Laura and Samara spend their days as non-profit unicorns and fill every spare minute exploring the world of musical theatre as BFFs (that’s Broadway Friends Forever). Follow @bffs613 on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Wrap up April with a theatre classic—Lost Baggage Musical Theatre brings a production of Guys & Dolls to Arts Court starting April 25. Premiering on Broadway in 1950 and winning the Tony Award for Best Musical, this gangster tale brings romance and comedy to the streets of New York City. We got to sit down with Jay Landreville, the assistant director, to talk more about the show, the cast and how Lost Baggage will be “rockin’ the boat” with their upcoming production.
Photo by Kristen Loreto
Apt613: For those who haven’t heard of Guys & Dolls, what are some of the main themes seen in the show?
Jay: Above all, as you can imagine, the main theme is love and how love wins in the end, along with all the things that can get in the way of love. Not only is there a lot of gambling in the show, but you might want to say that the characters are gambling on love. Reserved Mission leader Sarah takes a chance on smooth-talking gambler Sky, while ever-optimistic Adelaide clings to the hope that, Nathan, the man she has been engaged to for years will finally pop the question and make her dreams come true if he can leave his all too familiar gambling lifestyle behind once and for all. We can learn that for any relationship, love can be a gamble of sorts. This story is told through lovely ballads and toe-tapping numbers that will have the audience swooning and tapping their toes.
Apt613: Guys & Dolls from the classic era of musicals is full of melodic numbers. Tell us more about what it was like putting together big dance numbers.
Jay: I chatted with our choreographer Kristin Loreto, who was in charge of the majority of the big group numbers, who told me that while putting the larger dance numbers together may seem like a daunting task at first, the energy from the cast mixed with the rhythms of the music made it an incredible process. Each large dance number has a specific vision for creating the characters’ goals and ambitions through movement. The pieces of the puzzle come together from there with featured moments, subtle yet effective articulations and exuberant energy.
Photo by Kristen Loreto
Apt613: There is something intrinsically New York about Guys & Dolls. What role does the Big Apple play in the show?
Jay: Just like the hustle and bustle of New York, the show takes place over a few days, and is fast-paced just like the city itself. Much of the dialect in the show would also be considered New York slang for that time. Many of the characters live a hectic, fast-paced New York City life. New York lifestyle of the 1920 and 30s included underground gambling and cabaret-style dance performances, but even this lifestyle is contrasted by that of the missionaries who are doing their best to save the souls of the city’s ‘sinners’.
Apt613: What are you most excited for audiences to see with this production of Guys & Dolls?
Jay: I’ve been involved in this show on and off stage a few times and am enjoying it as much this time as the first. Each performer brings their flavour to the show and their role. Everyone has developed their character and there are several captivating solo and group performances that I am sure the audience will love; from well-known numbers like “Luck Be A Lady” and “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” to lesser-known, but powerful and touching, songs like “Marry the Man Today” and “Adelaide’s Lament.” Lastly, the witty dialogue and comedic timing of the cast are worth watching. This show is a classic that should not be missed!
Guys & Dolls takes place from April 25 to 28 at the Arts Court Theatre. Thursday to Saturday performances are at 8pm, with a Sunday matinee performance at 2 pm. Tickets start at $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
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