Review: "Guys And Dolls" -- Gallery Players

   Gallery Players current production “Guys and Dolls” is a fun-filled rendition of a great old American Musical theatre classic.

   Amy Silver Judd lights up the stage with her delightful portrayal of Miss Adelaide.  Todd Covert is a great foil for Judd as the beloved louse, Nathan Detroit who has been promising to marry Miss Adelaide for 14 years.

   Nice work from Christopher Storer (Sky Masterson) and Kristin Yarger (Sarah Brown) who create the other "more serious" romance for the story.

   Director Mark Mann has assembled a capable ensemble. The stage is filled with many skilled singers and dancers including Ryan Kopycinski (Niceley Nicely), Kent Stuckey (Benny Southstreet) and Denae Sullivan (Arvide Abernathy).  It is a well-paced show supported by good music-making from music director Bryan Babcock and his orchestra. 

 The show was written and first-produced in the 1920’s. But the tunes and the story line are timeless.  The Gallery production is a pleasant piece. 

Review: "Mary Poppins" -- Pleasure Guild Of Nationwide Children's Hospital.

“Mary Poppins”, the stage musical, is based on a series of  eight Children’s books written by P.J. Travers from 1934 to 1988 and a 1964 Disney film.      A 2003 collaboration between Disney studios, Producer Cameron Mackintosh, songwriters George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and script writer Julian Fellowes fashioned a musical theatre version which opened in London in 2004 and debuted on Broadway in 2006 where it garnered several Tony nominations and awards. 

    Pleasure Guild’s current Central Ohio production is filled with joy, energy, great singing and dancing, beautiful costumes, a fabulous orchestra and that extra bit of stage magic that reflects the title character’s special powers.

   This was opening night, and some of the scene shifts and technical effects were a little rough. 

    The show features a huge cast, crew and support staff with some of Central Ohio’s most skilled and capable theatre people.

   Brandon Fox is especially noteworthy in the role of Bert. His stage presence, dancing, singing and characterization are spot-on.  Kristen Basore is excellent in the title role. David Bahgat, (George Banks) brings energetic creativity to his portrayal.  

   I always enjoy seeing Central Ohio theatre friends having a good time on stage. Julie Russell has fine vocals and appearance as the bird woman. She obviously enjoys the tap dancing opportunities as part of the chimney sweep chorus.  

   It was good to see other theatre friends in this production – including Luther Center, Emma Lou Andrews, Dayton Duval and the entire Cremean family – Kate, Tim and their children David and Emily.

I usually prefer live theatre over film versions of shows – even when the movie came before the stage adaptation, as is the case with this production.  Pleasure Guild’s rendition of this beloved classic provides a wonderful piece of theater entertainment that the entire family can enjoy.