WHITTIER - A youth production of "Guys and Dolls" will open at the Blue Moon Theatre Company in Whittier on July 9.The musical will run for six shows Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. through July 18. Tickets are $10 and may be reserved by calling (562) 480-7951. Based on the Broadway stories of Damon Runyon, "Guys and Dolls" tells the tale of Nathan Detroit, the organizer of the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York, who bets fellow gambler Sky Masterson that he can't make the next girl he sees fall in love with him. That "next girl" is Miss Sarah Brown, a pure-at-heart Salvation Army-type reformer. Meanwhile, Nathan is having trouble with his own girlfriend, Adelaide, who after 14 years of dating is ready for marriage. Featuring the songs "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat," "Guys and Dolls" is a balance of story, dance, music and romance. "The cast is very talented and has worked hard for the past six weeks to put on a good show," said director Phil Roa, who has taught middle school in Whittier for 35 years. Written by composer Frank Loesser, "Guys and Dolls" won a Best Musical Tony for the original 1951 production, and a second Tony for Best Revival for the 1995 production starring Faith Prince and Nathan Lane. The musical also received international attention thanks to the 1955 MGM motion picture adaptation featuring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Frank Sinatra. The Blue Moon Theatre, an all-volunteer organization, is located at 16200 Amber Valley Dr. in Whittier.

********** Published: July 1, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 11