By Harold Reutter
harold.reutter@theindependent.com

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Independent/Scott Kingsley Nathan LaBrie (Nathan Detroit) and Maria Lesiak (Adelaide) argue during a scene in "Guys and Dolls," Central Catholic's spring musical. Independent/Scott Kingsley Nathan LaBrie (Nthan Detroit) and Joey Starkey (Joey Biltmore) rehearse a scene for Central Catholi's production of "Guys and Dolls." Independent/Scott Kingsley Maria Lesiak (Adelaide) sings a solo during rehearsal for Central Catholic's production of "Guys and Dolls." Click Thumbnails to View

That's how drama director Amy Krance described the decision to bring the musical "Guys and Dolls" to the Central Catholic stage and how that decision has worked out.

"We chose 'Guys and Dolls' because we had so many strong guys," Krance said. "We wanted something to showcase them."

That meant not only acting and singing but also dancing.

Krance said Marie Lesiak, who plays Adelaide, also worked out the choreography for the show along with Laura Wirth.

"They have got this vision," Krance said.

The guys, to their credit, never balked at any of the dance moves that were proposed for the show, she said. "They never said, 'You want me to do what?'"

When it came to taking chances and stretching themselves, Krance said, "the guys raised the bar."

Of course, the show is not just guys. It is "Guys and Dolls."

"The girls do a fabulous job in all the scenes," Krance said.

On the music and drama scale, the guys and the gals are balanced. With a large cast on stage, "Guys and Dolls" involves a total of 50 art, drama, music and instrumental band students in various jobs from running lights to playing instruments.

Krance said she and music director Deb Scheel have both written in their director's notes that "we have had so much fun with this group."

"They still crack us up," Krance said.

The director noted that "Guys and Dolls" is a well-known musical comedy for many people. But she believes that GILT was the last local group to perform the musical, and that was a number of years ago.

Well-known numbers from "Guys and Doll" include "Luck Be a Lady Tonight," "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," "A Bushel and a Peck," "Guys and Dolls" and "Take Back Your Mink."

Lyrics and music are by Frank Loesser, while the book is by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling. The musical is based on a short story by Damon Runyon.

The musical follows the gambits of the guys as they look for a place to gamble. It also follows the "will they or won't they" romances between Nathan Detroit (played by Nathan LaBrie) and Adelaide (Lesiak), and between Sky Masterson (Tim Dvorak) and Miss Sarah Brown (Katie Harris).

"Guys and Dolls"

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 28; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30.

Where: Central Catholic, 1200 N. Ruby

Cost: Tickets cost $5 and are available at Skagway North, Skagway South, U Save Pharmacy North, U Save Pharmacy South, Ron's Music, the Central Catholic school office and at the performance door.