Guys and Dolls is not an overly serious show. Based on the short stories of Damon Runyon, who sent up the demimonde of gamblers and showgirls in Prohibition-era New York City, its baseline setting is breezy and fun. But the production now onstage at Drury Lane takes the broad comedy so far that the characters too often feel like they’re in on the campy shenanigans rather than inhabiting their lives, giving the proceedings a decidedly wacka-wacka quality that quickly wears out its welcome.
The show’s biggest problem lies in the casting of Jackson Evans in the lead role of Nathan Detroit, organizer of the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York. Evans gives us a Nathan in full-on nebbish mode, which, though amusing at times, just doesn’t suit a character famously played by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nathan Lane and Oliver Platt. There’s a certain wry and knowing quality the character must possess even as he plunges into ridiculous predicaments. Evans is talented, but he doesn’t seem zoot-suited for the assignment.
No one would look to this Nathan Detroit to provide serious gambling action. He’s a pure mark through and through. Yet showgirl Miss Adelaide (Alanna Lovely) somehow sticks with this guy for 14 years waiting for her ring. Why?
The romantic pairing of Pepe Nufrio as masterful gambler Sky Masterson and Erica Stephan as soul-saving evangelist Sarah Brown fares much better. Their storyline is a delight to watch, thanks to their grounded performances, fine singing and strong chemistry, the last of which is critically important to making their love-at-first-sight meeting believable.
Aiding them in that cause is Gene Weygandt, who does a lovely job looking out for Sarah and nudging her to live a little as her grandfather and fellow missionary, Arvide Abernathy. He elevates the minor role with his gentle wit and generous spirit.
Other highlights include Heidi Kettenring, who shows she’s more game than she seems at first blush as the Mission’s General Cartwright. As Big Jule, a menacing, mobbed-up gambler from Cicero, KC McNeil lives up to the character’s name and gives the General an unlikely run for her money. And Jordan Anthony Arredondo makes the most out of the small role of Harry the Horse, getting big laughs with every put-upon whinny, neigh and hoof stomp.
Director and choreographer Dan Knechtges hits pay dirt in the latter role, creating a series of energetic, engaging dance numbers. The sets are gorgeous and the singing of Frank Loesser’s songs is solid throughout, but particularly in “If I Were a Bell” and “Luck Be a Lady.”
Not every gamble pays off, but there’s enough enjoyment in this production to keep it from crapping out.
Guys and Dolls runs through June 9 at Drury Lane Theatre.
For a full roundup of reviews of this show, visit Theatre in Chicago.
Photo by Brett Beiner
