Though it is Oliver Platt's name that draws you into the theater, it is Lauren Graham and Tituss Burgess's performances as Adelaide and Nicely-Nicely Johnson you remember when you leave.
We watched the February 19th Matinée performance of Guys & Dolls at the Nederlander Theater on Forty First Street.
With the exception of Steve Rosen, all of the members of the ensemble fit the Damon Runyon mold. Rosen's tropical hat was the only out of place item on the stage. The remainder of the production ran like clockwork; down to the placement of the chairs by the members of the cast in rhythm with the music. The revolving entrances, the door to the mission as well as the revolving door to everywhere else were very clever devises.
I am normally against the use of video during a stage play, but its use as an enhancement to scenery is very well done. The plane to and from Cuba and the occasional passing of an El train, instead of being a distraction, is accepted as part of the show.
The insertion of Damon Runyon himself is a cute addition in the beginning, but he and his lit cigarette, became a bit much toward the end. This is commented on by Kate Jennings Grant's Sarah Brown character to the agreement of the audience.
The multiple parts played by each of the ensemble players, from shoeshine boy, to garage owner/police officer and everything in between was a marvel to watch.
Let us not forget the Hot Box Girls. Hoo boy, they were fun to watch, with Lauren Graham extremely hot in each of their musical numbers. Her smile won the audience over quickly.
The major players, Oliver Platt as Nathan Detroit, Craig Bierko as Sky Masterson and Kate Jennings Grant as Sister Sarah did their jobs well enough, but Miss Graham and the rest of the cast carry the show. Jim Ortlieb and Mary Testa as the Grandfather and General both have their moments on stage, filling out the musical numbers so that each of them were memorable.
This is petty, I know, but the automatic umbrella used by Craig Bierko as he walks up onto the stage annoyed the historian in me.
The greatest disappointment was lack of an original cast CD. I want one as soon as it is produced.
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