwise — is delivered with passion and panache.
On opening night, Finn Davis was outstanding as high-roller Sky Masterson, matched by Hannah Canin as Save-A-Soul Mission officer Sgt. Sarah Brown. Hayden Haveland was excellent as hustler and crap-shooting organizer Nathan Detroit, and Merrill Cover was wonderful as Nathan’s long-suffering fiancée — a 14-year engagement! — Miss Adelaide, queen bee of nightclub entertainers the Hot Box Girls. Jack Lapic put in a nice performance as the taciturn Big Jule, a visiting gambler from Chicago. These five primary roles are performed on alternating dates by Felix Maxwell, Maddie Basich, Tony Morales, Elyse Faherty and Helen Kay, respectively.
Avi Hennessey appears in every performance as police inspector Lt. Brannigan, as does Parker Hall in the pivotal role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson. Zoe Neal brings an admirable amount of gravitas to the part of Arvide Abernathy, a senior officer of Save-A-Soul. So does Gracie Leimsieder as General Matilda Cartwright, top brass of the missionaries.
Because it debuted in the early 1950s, “Guys and Dolls” is often assumed to be about that era, but it’s actually a riff on the pre-war period. Costume designer Lyre Alston hedges her bets, leveraging elements of the ‘50s and avoiding the zoot suits and wide-brim hats of the ‘30s. The result is a satisfying mid-century reference without specifics. To their credit, most of the performers don’t attempt plausible New York or Chicago accents.
With the police on their trail, the gamblers fervently roll the dice all night long. The Save-A-Soul Mission works overtime to save them — and the Mission itself. Ultimately, true love unites Nathan and Adelaide, and Sky and Sarah. The whole meandering but tightly woven story is beautifully held together by Loesser’s gorgeous score.
“Guys and Dolls” is both a wonderful redemption story and a superb piece of Americana. The fact that it’s performed in the quirkiest, most iconic venue in Marin by a cast of talented youngsters makes it even more so.
Barry Willis is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and president of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle. Contact him at barry.m.willis@gmail.com
If you go
What: “Guys and Dolls”
Where: Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
When: Through Nov. 10; 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; 7 p.m. Nov. 7
Admission: $25 to $45
Information: 415-383-9600; throckmortontheatre.org
Rating (out of five stars): ★★★ 1/2