'Guys and Dolls' dances way back to Naperville
It was 1940s New York City, the guys were gamblers, the dolls were their companions and the music was upbeat and bright.
The perennial chestnut, "Guys and Dolls" is back again, this time gracing the Summer Place Theatre stage beginning today for a two-weekend run in Naperville.
"It's a classic American musical love story," director Tim Mullen said.
Mullen, who has several Summer Place productions to his credit, including "A Chorus Line" and "Footloose," said he made a concerted effort to keep the details true to the time period.
And though World War II was raging and times were tough, Mullen said people found ways to keep things light.
"They danced, they went out," he said.
The story is about two couples. Sky Masterson, a reckless gambler, romances a mission worker, Sister Sarah Brown. Meanwhile, gambler Nathan Detroit keeps his longtime fiancée, Adelaide, at an emotional distance.
The plot traces the characters' criss-crossing trajectories, inter-spliced with familiar numbers such as "Luck Be a Lady," "My Time of Day" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat."
Mullen said the show's longevity and immense popularity among community theater troupes makes it a familiar one for many audience members - a familiarity that spurred him to change up the show in spots to keep it fresh.
"You run the risk, doing something over and over, you don't want people to be bored," he said, "We really make an effort to keep it lively."
For example, a nightclub scene features several walk-on actors portraying cigarette girls and servers.
Not only does the extra action add interest, it gives more players a chance to perform. Mullen said the 50-member cast also lends authenticity to scenes that take place on the pedestrian-heavy streets of New York.
Mullen said the clever set design, overseen by technical director David Lindley, will combine with stealthy set changes to seamlessly transport the audience from one location to another. As one backdrop is raised, another is lowered.
The show, which runs about two and a half hours - including a 15-minute intermission - is appropriate for all ages, Mullen said.
"Guys and Dolls," is the Naperville-based theatre troupe's third and final show of the summer season. Earlier this season, Summer Place presented "The Secret Garden" and "Arsenic and Old Lace."
In a departure from normal showtimes, the play is running Thursdays through Sundays for two weekends rather than Fridays through Sundays for three consecutive weekends.
"We arranged it so we didn't overlap with Naper Days and Ribfest," said Don Gingold, who is handling publicity for the show. "I think we ended up doing quite well, season-wise, with ticket sales."
If you go
What: "Guys and Dolls" presented by Summer Place Theatre
When: 8 p.m. today, Friday, Saturday and Aug. 7-9; 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 10
Where: Naperville Central High School's main auditorium, 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville
Tickets: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $8 for children younger than 12
Info: (630) 355-7969 or summerplacetheatre.org