It was a chilly Thursday night on November 29 around dinner time. Contrasting with the weather, the University Center seemed alive with all the people chatting about old times and when they first saw Guys and Dolls in 1951 (this writer would estimate that the audience was composed of around 85% elderly folk, 5% their grandkids, with the remaining 10% being students). After dinner, some hot chocolate and pleasant conversations, people headed over to Philip Chosky Theater to see the Drama Department's showing of Guys and Dolls. 

Guys and Dolls is a musical based on a short story by Damon Runyon adapted by Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, and Jo Swerling.  The story is set in the 50's in New York City, post-prohibition era with jazzy music orchestrated down in the front and bright neon signs in the background.  Gambler Nathan Detroit (played by CFA Senior Ben Goldberg), who has been engaged to Miss Adelaide (played by CFA Senior Emily Rossell) for fourteen years, tries to win a thousand dollars by betting with Sky Masterson (played by CFA Senior Robert Lenzi) to ask Miss Sarah Brown (played by CFA Senior Jessica Waxman), the pretty evangelical girl, out to Havana, Cuba.  Nathan claims that Sarah is "not the doll type to go to Havana", while others say that it's hard to tell since she "ain't a horse, she's a doll."  The lives of the characters revolve around each other as the story develops. 

Guys and Dolls explores the clumsy interaction and the mutual longings between guys and girls.  It also satirizes both the sinful pleasure-seeking nature of the society and the stoic religious missionaries with an emphasis on catchy songs and a lot of drama and comedy. 

Overall, the production paid a lot of attention to details, from the New York accent down to the seemingly simple and subconscious actions such as the flicking and twirling of a pencil.  The seats nearly sold out, and the audience response was great. As they exited the door into the chilly night air, most people were still whistling and humming.  Guys and Dolls is showing from November 29 through December 8, 2007.  To purchase tickets, please visit the Guys and Dolls homepage.

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