A sure thing

Something about the musical "Guys and Dolls" resonates with theatergoers.

Since its debut on Broadway in November 1950, the show has been revived numerous times by community theater troupes, on Broadway and on the high school stage.

When Jacobs High School in Algonquin performs the show this week, audiences will hear such recognizable songs as "Fugue for Tinhorns" (perhaps better known as "I Got a Horse Right Here"), "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat."

The Frank Loesser musical follows four romantically entangled characters: Jon Piel plays Sky Masterson, a professional gambler who falls for Sarah Brown, a soldier in the Save-A-Soul Mission played by Casey Holtz.

The more comical couple is Nathan Detroit, played by Mike Szymanski, and his fiancee of 14 years, Miss Adelaide, played by Jenna Johnson. Detroit is a nervous organizer of illegal games and Miss Adelaide is a burlesque dancer prone to psychosomatic illness.

"It has wonderful music and it has a great story and it's a lot of fun," said director William Glynn. "It's a well-balanced show in terms of dance."

Johnson, 18, of Algonquin, agrees the show is full of fun, especially for her. Her character, Miss Adelaide, is a showcase role and a great way to finish her high school acting career.

"I felt like this character was made for me," Johnson said. "I couldn't picture a more perfect role for myself. It's so fun."

However, the character is not without its challenges, Johnson admitted.

"Getting down the accent and her character and figuring out who she really is," are the most difficult aspects of the character, Johnson said.

Michael Szymanski, 18, of West Dundee, is dealing with an off-stage challenge -- he's recovering from very recent oral surgery. However, he's more than ready to get back to his stint as Nathan Detroit, even if his face remains a little puffy for the run.

Szymanski is an old pro when it comes to "Guys and Dolls." He played Sky Masterson in middle school and now is happily stretching his repertoire playing the comic lead portrayed in the 1955 movie by a favorite of his: Frank Sinatra.

"(Detroit is) more physical comedy and that's what I take to," Szymanski said. "I can have a lot more fun with a lot less boundaries."

Casey Holtz, 18, of Algonquin, has a little different challenge playing her character. Holtz finds little common ground with the straitlaced Sarah Brown.

"She's so different from me -- the man-hater, missionary woman," she said. "I like that she finds herself in the end of the story."

Jon Piel, 17, of West Dundee, portrays Sky Masterson, the suave high roller who woos Sarah Brown. Piel is happy to have the part, but is a little thrown by the whole "suave" thing.

"That's what I'm told I need to work on, basically," Piel said.

The company has been working hard, learning lines and practicing musical numbers. They even rehearsed during spring break.

"It had to happen if we wanted to make it good. And they were pretty good about it," Glynn said.

Aside from vacation rehearsals, Glynn has an unusual requirement for the cast: all actors must join a backstage committee.

"One of the strong, key things I believe in is that the kids should be involved in all aspects of the process," he said. "In other words, the kids do the program."

The students don't seem to mind it, either.

"It's probably the best system, because it's a way for everybody to be involved," Piel said. "It also gets you thespian points toward being in the International Thespian Society, which is the honors society for actors. It pulls everyone together."

"It shows that it's more than acting and being on stage to drama," Szymanski added.

The kids took on several jobs other than acting, from costuming to stage production to publicity.

"We had our opportunities when we were young, now its time for them," Glynn said. "They need to feel as if it's something they can take ownership in."

But while the students are heavily involved in all aspects of production, Glynn and a group of parent volunteers oversee each of the student committees to offer advice and, occasionally, to put the kibosh on unwise decisions.

"Obviously I'm not going to let them make every decision," Glynn added. "That could be a problem."

Glynn finds that requiring each student to participate on a committee also keeps any potential for inflated egos in check.

"Kids might think they're special because they're the lead," Glynn said. "I think that the person who built the set is just as special and the kid who runs the lights is just as special."

If you go

What: "Guys and Dolls"

Where: Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive, Algonquin

When: 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Tickets: $9 general admission and $8 for students and seniors. May be purchased at the school office and at the door

Call: (847) 658-2500