The Concordia University Players will present Guys and Dolls Thursday, November 8 through Sunday, November 11 in the school's Todd Wehr Auditorium on campus, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon.
Considered by many drama critics to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys and Dolls ran for 1,200 performances after opening on Broadway in 1950, winning the prestigious Tony Award for best musical that year. Over the years, it has had several revivals both on Broadway and in London, as well as a 1955 movie adaptation starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Frank Sinatra.
Directed by Concordia theater professor Lori Woodall-Schaufler, Guys and Dolls is based on two short stories by the famed author, Damon Runyon. The curtain will rise Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., while a 1:30 p.m. matinee is scheduled Sunday. “Our production features a mix of students from varied disciplines and grade levels,” said Woodall-Schaufler. “We also have a professional actor in the role of Arvide Abernathy and special cameo appearances by administrators and faculty.” Michael Havey portrays Abernathy, and in turn has been able to share his acting experiences with Concordia students during rehearsals, according to Woodall-Schaufler.
The cast of 28 actors and their roles are: Ethan Boester, Lt. Brannigan; Jonathon Gideon, Nathan Detroit; Ethan Karschnik, Sky Masterson; Jonah McGinnis, Nicely Nicely Johnson; Andy Kline, Benny Southstreet; Asher Puls, Rusty Charlie; Andrew Sear, Harry the Horse; Eli Duero, Big Jule; Cassidy Mertzig, Angie the Ox; Aidan O’Donnell, Liver Lips Louie; Carly Stanek, Ardis White; Cecilia Milner and Lauryn Heppe, Female Crapshooters; Eugene Pitchford, Joey Biltmore; Ardis White and Anna Thomack, Female Crapshooters Dancers; Cecilia Milner, Marlia King; Andrew Sear and Aidan O’Donnell, Havana Dancers; Angela Penterman, Miss Adelaide; Marlia King, Mimi; Lauryn Heppe, Ferguson; Cecilia Milner, Vernon; Carly Stanek, Allison; Anna Thomack, Mindy; Ardis White, Roxanne; Talitha Marshall, Sgt. Sarah Brown; Charlie Rosenthal, Gen. Matilda Cartwright; Jeremy Gaeth, Calvin; Olivia Zimmerman, Martha; Giovanna Greco, Agatha; Olivia Crooks, Agnes; Sabrin Staskal, Dorothy; and three familiar Concordia administrators and faculty as emcees – President Dr. Patrick Ferry, Dr. Randy Ferguson and Prof. John Horgan.
Tickets to all performances are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students 12 and older, $5 for veterans, $3 for students ages 5-11, and free for children under 5. To order advance tickets, call Concordia’s fine arts ticket hotline at 262-243-4444.
Other upcoming shows this school year are:
Robin Hood (Children’s Play), Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, February 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, Friday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Steel Magnolias, Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 27 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 28 at 1:30 p.m.
"Our production features a mix of students from varied disciplines and grade levels," noted Woodall-Schaufler. "We also have a professional actor playing Arvide Abernathy and special cameo appearances by administrators and faculty."
For further details, visit www.cuw.edu/fine arts/drama.
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