The production of “Guys and Dolls,” playing at the Playhouse Theatre on campus through Nov. 20, is a resounding success.
Once again, the Penn State School of Theatre’s Musical Theatre program is demonstrating the excellence that has become its calling card the past few years. Broadway casting directors have taken notice.
“Guys and Dolls” is the result of a collaboration that includes a first class team of directors, choreographers, designers and performers.
At the helm of this classic musical production is graduate student Meghan C. Hakes. Hakes directed the show as part of the requirements for a Master of Fine Arts degree.
“‘Guys and Dolls’ was my first choice,” Hakes said. “It is a classic, Golden Age piece of musical theatre. Working with this cast has been an incredible musical theater experience. This is an extraordinary, talented, cast.”
Hakes noted that “Guys and Dolls” is a tremendous undertaking at any level.
“It’s one of the biggest productions you can do. It has a big cast with a big setting,” he said.
When she graduates, Hakes plans to pursue a professional directing career. She said that Penn State provided a supportive environment in which to hone her craft.
As for the production of “Guys and Dolls,” Hakes believes audiences will be drawn to the show. “I hope the two relationship stories will touch the hearts of the audience. It’s an evening full of entertainment for everyone.”
Kevin Toniazzo-Naughton appears as lead character Sky Masterson.
“It is an honor as well to be playing such an iconic character. Getting the opportunity to feast on such wonderful wordplay, and beautiful music,” he says. “The role comes with its challenges definitely. To start, this is my first time ever playing a romantic character, and such a confident one at that.
“With such a stylistic and specific piece like Guys and Dolls, it requires a lot of focus and preparation to keep Sky organic and real, while keeping the specifically stylized nature of the show in mind. This is Penn State Centre Stage’s Guys and Dolls. Our goal is to make this production pop. We want to suck you into this colorful New York City.”
Stephanie Cowan plays Sky’s love interest, Sarah Brown.
“The most rewarding part of ‘Guys and Dolls’ has been being able to work with my classmates. I am a senior musical theatre major and being able to watch my classmates excel and grow throughout the process has been a wonderful experience,” says Cowan.
She continues, “My greatest challenge has been a specific scene in the show between Sky and Sarah. Junior year we are taught by Susan H. Schulman, the Broadway director, that ‘There is no such thing as a sweet little ingénue.’ During one of Sarah’s songs it is easy to fall into the trap of sweet little ingénue because the music is so grand and floating. The challenge is to find dynamics and really connect to the lyrics.”
Scenic designer Brie Vicek found the process exciting.
Speaking about the production she states, “We’ve taken a step away from the 1950s traditional production scenically as the show has taken on a story of its own as we move scene to scene without hiding the changes.
“This speeds up the show and creates a page turning feel to the story. However I believe that what’s special to this particular production of the show is in the direction that you watch the stories of all our individual characters weave throughout this fable. I have enjoyed being part of the creation of this story and watching these ideas come to life.”
Providing the musical direction was Timothy Hanson. “‘Guys & Dolls’ is a deceptively simple show,” he says. “It’s heightened style and broadness belie a nuance and subtlety that are really part of a bygone era. For example: the music may sound romantic and sweet in a song where characters are having a knock-down, drag-out battle of wills. Unlocking any show’s unique vocabulary is always a great challenge.”
Click HERE for more information or to buy tickets.
