Guys & Dolls still rocks your boat in this harbourside spectacular

After 75 years showstopper musical Guys & Dolls may be dated, but its energy and exuberance still make it a certain hit.

Joel Granger as Benny Southstreet in the Handa Opera production of Guys & Dolls. Photo: Neil Bennett.

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Exuberant dance routines, a string of familiar showstoppers and an immensely likeable cast make this revival a certain hit, all set against the magnificent backdrop of Sydney Harbour.

Not bad for a 75-year-old musical. Even the dated attitudes attributed to the women in the cast somehow fade into the ether with the sheer energy of the production and the quality of the singing.

Based on some short stories by Damon Runyon, Guys & Dolls premiered on Broadway on November 24, 1950, where it ran for 200 performances and won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

The show centres on two couples: a compulsive gambler and a tambourine-thumping missionary as well as a showgirl eager to tie the knot after 14 years with a shifty dice game organiser.

Comedy and dance play a big part in this show. The score is packed with evergreen hits like Luck Be a Lady, Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat, A Bushel and a Peck, The Oldest Established Crap Game in New York, If I Were a Bell, Adelaide’s Lament and I’ve Never Been in Love Before.

Angelina Thomson as the morally elastic Miss Adelaide. Photo: Carlita Sari.

For me, the pick of the songs was Marry the Man Today (so you can change him tomorrow), a touching duet between unlikely allies, the not-so-uptight missionary Sarah and the more morally elastic Miss Adelaide.

Both performers sang with touching conviction. Angelina Thomson’s Miss Adelaide stood out for plain natural warmth and humanity, coupled with considerable dancing talent.

If the singing was outstanding on opening night, and it was, the stunning choreography almost outshone it, Kelley Abbey blending period styles, high energy and simple spectacle.

It was also great to see the orchestra freed from its usual under-stage cave and elevated to become just visible screened behind the huge illuminated One Way sign.

Also noteworthy was Jason Arrow who as Nicely-Nicely gave a spirited rendering of Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.

Jennifer Irwin’s period-inspired costumes were a colourful delight.

There are welcome dashes of humour and the cast looked as if they were enjoying themselves – always a good sign.

Grand stuff, well executed and an absolute joy to watch.

DETAILS

• SHOW Guys & Dolls

• STARS Cody Simpson, Annie Aitken, Bobby Fox, Angelina Thomson, Jason Arrow

• AT Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie Point

• UNTIL April 20

• BOOKINGS 9318 8200 or [e-mail]