Posted by Mary Wimberley on 1999-04-19

Samford University Theatre will team with the Samford School of Music to present the musical comedy "Guys and Dolls" April 30 through May 2. Performances will be at 8 p.m. on April 30 and May 1, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 2, in Wright Center Concert Hall.

Based on a story and characters by Damon Runyon, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, "Guys and Dolls" highlights the color of New York City's interesting low life.

Sometimes called the "perfect musical comedy," the show showcases many favorite songs, including "Bushel and a Peck," "Sue Me," and "Luck Be a Lady."

Don Sandley, chair of speech and theatre, directs the production. School of Music dean Milburn Price conducts the accompanying Samford Orchestra. Music faculty member G. William Bugg provides vocal direction. Eric Olson is set designer and Barbara Sloan is costume designer. Others on the artistic team are Lorah Bond, assistant director and Aaron Pelz, lighting designer.

The fable of love, marriage and temperance stars Chris Nelson as Nathan Detroit, operator of a legendary floating crap game, who has evaded marriage for 14 years to his chorus girl fiancée, Adelaide, played by Kelly Miller. Back onto the scene bursts the glamorous Sky Masterson, played by Michael Cleveland, who tries to woo Save-a-Soul mission leader Sara Brown, played by Jennifer Baxley. In the end, all get more than they gambled for. Others in the ensemble are Brian Hill, Chris Hawk, Jeremy Dabbs, LaShanna Price, Erica Currington, Nancy Moore, Lance Maddox, Trey Abbott, Andy Davis, Brian Foster, Michelle Mount and Dana Dews. There are also 14 Hot Box Dolls, six Cuba dancers and 11 gamblers.

Ticket prices range from $5 to $7. For information and reservations, call the Samford Theatre Box Office at 870-2853.

On opening night, Friday, April 30, Samford will host a dinner in the Rotunda Club on campus. For dinner reservations, call 870-2951.

 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.