Classic Theatre of Maryland’s production of Guys and Dolls is a colorful extravaganza of singing and dancing. The 1950 musical, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, follows gamblers and organizers of an illegal craps game as they try to make one big score, only for love to interrupt their plans. Directed by Sally Boyett, it is a fun, high-energy way to end the season.
Tommy Malek plays Nathan Detroit, a gangster looking for a new place to host his long-running craps game, as a comic rogue. Quick on his feet with a retort and an explanation, he concocts a desperate plan to get the money to rent a place. “The Oldest Established” is a hilarious testament to his abilities. His relationship with longtime girlfriend Adelaide (Monica Ricketts) is highly comic, trying hard to avoid marrying her. “In Sue Me,” he shows his true feelings for her, despite trying to dismiss it.
Ricketts plays Adelaide with excellent comic timing. A nightclub singer, she sings the numbers “A Bushel and a Peck” and “Take Back Your Mink” with knowing winks. “Adelaide’s Lament” has her comically sneezing and realizing her symptoms are from Nathan’s hesitation to get married, while “Adelaide’s Second Lament” turns it heartrending. She stands up for herself in “Sue Me.”
Alec Brashear brings a hardness hiding vulnerability to Sky Masterson, a lucky gambler who makes a difficult bet with Nathan. He weaves his way to Sarah (Stephanie Meadowcroft) in her Mission, making her an offer she can’t refuse. In “My Time of Day,” he shares his feelings toward her, even telling her his real name. In “Luck Be a Lady,” he sings a plea for his bet to work out.
Meadowcroft brings a toughness to Sarah Brown, leader of the Save-a-Soul Mission on Broadway. She rebuffs Sky’s charms at first, singing in “I Know” of her determination to wait for the “right” man. Her reaction to entering a Havana nightclub is hilarious, as is her introduction to a “Cuban milkshake.” She sings joyfully of loosening up in “If I Were a Bell,” and, with Adelaide, of her plans for Sky in “Marry the Man Today.” Her singing voice sounds nearly operatic in its power.
Brian Davis plays Arvide Abernathy, Sarah’s assistant in the Mission, with a fatherly kindness. In “More I Cannot Wish You,” he urges Sarah to follow her heart, while reminding Sky of his obligations. He is intimidating as gangster Big Jule, making the gamblers continue to play long after they are finished, and eventually play by his own rules.
John Pruessner brings excellent comic timing to Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Nathan’s assistant, always with the perfect response. With Benny (Tommy Dougherty) and Rusty (Kyle Donovan), he sings of the joys of gambling in “Fugue for Tinhorns.” “Guys and Dolls” has him singing dismissively of the sacrifices men make for the women they love. In “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” he testifies to a crazy dream that sets him on the straight and narrow.
Nancy Krebs brings an enthusiasm to General Amanda Cartwright, leader of the Mission, overjoyed at all the sinners who have joined them, and how a wager was the means to do it. Dexter Hamlett brings an aggressiveness to Harry the Horse, confidant to Big Jule, explaining why they should not make the visiting gangster angry. Kyle Donovan brings a comic zeal to Lieutenant Brannigan, eager to catch Nathan and his friends in the act.
Mackenzie Koehne, Sara Davis, Ava Cusiter, Anna Langlois, Luke Grayson, Broxton Cook, and Adam Andrews make up the Ensemble, as nightclub dancers, gamblers, and Mission workers. They serve as a chorus in “Luck Be a Lady,” circling around Brashear, and “The Oldest Establishment,” complementing Malek.
Costume designer Sally Boyett and wig designer Tommy Malek capture the era with fedoras and striped suits for the men and long dresses for the women. Sarah looks very prim in a red jacket and black skirt, while Adelaide is wild in her showgirl outfits, including a long black dress, pearls, and a mink stole.
Lighting designer Adam Mendleson reflects the changing atmosphere with different lights. For the craps game in a sewer, green light bathes the stage. Bright lights shine for Adelaide’s stage-show numbers. Sound designer William K. D’Eugenio ensures the performers are audible, while music director Maureen Codelka keeps the music in balance with the singing. Sally Boyett creates spectacular dance sequences, with tap, spins, and leaps; “The Crapshooters’ Dance” is especially stunning, with each performer throwing their dice in a different way. Lots of movement even in the spoken scenes keeps the action going. The performers hit every moment perfectly and sing with high energy and passion. Mixing humor and heart, Guys and Dolls is a good bet to catch.
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
Guys and Dolls plays through July 26, 2026, at Classic Theatre of Maryland – 1804 West Street, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($61–$89), call the box office at 410-415-3513, email BoxOffice@classictheatremaryland.org, or purchase online.
