Gentlemen and Ladies

I saw Guys & Dolls last night at the Guthrie Theatre with a friend. I was quite fun, especially after having seen the old movie a couple of times previously.

The best actor/actress at the show last night was the woman who played Miss Adelaide. She was really fun and did a good job with the role. Most everything was spot on, but her performance stood out.

It was interesting to see how the stage set changed the show as a whole. It was hardly a bad change, but it just meant a different dynamic.

I was surprised by how much I liked the on-stage performances of Sky and Nathan, the two main gentlemen in the story. They were compelling and reminded me more of the character than the actor’s who had previously played them, ie Marlon Brando, and Frank Sinatra. I really liked this especially since it helped me better understand the characters instead of the actors.

I was really impressed by the choreography as well. The only things I didn’t like as much were a song replacement that wasn’t as good as the original, and one of the lesser characters, as she didn’t communicate the character as well. Although she was funny, I don’t think the character is supposed to be the kind of funny she communicated.

If you get the chance I would recommend at least seeing the film, it’s a fun, humourous show. Like many vintage musicals, the music is unique, and the topics are often at least somewhat lighthearted. If you can catch the live show I believe you’d enjoy that as well.

Why the photo you might ask?

Upon seeing it I thought it looked sort of old school, but it also looked like it could’ve been Sky Masterson, and Nathan Detroit, the main characters in Guys and Dolls, in their later years.