Guys and Dolls at Lyric Stage with the Turtle Creek Chorale
Being at the final dress rehearsal for the Lyric Stage and the Turtle Creek Chorale production of Guys and Dolls Thursday evening was one of the most thrilling theatrical events I’ve witnessed. Imagine 140+ cast members including some of DFW’s finest performers bringing this classic musical to opulent life accompanied by a full orchestra. The sheer numbers here are impressive. But this Guys and Dolls goes beyond impressive to become a once in a lifetime event. The powerhouse production team helmed by the amazing Director Michael Serrecchia, who knows a thing or two about musicals, also boasts Music Director Bruce Greer, who must have worked countless hours to achieve this level of perfection from the singers and musicians, and Choreographer Kelly McCain, whose dance moves are always inventive, surprising, and a treat to watch and out does herself here where the choreography actually stopped the show at one point. Big kudos also to Conductor Sean Mikel Baugh, Lighting Designer Jason Foster, Sound Designer Scott Guenther, and extra big kudos to Costume Designer Tricia Guenther whose costumes are eye popping, colorful, sexy, and fun.
The lead performers include DFW theater icon B.J. Cleveland bringing all that Cleveland charm to the cop and marriage evading Nathan Detroit, Catherine Carpenter Cox immensely entertaining whether sniffling or belting as the longing to wed Miss Adelaide, Michael Leadbetter exuding leading man charisma coupled with a rich voice as the slick gambler Sky Masterson, and Abigail Bensman captivating, exciting, and quite a vocalist as the sin hating Salvation Army woman with a wild streak. Among the featured players Ryan Michael Friedman is outstanding as Benny Southstreet and the fabulous Dylan Markey rocked all our boats as Nicely-Nicely Johnson. The entire cast here, including all of Miss Adelaide’s Debutantes, the Gangsters, and the Salvation Army staff, are sensational dancers, singers, and actors who make Guys and Dolls soar. And when the vocals are backed by the phenomenal Turtle Creek Chorale this Guys and Dolls reaches the stratosphere.
I wish this show were running long enough for me to give it the full review it deserves, but I urge you to get tickets to one of the four performances. Guys and Dolls is destined to become a DFW theater legend that anyone who loves musical theater must not miss. You may never have the chance to see this musical so excitingly produced again. Go and be prepared to cheer.
Photos by Harper Belmont Studios
