Frank Loesser s musical “Guys and Dolls, along with “Grease, is one of the most popular plays among college and high school students. Jaunty, energetic and hip, “Guys and Dolls have drawn millions of audiences around the world since 1950 when the play first debuted in Broadway, with its simple story about the never-ending battle of the sexes and the eccentric glimpses of a different, gentler New York.
The American University in Cairo is bringing the award-winning play to Egypt with a production that ranks among the finest commercial theatrical performances Egypt has seen this year so far.
Based on the short story “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown by Damon Runyon, “Guys and Dolls takes place in the world of New York s petty, harmless Italian gamblers in the 30s. Nathan Detroit (Kaveh Niazi), a down-on-his-luck “crap-shooting games organizer, is scouting for a place to hold a large gig after learning that a bunch of money-loaded high-rollers are in town looking to try their luck at one of the city s oldest and most notorious games.
With tight restrictions enforced by Lieutenant Brannigan, Detroit finds out that the only remaining unguarded spot is the Baltimore Hotel garage whose owner is demanding $1,000 for the night. The penniless Detroit, who s been engaged for 14 years to the smitten cabaret singer Miss Adelaide (Kate Greenberger), bumps into the ‘high-roller’ Sky Masterson (Ali Nasser) who s willing to virtually bet anyone anything.
Detroit comes up with a bet impossible to lose: he challenges Masterson to take Miss Sarah Brown (Amina Khalil), a conservative prudish sergeant at the Save-a-Soul mission, to a club in Havana, Cuba. Masterson agrees and starts to work his devious ways on the naive Brown before he unexpectedly starts to fall for her.
The success and popularity of “Guys and Dolls have lead to no less than five major revivals; the latest was a very successful London production starring Ewan McGregor, Jane Krakowski and Jenna Russell (who, strangely, bears a close physical resemblance to Khalil).
Most audiences though remember the play from the 1955 film adaptation directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (“All About Eve, “Cleopatra ) and starring Marlon Brando in the role of Masterson, Frank Sinatra as Detroit and the beautiful Jean Simmons playing Brown.
The AUC s version naturally doesn t measure up to the heights of either the film or the Broadway/London productions, yet it still manages to present a show that makes the best use of its talents and pumps it full of unforeseen freshness and charm.
Michael Earl, the set designer and technical director of the play, is the real unsung hero of the show. Earl has recreated a 30s New York neighborhood, a nightclub and a Havana pub with only a handful of props.
Jeanne Arnold s costumes are top-notch as well. Arnold captures the haute style of the era with her colorful, chic and smart outfits that perfectly match Earl s set and the overall cheerful vibe of the play.
It s not all perfect though. Tamer Fathy s choreography is mediocre and doesn t offer any striking dance routines. Part of Fathy s problems is the performers inability to execute these dance moves despite their obvious simplicity. The dancers struggle to dance in harmony with one another and, from a distance, the larger picture of the image they attempt to create looks fragmented, clumsy and dreary.
The majority of the cast are excellent. Niazi is terrific as the hapless Detroit who can t seem to get it right in any endeavor he turns his hands to. Niazi injects his character with a childlike purity that forces the audience to sympathize with his misfortune.
Nasser s performance as Masterson is a mixed bag though. The young actor seems to be on safe ground as long as he s adhering to Masterson’s conceited side. Nasser, who played the ultimate embodiment of male arrogance in the absurd play “Mr. Black Testicles, is unconvincing when his character begins to soften up. The sincerity and subsequent moral torment that made the character a joy to watch in previous shows are almost absent from Nasser s performance. In addition, he misses a few notes in his singing numbers and his voice sounds weak when juxtaposed with the sweet and tender voice of Khalil.
Another major problem with Nasser is the lack of chemistry between him and Khalil. Brown s innocence is exhibited with every gesture from Khalil, who adds a touch of discreet cheekiness and a deep yearn for finding true love. Nevertheless, she s a little short in the charisma department which gives the audience little reasons to believe that a guy like Masterson could actually be attracted to her.
Greenberger is the one who steals the entire show though. Her Adelaide is flamboyant, jolly and always entertaining. Her presence on stage is felt whenever she s off and her aura is so strong that, on many occasions, it upstages her co-stars.
Loesser s music remains the main attraction and songs like “I ll Know, “Luck Be a Lady Tonight and “Marry the Man Today are reasons why the play has endured the test of time.
Guys and Dolls is a carefree, extremely funny and amusing play with a simple story covered by a thin veil of ingenuousness and affection for its city and era. It doesn t carry any significant messages and it doesn t need to; it s a strong reminder of the glory days of Broadway that will leave one big smile on your face.
Guys and Dolls is playing today at the Falaki Mainstage Theatre at 8 pm and ends on May the 5th. Tickets are available at the Falaki street Box Office. For further information, please contact (02) 797 6372, (02) 797 6935.
