On the last weekend of April, The Non-Stop Players performed their opening weekend show of “Guys and Dolls” at the Actor’s Cabaret and Annex in downtown Eugene. Directed by Karen K. Olsen and put on by The Non-Stop Players, the show is well worth buying a ticket for.
“Guys and Dolls” tells the story of two romantic struggles: the first between a showgirl, Miss Adelaide, and a craps game manager, Nathan Detroit. Detroit runs from married life throughout the show, to the dismay of Miss Adelaide. The second is between traveling gambler, Sky Masterson, and local mission worker, Sarah Brown. Masterson enters a bet with Detroit that he can get the lovely Miss Brown to accompany him to Havana, Cuba.
The show is full of ups and downs, as the characters balance love and their own ambitions in 1950s New York City. With enthusiastic dance numbers and charming leads, the show is a hard one to pull off. Although they had a few rough moments –– particularly with the ensemble crew –– The Non-Stop Players still performed the show well.
The quaint dinner theatre venue provided a great setting for the classic romantic comedy musical. Viewers could enjoy dinner before the show, followed by dessert and drinks as the actors performed the show on stage.
The intimate setting was lovely, making visitors feel like they were part of the show as they watched actors on stage perform. For Eugene locals looking for a great place to spend a weekend evening, I would suggest trying out the Actor’s Cabaret. It’s a lovely venue with kind staff and good service. Who doesn’t love dinner with a show?
Despite the lack of onstage chemistry between Brown (Hannah Rudkin) and Masterson (Spencer Williams), their performances together were sweet and full of laughs.
A highlight for the two actors was Rudkin’s drunken rendition of “If I Were A Bell.” Williams chased her character around the stage, keeping her from toppling over into the audience. Rudkin’s angel-esque voice echoed through the theater, bringing Sarah Brown to life on stage.
The true highlight of the show was the other lovable bickering couple: Jillian Vogel as Miss Adelaide and Hayden Shoop as Nathan Detroit. They pulled off the heated, love-filled arguments well and had impeccable comedic timing during their time on stage together. Shoop and Vogel’s respective performances were both right on the money, bringing “Guys and Dolls” to life beyond a reasonable doubt.
Vogel as Miss Adelaide enamored the crowd as she whined, cried, giggled and sneezed her way across the stage. A personal favorite of mine was “Adelaide’s Lament” during the first act, as she waited for her fiancée to finally commit to marriage. Her vocal creativity and range as Miss Adelaide truly shone. She was a delight to see.
Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Garett Poncho) and Benny Southstreet (Reece Miller-Reynolds) were also a charming pair on stage, delivering fun musical numbers and quick banter as they prepared for the craps game ahead. Although there were some stumbles from the ensemble crew, these leads brought “Guys and Dolls” to life, embodying their characters with grace and accuracy.
My personal favorite part of the show was the work done behind the scenes. The sets were creatively done, cleverly morphing the stage at the Actors Cabaret into different parts of old New York City. The costumes were show-stopping, embodying the characters and the time period perfectly. The choreography made great use of the space and showed immense creativity. My sincerest applause goes to the crew; their work shone brightly on stage Saturday, April 26.
Overall, I would recommend seeing the show. Shortcomings can be overcome, and the show is well worth it for the laughs and lovable energy the cast brought to the stage.
“Guys and Dolls” will be onstage May 2-4, and May 9-11 at the Actors Cabaret and Annex of Eugene. For tickets and more information, visit their website.
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