Guys and Dolls

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

With Frank Loesser’s Broadway hit Guys and Dolls, featuring Steve Wilson as director, Donna Debreceni as musical director and Debbie Stark as choreographer, what more could one ask for … An incredible artistic cast, that’s what.

Lucy Roucis (Adelaide) and Jim Hubbard (Nathan Detroit) in PHAMALy’s production of Guys and Dolls.PHOTO: P. Switzer

That’s exactly what PHAMALy’s (Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League) production of Guys and Dolls has going for it: an awesome, incredible, talented cast. In their 15 years of “aliveability,” to date, Guys and Dolls is their top production, as rightfully it should be.

Every year the production gains strength and power, and this one is a knockout. With a short run, playing through August 1, it would be a crime to miss this show. Not because it is done by PHAMALy. Not because it sports a cast comprised of adults with disabilities, but because it is a gangbuster show, with fun, elegant, deceitful, conniving, cunning characters, rich music, strong voices, and strong artists who know how to dig deep to create honest characters, no matter how dishonest they may appear.

Cuddly dishonest, would be more like it. It’s New York City surrounding the world of the so-called underground gambler vs. the near pretend righteousness of the Save-A-Soul Mission.

It’s a love story between a Hot Box dance girl, Miss Adelaide (Lucy Roucis) and Nathan Detroit, (Jim Hubbard). Engaged 14 years, Adelaide nurses a forever, psychosomatic cold. She knows Nathan is a rat, but when push comes to shove, she loves him. When push comes to shove, Nathan loves the thrill of running a revolving crap game, barely one step ahead of the cops.

To confuse matters, Big Jule, (Edward Blackshere) and Little Jule, (Michael Danahey) Chicago gamblers come looking for action.

Then there’s Sky Masterson, (Leonard Barrett) a smooth-talking, suave, confident, high roller who breezes onto the scene. Determined to win a bet from Nathan, Sky seduces the uptight, straight-laced, naive Sergeant Sarah Brown. With the assistance of rum cocktails in Havana she flips, and he melts. With a golden voice, Lyndsay Giraldi captures the naive but well meaning Sarah.

Barrett with a good deal of theatrical experience went 10 years without performing. After this production every theatre in Denver doing musicals will be knocking at his door. He brings Sky to life with amusing strength, and a silky sexy compassion oozing from his expressive eyes.

Kathleen Traylor playas Captain Arlene Abernathy, Sarah’s aunt, with warmth and dignity. Her song “More I Cannot Wish You” is beautifully sung with gentle passion.

“Luck Be A Lady” with Sky, Gamblers, and Crapshooters in the sewer is a blockbusting showstopper not because of the power of the song, but the lighting is stunning. Designed by Dave Mazzeno, he creates the feel of reflecting light from the world above.

Roucis, an Equity actor, is legendary for her dogged determination and skill as she manages advanced Parkinson’s disease. She’s legendary for her upbeat inspirational attitude, and legendary as an actor/singer.

Teri Westerman plays General Cartwright, head of the Save-A-Soul Mission and Cuban Dancer. Yes, dancer. Westerman holds several International titles in wheelchair dancing, If you haven’t seen wheelchair dancing, you only think you know dancing.

Harry the Horse, a gambler, comes to life in the form and spirit of Tara Cowan. Although she says she can’t do accents, Harry the horse couldn’t be happier with his incarnation. She’s more fun than a bowl of monkeys.

The shrewd, cunning, sometimes bumbling, Nicely-Nicely Johnson stands tall in the saddle because of Stephen Hahn.

Every member of the cast deserves to be spotlighted. Every one of them has an extraordinary story to tell. Their theme centers on the song “Fuge for Tinhorns” about the racehorse Can Do. These actors Can and they Do.