CALL BOARD
Rehearsals are now underway for the upcoming production of A.R. Gurney’s THE DINING ROOM which is scheduled for January 30 and 31, 2009 on the Opera House stage. Cast members are encouraged to check for any changes in the schedule as we enter the holiday season. Due to the nature of the play, every cast member will not be required to attend every rehearsal. There will be a meeting of the entire cast and crew on Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00 in the Opera House. If you have not already responded to the notice sent out on Monday, November 24, please do so immediately.
GUYS AND DOLLS
Several of you have asked me what recording you should listen to in order to become familiar with the music for GUYS AND DOLLS. First of all do not judge the show by the movie. The stage musical is so different from the movie. While some of the songs are the same, several were added to meet the needs of the movie. The original Broadway Recording is the best source. This would be the Decca release from 1951 and stars Robert Alda, Vivian Blaine, Sam Levene, Isabel Bigley and Pat Rooney, Sr.. While it does not have all of the incidental music it does have the main songs and they are presented in the proper manner. My second suggestion would be the 1996 recording produced by Jay Productions and includes the complete music. This recording consists of two cd’s and has all of the music as well as some previously unreleased music. It stars Emily Loesser, Gregg Edelman, Kim Criswell, Tim Flavin and Don Stephenson. The revival with Peter Gallagher, Nathan Lane and Faith Prince is also pretty close to the original.
While these sources will help you to understand the style of the musical you should not try to be an imitation of any of these personalities. I will be looking for someone who can bring his or her own charm and personality to the performance. The vocal demands will remain the same, and physical types will be important. Sky is a leading man, Nathan is a comic, Sarah is the leading lady and Adelaide is a comic and a strong personality. As in all casting I will be casting in an age appropriate manner. The gangsters can be all shapes and all ages. The Hot Box Girls (the showgirls) should all be in good physical shape as they will be dressed like showgirls in a nightclub revue. The members of the Salvation Army should be able to play an instrument and will have to fit into the rented uniforms. They are both men and women.