No Dice — It's Delightful

by Devion Watson

Musical theatre has a way of pulling you into a completely different world, and Guys and Dolls at Gateway Playhouse did exactly that. From the moment the show began, it was clear this production was going to be full of energy, humor, and heart. Frank Loesser’s classic score combined with strong performances from the cast made for a really enjoyable night at the theatre.

As someone who already loves Guys and Dolls, I had high expectations going in, especially for characters like Sarah Brown and Miss Adelaide. Luckily, this production delivered in a big way.

Teresa Bonilla was absolutely incredible as Sarah Brown. Her classical trained voice really stood out in every song she performed. Her voice was clear, controlled, and beautiful, but also full of emotion when it needed to be. She fully captured Sarah’s transformation throughout the show and made the character feel real and relatable. I genuinely thought she was one of the strongest performers of the night.

Rue Way as Miss Adelaide was another major standout. From her very first scene, she brought so much personality and comedic energy to the role. Her timing was perfect, especially in moments like “Nathan!” where she completely had the audience laughing. At the same time, she showed a softer side that made Adelaide feel more human than just a comedic character. She was incredibly fun to watch every time she was on stage.

Eric Williams played Sky Masterson with a smooth confidence that really fit the character. I really enjoyed his chemistry with Bonilla, and it made their relationship feel natural and engaging. His voice suited the role very well, and he carried himself with the kind of charm Sky Masterson needs to have.

Mason Naman was excellent as Nathan Detroit. He really understood the humor of the character and delivered it in a way that felt natural instead of forced. His acting was strong throughout, and he kept the energy up in every scene he was in. He made Nathan Detroit both funny and believable, which is not an easy balance to pull off. 

Jacob Van Tine as Big Jule was hilarious and honestly a little intimidating at times. He fully committed to the role, making the character feel larger-than-life. One of the funniest moments was when he had his softer “I’m sorry” moment in the mission scene, which got a big laugh from the audience. 

Rich Bottaro brought a really warm and fatherly presence as Arvide Abernathy. His connection with Bonilla felt very natural and sincere, and it added a nice emotional layer to the show. 

Noah Baker as Benny Southstreet had great comedic energy, especially in scenes with Naman. Their timing together worked really well, and they made the gamblers’ scenes a lot more fun to watch.

Christian Hornig Fineran brought great energy to Nicely Nicely Johnson. He was entertaining every time he stepped on stage and helped keep the gamblers’ scenes lively and fun. His performance was full of personality, and he did a great job making Nicely Nicely one of the most memorable characters in the show.

Jack Lilley was excellent as Rusty Charlie. He fit naturally into the gamblers’ group and helped create the fun atmosphere that makes Guys and Dolls so enjoyable. His character work and interactions with the rest of the cast added a lot to the show’s comedic moments.

Johnny Keen gave a strong performance as Harry the Horse. He brought confidence and charisma to the role and felt right at home among the group of gamblers. His stage presence helped make every scene he appeared in more entertaining.

Tom Dalton was very funny as Lt. Brannigan. He brought a lot of personality to the role and played off the other characters well, especially during his scenes with Nathan Detroit. His performance added another layer of comedy to the production.

Chase Allen did a great job as Angie the Ox. He brought energy and commitment to the role and helped make the gamblers’ scenes feel authentic and lively. His interactions with the rest of the cast were fun to watch.

As Joey Biltmore, Tom Dalton once again showed his versatility by bringing a different personality to the stage. It was impressive to see him take on multiple roles while making each character feel distinct.

Rita Caporilli was delightful as Mimi. Though not one of the largest roles in the show, she made the most of her stage time and contributed to the colorful world of Guys and Dolls with charm and confidence.

Judi Forman brought warmth and authority to the role of General Matilda Cartwright. She captured the character’s caring nature while also showing the leadership qualities that make the General such an important figure within the mission.

Leah Whaley did a wonderful job as Agatha. She brought enthusiasm and commitment to the role and helped strengthen the mission scenes. Her performance added to the sense of community and heart that runs throughout the show.

The ensemble, made up of Juliana Brummett, Paloma Chevere, Shannon Colligan, Catherine Reinhardt, Kacie Burnett, Rita Caporilli, Audrey Hope Gill, Taylor Mulford, Andy Lachman, Karen Sutherland, Leah Whaley, Chase Allen, Anteo Chevere, Lucian Hartt, Johnny Keen, Jeamy Nguyen, Shawn Shuman, Emile Chevere, and Javier Sanchez, as a whole kept the energy of the show high from start to finish. The big musical numbers were full of movement, character, and excitement, and they helped bring the world of the show to life.

The pit orchestra, made up of Mike Moore on Percussion, Josh Tostevin on Woodwinds, Robert Roland on Bass, Dave Seals on Trumpet and Nick Sontag on Violin, was absolutely amazing. It was hard to believe there were only six players because the sound was so full and rich. The orchestra was conducted by Debbie Roland, who also played piano, and everything flowed perfectly with the action on stage.

The costumes were also very strong and fit the time period really well. They worked well with the set and helped define each character visually. Tina’s Costume, Inc. did a great job, and their work clearly supported the overall style of the production.

The set design was very creative and well thought out. I really liked how many of the pieces were multi-functional, which helped keep transitions smooth and the pacing strong. Set Designer Peter Avagliano, made great use of the stage and helped establish the world of the show clearly.

The production team worked together extremely well to bring everything to life in a cohesive and professional way.

The show was directed by Philip Pallitto, whose vision kept the production fun, clear, and true to the spirit of Guys and Dolls. The storytelling was easy to follow, and the pacing of the show felt strong from start to finish.

Choreography by Karen Cleighton was energetic and well-staged, especially in the big group numbers. The movement fit the style of the show perfectly and helped keep the energy high throughout.

Musical direction by Debbie Roland was outstanding. With such a small orchestra, she still managed to create a full, balanced sound that supported the cast beautifully while also leading from the piano.

Technical direction and scenic/lighting design by Peter Avagliano were extremely effective. The set was versatile, well-designed, and allowed for smooth transitions, while the lighting helped shape mood and focus for each scene.

Stage management by Kim Tunney kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes. The show moved at a great pace, which is a credit to strong organization and coordination.

Production assistants Gabby Shockley and Chip Garrison helped keep the backstage work efficient and supported the production in a way that clearly contributed to how seamless everything felt.

Assistant direction and choreography by Amy Anderson helped strengthen both the storytelling and the movement, adding extra polish to the overall production.

Costume design by Julie Jackson, along with Karen Sutherland and specialty costumes by Tina’s Costume, Inc., helped define each character clearly. The costumes were detailed, time-appropriate, and visually connected the entire world of the show.

Sound design by Mike Kropinack, assisted by Sarah Kropinack, supported the production well, keeping vocals and orchestra balanced so that nothing was lost in the mix.

Scenic artistry by Janelle Hawkes added detail and texture that helped the set feel more alive and visually interesting.

Lighting operation by Sam Walsh was clean and consistent, helping each scene shift smoothly and highlighting key moments on stage effectively.

Assistant technical direction by Jason Spatz contributed to the smooth running of technical elements, helping ensure everything stayed consistent throughout the performance.

Dramaturgy by Eric Williams helped support the clarity and understanding of the story, grounding the production in the world and style of the musical.

Overall, Guys and Dolls at Gateway Playhouse was a really enjoyable production with strong performances, great music, and solid design work. It stayed true to the classic feel of the show while still feeling fresh and exciting to watch.

If you hurry, you can catch their closing performance, June 7^th at 2:00pm, but if not, be sure to keep your eyes open for their upcoming shows at https://www.gatewaybythebay.org/UpcomingShows.cfm .