‘Guys and Dolls’ lights up St. John Theatre stage

Published 11:45 pm Friday, April 4, 2014

By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

RESERVE – The St. Charles Catholic High School Stagehands treated students from area elementary and middle schools to a little song and dance Wednesday morning during a special performance of “Guys and Dolls,” the group’s spring production.

Although a few of the jokes might have gone over the younger audience members’ heads, the bright sets and costumes and lively numbers kept the children entertained throughout the full-length show.

The classic musical, set in New York in the 1930s, features some familiar tunes, such as “Luck Be a Lady,” and is at its heart a timeless tale of mismatched lovers. The final performance will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Theatre.

Director Greer Millet said she was inspired to take on the production when she realized she had an abundance of male singers to work with. Often, high school drama directors find themselves with an abundance of “dolls” and a dearth of “guys.” Still, there were challenges to be met.

“Most of the cast members had never sung or danced before, but they put their trust in me,” she said. “I saw their potential even though some of them did not.”

She added, “I hope each one realizes how far he has come and what he has accomplished because I know how blessed I am to have worked with each of them to realize his potential.”