Last week, Neenah High School performed the musical “Guys & Dolls” from Oct. 16-Oct. 20 at the Neenah High School Performing Arts Center. To summarize, “Guys & Dolls” follows the life of gamblers, showgirls, and a mission worker living in New York in the 1950s. With catchy songs and witty dialogue, it explores themes of love, luck, and redemption.
The cast delivered a mesmerizing performance, each actor embodying their characters with depth and charisma. Every character, especially the leads, Sky Masterson (Marcus Gallatin) and Sarah Brown (Aria Giddings), made me emotional with vocal talent. Their voices were particularly noteworthy, with powerful renditions of the classic songs such as “Luck Be a Lady” and “My Time of Day” that captivated the audience and brought the story to life.
Being in orchestra myself, I especially enjoyed listening to the tunes coming from the pit orchestra. The actors and the pit were very coordinated and well prepared. Their musicianship was impeccable, with seamless transitions between numbers and a vibrant sound that filled the auditorium.
Not to mention the incredible choreography. I was hypnotized by the movements of the actors because all of them were in sync with each other. Not only is that impressive, it shows how prepared the actors were. One of many memorable scenes I enjoyed was “Havana” because there were 3 pairs of dancers that were all synchronized even though they were doing difficult dance moves.
In addition, the attention to detail in the props was amazing. One of my favorite props that was used was the breaking glass. Not only did it add a dramatic flair, it was memorable and comical. This element was executed flawlessly, capturing the audience’s attention while contributing to the overall aesthetic of the production. The physicality of the cast was equally impressive; a standout moment was when a character, “Crapshooter” (acted by Lawton Pester), added his own twist and landed an astonishing back flip, which not only showcased his agility but also added an exciting layer to the performance.
Not only that, the background and set design were thoughtfully crafted, drawing the audience to admire the world of “Guys & Dolls.” The crew’s work in creating a vibrant and dynamic environment was evident, with each element thoughtfully placed to enhance the storytelling. Furthermore, the costume design was nothing short of amazing, with each outfit reflecting the characters’ personalities and the time period beautifully. The colors and overall styling contributed significantly to the visual appeal of the performance.
Overall, the experience of seeing “Guys & Dolls” being performed by my schoolmates was unforgettable. I enjoyed every aspect of the musical from the exceptional performance and vocals of the actors to the set design done by the crew. I have no complaints about the performance because it truly felt as if the musical was acted by professionals, not high school students.
