Guys and Dolls has been described as the perfect musical comedy, replete with all the noisy, humorous characters only Damon Runyon could create. From cast to crew, ushers to box office volunteers, over 100 people from the central Oregon coast participated in bringing this Broadway classic to the beach. Take a handful of lovable gamblers, add a few wisecracking dolls, mix in some soul-saving missionaries, stir in a dash of toe-tapping music and a pinch of exciting dance routines and you have the recipe for a stunning night’s entertainment. Porthole Players veteran, Dan Buckout, plays Nathan Detroit whose singular purpose is to find a location for the “oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York” while staying in the good graces of his fiancé of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide, a dancer at The Hot Box Nightclub. Devonee Trivett, who is also no stranger to the stage, portrays Adelaide who, on the other hand, has her sights set on becoming Mrs. Nathan Detroit and to ending Nathan’s gambling days. In an attempt to raise funds to rent a place for the crap game that his nemesis, Lt. Brannigan (Kenn Klein), hasn’t thought of yet, Nathan makes a bet with fellow gambler, Skye Masterson, played by Mitch Watney in his second role with the Porthole Players. The bet is that Nathan can pick a “doll” that Skye cannot convince to go to Havana with him. Nathan’s choice is the pure-at-heart urban missionary Sister Sarah Brown, artfully portrayed by Sara Coxen. As this unlikely romance heats up, so does the show. Nathan’s good friends Nicely-Nicely (Jerry Smith), Benny Southstreet (Brian Haggerty) and Rusty Charlie ( Steve Travis) try to assist him in finding a suitable place for the crap game and to keep Adelaide and Lt. Brannigan from finding out, while Harry the Horse (Cris Torp), Big Jule (Jim Watson) and a host of other salty characters anxiously await news of where the game is to be held. Director/Choreographer Vicki Steen is to be applauded for a job well done. The lively music of Frank Loesser lends itself to several terrific dance numbers, including “Take Back Your Mink” to which Adelaide and The Hot Box Dolls perform a saucy bump and grind amid cheers and cat-calls from the audience.

Depicting Times Square, a New York nightclub, a Havana nightclub and a sewer under the streets of New York all on one stage seems a daunting task, but the set design team has done a splendid job with a minimum of disruption. The wardrobe and costumers also deserve kudos for their efforts in recreating the late 40’s styles.

All in all, an enjoyable evening of entertainment. Thanks to Executive Producer, JoAnn Buckout, and the entire production team for bringing a taste of Broadway to the coast. Copyright © April 29, 2001 by Ruth Flanagan