Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Rolls the Dice on Guys & Dolls and Comes Up a Winner!

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres officially ushers in a new era as the post Michael Brindisi years begin, with new Artistic Director Tamara Kangas Erickson making her Main Stage directing debut with Guys & Dolls. While the title itself isn’t exactly a boundary pushing choice, this production proves the theatre is in very good hands. It far exceeded my previous experiences with the show. I had an absolute blast, it features a terrific cast and truly exceptional dancing.

Erickson, who has choreographed more than 50 productions at CDT, shares choreography duties here with Linda Talcott Lee. I’ve often felt that in musicals, especially the ones pushing three hours, overtures and long instrumental transitions can drag. Not here. Erickson turns those moments into highlights. Scene changes become showcases for high-energy dance breaks, frequently led by the immensely talented Kyle Weiler. Under Erickson’s leadership, there’s little doubt that choreography at CDT will continue to be top tier.

Set in a stylized 1940s New York that looks like it stepped straight out of a Dick Tracy comic strip, Guys & Dolls follows Nathan Detroit, a lovable schemer who can organize the longest running floating crap game in the city but can’t manage to marry his long suffering fiancée of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide. Adelaide headlines at the Hot Box Club and has been telling her mother they’re already married, with five children.

Desperate for cash, Nathan bets slick gambler Sky Masterson that he can’t persuade straight laced missionary Sarah Brown to accompany him to Havana. Sky takes the bet, but what starts as a hustle turns into genuine romance. Beneath the gangsters and gambling, this is really a show about two love stories and how when it comes to matters of the heart all bets are off.

The four leads are outstanding. Sara Masterson brings a gorgeous voice and winning sincerity to Sarah Brown, and her Havana “drunken” sequence is beautifully played. Charlie Clark’s Nathan Detroit is funny, earnest, and completely endearing, a lovable gangster who clearly adores his doll. Madeline Trumble is comic and musical gold as Adelaide, delivering her big numbers with flair and impeccable timing.

The biggest revelation for me was Shad Hanley as Sky Masterson. I’ve enjoyed Hanley in previous roles, but this feels like a breakout moment. From the second he steps on stage, he owns it. Confident, charismatic, and yes, helped perhaps by that striking dye job, he’s effortlessly the coolest guy in the room.

And a sure sign of a strong cast is when you want to keep going after praising the leads. Matthew Hall is terrific as one of Nathan’s guys, and he absolutely brings the house down with “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” Cynthia Jones-Taylor is hilarious and commanding as General Cartwright, my only complaint is that we don’t get more of her. And it’s always a pleasure to see Stages of MN favorite Tod Petersen, as Sarah’s Grandfather, who brings warmth and tenderness to “More I Cannot Wish You,” a beautifully quiet moment in a show bursting with bold personalities.

Visually, this production pops. Rich Hamson’s costumes are wild, colorful, and unapologetically theatrical, bold suits in primary colors, plaids, and stripes that look torn from a comic strip page. Sky’s wardrobe, by contrast, is sleek and elegant. Adelaide’s nightclub ensembles are especially fun. Nayna Ramey’s set design makes dynamic use of the space, even revealing an area of the theatre I didn’t know could be used, which was a delightful surprise.

And, as always, the Chanhassen Orchestra under music director Andy Kust delivers a lush, full sound that supports the performers without overpowering them.

This Guys & Dolls is big, bold, joyful entertainment, and a confident first Main Stage outing for Tamara Kangas Erickson. Guys & Dolls runs through September 26 at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. For more information and to book your seats for a delicious dinner and show go to https://chanhassendt.com/guysanddolls/

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