Goodspeed, East Haddam, CT
through June 20, 2015
by Shera Cohen
Most musicals include two or three memorable songs for
audience members to hum upon leaving the theatre. The exceptional shows might
offer four or five. Then, there are the “Guys & Dolls-type” productions in
the musical cannon, which boast at least 10 top hits that stick in your brain
for days or weeks at a time. It seems impossible for anyone to not know and
enjoy the following: “A Bushel & A Peck,” “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sue Me,” “The
Oldest Established,” “If I Were a Bell,” “Adelaide’s Lament,” “Sit Down, You’re
Rockin’ the Boat,” not to mention the title song.
Nancy Anderson & Mark Price (c) Diane Sobolewsk |
Originally staged on Broadway in 1950, two Damon Runyon
stories morphed into “Guys & Dolls” -- a tale about men and women in
boot-leggin’ NYC. The guys are gamblers with dice; their gals are gamblers in
love. The focus of the plot are two couples; Sky and Sarah (both quite
handsome), Nathan and Adelaide (both quite average). The audience roots for
love to conquer all in spite of numerous setbacks for this quartet of
vulnerable people. Most productions “star” Sky and Sarah. After all, they are
the pretty ones. Yet, Goodspeed’s star is clearly Adelaide. Nancy Anderson is a
knockout. Yes, she can sing (with a droll nasal New York accent), and her body
and legs are something to hoot at. More importantly, this gal can act. This
reviewer has oftentimes dismissed Adelaide as stupid and whiny, given filler
songs to beef up the show with humor. Anderson takes the shell that other Adelaides
on other stages have worn and fleshes her out, body and soul.
Mark Price (Adelaide’s beaux Nathan) plays conniving with a
sweet touch. Manna Nickols (Salvation Army drum-beating Sister Sarah) uses her
near-operatic voice throughout. Tony Roach (Sky Masterson...whata’ great name)
sings well, spices up “Luck Be a Lady” choreography with nice moves, but shows
little emotion in romantic scenes.
Superb is the word to describe the skills of the ensemble of
singers/dancers. Their accoutrements embellish their many fun moments; i.e.
herring bone suits, fedora hats, bouffant hairdos, and speaking style (just try
leaving out contractions...it’s not easy.) The jazzy, colorful set is primarily
NYC in lights, with side trips to the mission house, crap game cellar, and
Havana. The eight-piece band (only eight?) never eclipses the voices. So, be a
lucky lady or guy, and enjoy some great talent at Goodspeed.