first night review: guys AND DOLLS @ Le Petit theatre

(Photo courtesy of Le Petit Theatre)

​Guys and Dolls @ Le Petit Théâtre
Review by Todd Perley

Guys and Dolls has been a nearly-ubiquitous presence of musical comedy on Broadway, in the West End, and all over America, for over 75 years. A list of its revivals would exceed my allotted word count. It won alllll the Tonys at its premier in 1950, and is a cornerstone of Broadway history. 

Yet somehow, this reviewer had never seen it! I was, though, thrilled to find that I’ve
accidentally featured most of the songs in my Mad-Men-era all-vinyl lounge DJ set called 'Cool Cats' at various venues around New Orleans for years. Frank Loesser’s music is sublime. Whether you go into the play blind, as I did, or you know the story and music backwards is irrelevant. You will most certainly have a helluva time at this classic show.

The book and music are adapted from several short stories by Damon Runyon, the Prohibition-
era journalist and author who specialized in the New York underground, bringing light and levity to gamblers, hustlers, gangsters, loose women, and the like. The play keeps these vibes as it
introduces us to the ne’er-do-wells of the Manhattan gambling scene, somehow making the underground family-friendly (without pandering).

This production at Le Petit (which plays throughout March) must be as good as the original Broadway cast. The several extended instrumental numbers of dynamic choreography
wordlessly bring us into the time and place, and introduce us to the characters in a unique and
exciting way. Donald Jones Jr. as Sky Masterson brings wicked charisma as he bets on everything. Stephanie Abry, playing the evangelist do-gooder Sarah Brown is a perfect offset to Sky’s sleazy scheming, and her cherubic voice mirrors Sarah’s angelic character.

Michael Paternostro plays Nathan Detroit - the ringleader of the gamblers and the craps game - with duplicitous charm, as he strings his fiancée along for some fourteen years. Leslie Claverie as the forever-jilted fiancée Adelaide wows the stage, recalling Bernadette Peters in her prime.

The rest of the cast and chorus are numerous and flashy enough to keep even the most ADHD-addled viewer focused, engrossed, and entertained. The action never flags, thanks to choreographer and co-director Jauné Buisson, and, like a hula dance, every move has a
meaning. Unlike a hula, I managed to understand the meaning. (I admit I can be a bit movement-illiterate at times...but not at this show.)

The orchestra (cleverly hidden under the stage, poor dears) is A+, bringing melodic comedy to
a litany of classic songs. I highly recommend you take this trip into the Valley of the Guys and Dolls. It’s a bet you can’t lose.

Guys and Dolls plays at Le Petit Théâtre through March 29th. Click here for show times and box office.