Shakespeare Theatre Company Brings Guys and Dolls to Harman Hall

Washington DC theatergoers are in for a treat this holiday season as Shakespeare Theatre Company presents the beloved musical "Guys and Dolls" at Sidney Harman Hall from December 2 through January 4. This highly anticipated production combines Broadway star power with local talent under the direction of Washington National Opera's Francesca Zambello.

Guys and Dolls presented by Shakespeare Theatre Company

The production features an impressive roster of performers, headlined by Julie Benko in the role of Sarah Brown. Benko, who earned recognition as a New York Times 2022 Breakout Star in Theatre for her acclaimed performance in Broadway's "Funny Girl," brings her considerable talents to the role of the principled Salvation Army missionary. She most recently appeared in Barry Manilow's "Harmony."
Opposite Benko as the charming gambler Sky Masterson is Jacob Dickey, whose Broadway credits include "Old Friends" with Bernadette Peters, "Aladdin," and "Company." The role of the perpetually scheming Nathan Detroit goes to Rob Colletti, known for "Almost Famous" and his original portrayal of Dewey Finn in the "School of Rock" National Tour.

Rounding out the principal cast is Hayley Podschun as the long-suffering Adelaide, Nathan's on-and-off girlfriend. Podschun brings extensive Broadway experience from shows including "Wicked" (where she played Glinda on the National Tour), "Hello, Dolly!," and "Something Rotten!" DC audiences may remember her Helen Hayes-nominated performance in "Catch Me If You Can" at Arena Stage.

Shakespeare Theatre Company has also assembled a strong contingent of Washington-area performers familiar to STC audiences. Holly Twyford, seen in recent STC productions of "Our Town" and "Old Times," takes on the role of General Matilda B. Cartwright. Todd Scofield, another STC veteran from "King Lear" and "Our Town," appears as Lt. Brannigan.

Lawrence Redmond, who has graced the STC stage in "Our Town" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," plays Arvide Abernathy, while Ahmad Kamal brings his experience from "Babbitt," "Everybody," and "Richard III" to the role of Big Jule. Calvin McCullough ("Peter Pan and Wendy") and Katherine Riddle ("Matchbox Magic Flute," "Secret Garden") round out the local contingent as Benny Southstreet and Agatha, respectively.
The production also features several other DC-area performers, including Graciela Rey from Signature Theatre, Folger Theatre, and GALA Hispanic; Chivas Merchant-Buckman from Washington National Opera; and John Sygar, whose local credits include Olney Theatre, Round House, and Arena Stage.

The production is helmed by Francesca Zambello, Artistic Director of Washington National Opera, whose previous work includes acclaimed productions of "Porgy and Bess," "Turandot," and "West Side Story." Choreography is by Joshua Bergasse, known for his work on the television series "Smash" and the musical "Bull Durham."

Set in the colorful world of 1950s New York, "Guys and Dolls" tells the intertwining stories of small-time gambler Nathan Detroit, who desperately needs money to keep his floating crap game running, and high-roller Sky Masterson, who accepts a seemingly impossible bet to win a date with the devout missionary Sarah Brown.

The musical features some of the most beloved songs in American theater, including the show-stopping "Luck Be a Lady Tonight," the rousing "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," and the charming "A Bushel and a Peck." These classic Frank Loesser compositions, combined with the witty book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, have made "Guys and Dolls" a perennial favorite since its Broadway debut in 1950.
Supporting the leads are Kyle Taylor Parker as Nicely-Nicely Johnson (known for "Kinky Boots" on Broadway and tour), Elliott Mattox as Harry the Horse (Broadway's "Tammy Faye" and "Beetlejuice"), Tommy Gedrich as Rusty Charlie ("Pirates! The Penzance Musical"), and Lamont Brown as Joey Biltmore ("Funny Girl" and "Mean Girls" National Tours).

The cast also includes several performers making their STC debuts: Nick Alvino, Brandon Block, Landry Champlin, Brendon Chan, Aria Christina Evans, Caroline Kane, Drew Minard, Jessie Peltier, Jimena Flores Sanchez, and Jack Sippel.

With its blend of romance, comedy, and unforgettable music, "Guys and Dolls" promises to be the perfect holiday entertainment for Washington audiences. The production combines the intimacy and excellence that Shakespeare Theatre Company is known for with the spectacle and energy that this classic musical demands.

"Guys and Dolls" runs at Sidney Harman Hall from December 2 through January 4.