by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
The Springer Opera House, a staple of the Columbus, Ga. community, which was officially deemed “The State Theater of Georgia” by former President Jimmy Carter, hosts an exhilarating array of classic and contemporary productions annually, drawing legions of theater enthusiasts from across the US.
This historic opera house’s latest production of Frank Loesser’s acclaimed musical “Guys and Dolls” proved to be one of the theater’s finest performances I’ve seen to date, featuring Broadway caliber lead performers, a stellar ensemble, viscerally stunning costuming, and immersive set design, completely transporting the audience back to the bustling streets of 1950’s Manhattan.
The curtain draws on the hapless, lovable rapscallion, Nathan Detroit (portrayed by T. J Besler, who fully encapsulates this role while making his performance debut at the Springer Opera House ) who is frantically scheming ways in which to earn a swift $1,000 that he owes to a no-nonsense, big-wig gambler.
Detroit, joined by his loyal cronies, Benny Southstreet (played with a pitch perfect Bronx dialect and comic timing by Micah Weese) and Nicely-Nicely (played by the multi-talented Jacob Nixon, whose soaring vocals and unmatched dance skills shine in every scene in which he is featured) attempts to hide his unscrupulous gambling inclinations from his longtime love, the long-suffering Miss Adelaide (played with spellbinding charisma by Meagan Cascone, whose Bostonian drawl, sharp delivery, and wildly unique take on the infamous leading “Doll” of the show is nothing short of iconic), a fast talking, sassy cabaret star of “The Hot Box.”
Quite literally lovesick, Miss Adelaide relentlessly prompts her frustratingly trepidatious fiancé to finalize their wedding plans, after 14 years together.
Meanwhile, the enigmatic, debonair high roller, Sky Masterson (embodied by David Rudy Perez with a charm and aplomb which rivals that of “Ole Blue Eyes” himself), places a high stakes bet with the desperate Detroit that he can convince the straight laced, no- nonsense mission worker, Sarah Brown (played by Chelcy Cutwright, a Springer Opera House regular leading lady-recently seen in both “Dreamgirls” and “The Bodyguard,” among others, who embodies her role with a mutual sweetness and sternness that fully conveys Sister Sarah’s character) to accompany him on a trip to the tropical Havana.
High octane hi-jinks, hilarity, and lots of outstanding song and dance numbers ensue as the overlapping storylines unfold, taking each of our characters on adventures exceeding their wildest expectations as they bargain, barter and navigate their ways through stress inducing bets, seedy gambles, tumultuous relationships, and question the real meaning of life as a scrappy street gang and a Christian missionary collective collide in the ultimate culture clash.
A few of the many stand out songs from the musical’s menagerie of toe-tapping tunes, includes “Adaleide’s Lament,” “Sue Me,” “I’ll Know” and perhaps the most widely recognizable number, “Luck Be a Lady.”
A quintessential American theater classic, “Guys and Dolls” has been cherished and beloved for over five decades for its colorful cast of characters, memorable tunes and unflappable spirit
The Springer Opera House’s production will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest productions to be performed on the illustrious stage
Special thanks to the wonderful Allie Kent for facilitating our visit for this spotlight feature.
WEBSITE: www.springeroperahouse.org
PHONE NUMBER: (706) 327-3688
INSTAGRAM @springeroperahouse
