Mounting an American Masterpiece: Guys and Dolls, the Fabulous Fable of Broadway

Guys and Dolls, in the words of our director Steven Beckler, is an “irresistible explosion of energy!” The Ogunquit Playhouse, in recreating the multi-award winning 1992 revival of this American Masterpiece, will be presenting one of the most dynamic productions ever put on a stage. The synergy between the characters, combined with the Tony® Award Winning sets designed by Tony Walton and the amazing Technicolor costumes designed by multiple Tony® Award winner, William Ivey Long, makes the Ogunquit production sizzle and brings back to life the magic that was so apparent and beloved in the Broadway Revival of ’92.

Frank Loesser’s musical comedy, Guys and Dolls, is universally recognized as one of the greatest of all Broadway musicals. Guys and Dolls came to fruition due to the fusing of Broadway composer Frank Loesser and the writing team of Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows with the stories and characters created by Damon Runyon, the renowned American short-story writer and columnist. Their adaptation for Guys and Dolls was drafted from a variety of his stories, but leaned heavily on the "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown." It brought Damon Runyon's legendary world of Times Square hoodlums to endearing life and turned it into a Broadway legend.

The musical revolves around a motley crew of “eccentrics, do-gooders, gamblers, night-club entertainers and various categories of jerks,” all based on Runyon’s colorful characters. The story depicts an unlikely romance between chronic gambler, Sky Masterson and Salvation Army-type missionary girl, Sarah Brown, headquartered in Times Square. Sky, who can't refuse a wager of any kind, is bet by another gambler, Nathan Detroit, that he can't romance the straitlaced missionary. Meanwhile, Nathan is trying to set up a floating crap game while avoiding the wrath of his fiancée, a brassy chorus girl named Miss Adelaide, who is desperate to marry Nathan after a 14-year engagement.

Romance, however, is not always center-stage in Guys and Dolls; the lavish depiction of New York City life, the insight into the eccentric impulses and motivations of the dynamic characters often dominate the show. And, at the core is Frank Loesser’s gorgeous music. Loesser found Runyon’s characters ideal for his informal lyrical style, suiting each song to the character who performs it; the songs are as important as the book in depicting character and propelling plot.

This fabulous fable of Broadway opened at the 46th Street Theatre in 1950, starring Robert Alda, Isabell Bigley and Vivian Blaine and became an instant classic, winning all major awards at the 1951 Tony® ceremony. Its many successes included running 1,200 performances (the 5th longest running show on Broadway during the 1950s – the golden era for American musicals) and enjoying numerous successful revivals) all over the world, including three on Broadway (most notably the 1992 revival).

The Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to recreate this timeless classic and proud to have been awarded the American Masterpiece Grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts for the re-staging of Guys and Dolls. The Ogunquit Playhouse has a superlative heritage that includes productions of some of the most spectacular American Masterpieces on its stage since its humble beginnings 77 years ago. For this production, Executive Artistic Director, Bradford Kenney, went directly to the Tony® Award winning director of the 1992 production, Jerry Zaks, for assistance in hiring key staff for the Ogunquit production. As a result, Steven Beckler, who has been the production supervisor since the original production with Jerry Zaks, was chosen to direct and supervise Guys and Dolls for the Ogunquit stage. Over 1000 actors and actresses auditioned in New York and locally in hope of securing a part. The actors for this show, like all shows at the Ogunquit Playhouse are selected exclusively for their individual roles to ensure the best person is selected for each specific character. This production will headline stage and television veteran Richard Kind, the Tony® Award winning star of Jersey Boys, Christian Hoff, Broadway’s Liz Larsen and Glory Crampton. These world-class performers will carry on Ogunquit’s long tradition of excellence and ensure an “irresistible explosion of energy!”

RICHARD KIND (Nathan Detroit) Broadway: The Producers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sly Fox, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife. Candide (New York City Opera): Bounce (Goodman Theatre, Kennedy Center); The Lady in Question, Rough Crossing (Bay Street Theatre); Once in a Lifetime (Guthrie Theatre); The Front Page, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Big Knife (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Accomplice (Ogunquit Playhouse); Power Failure (Actors Studio Free Theatre Co.); The Seagull (Matrix Theatre); Perfect (Tiffany Theatre); Gravity Shoes (Hudson Theatre); The Second City (Chicago, N.Y., L.A.); Working, All in the Timing, Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight, Synergy (L.A. TheatreWorks). Film: “The Grand,” “The Visitor,” “The Station Agent,” “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Cars,” “Johns,” “Stargate,” “Clifford,” “Mr. Saturday Night,” and “Hacks.” Television: “Spin City,” “Mad About You,” “Carol Burnett & Company,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Richard will be seen in the upcoming Coen Brothers movie, “A Serious Man.”

CHRISTIAN HOFF (Sky Masterson) won a Tony Award for his performance as Tommy DeVito in Broadway’s Jersey Boys as well as Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. He was named “The Master of Mimicry” by Entertainment Weekly when his voicing of over 200 characters surpassed the world record for the audio book "Tell Me How You Love The Picture." He has recently voiced "Don’t Look Twice" by New York Times and international best-selling author Andrew Gross and numerous television and radio campaigns including American Express and Bank of America. Most recently, he can be seen as DA Richard Blackman on ABC’s “Ugly Betty” as well as federal prosecutor Thomas Grady on NBC’s “Law and Order; Criminal Intent.” Christian has recorded Grammy winning Original Cast albums for The Who’s Tommy and Jersey Boys, performed for "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve," at Radio City Music Hall, repeat solo turns at Carnegie Hall and has sung the national anthem at major sports venues including Yankee Stadium. Personal television appearances include “Celebrity Jeopardy,” “Live: Regis and Kelly,” “The Today Show,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Other theatrical credits include George M! (George M. Cohan), The Will Rogers Follies (Will Rogers), Big River (Huck), The Rocky Horror Show (Frank-n-Furter), Jesus Christ Superstar (King Herod) and made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning The Who’s Tommy. Screen credits include “Encino Man,” “Star Trek IV,” “Honor Thy Mother,” “In Love and War,” “ER,” “JAG,” “Party of Five,” “Millennium,” “The Commish," "Beverly Hills 90210" and “All My Children." He is currently recording and touring in concert throughout the US and will be co-starring in the upcoming revival of Parade at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Christian is also the national spokesperson for the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation and proud husband and father of four.

LIZ LARSEN (Miss Adelaide) Broadway: Hairspray, Rocky Horror Show, The Smell Of The Kill, The Most Happy Fella (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Nominations, LA Dramalogue Award - Best Featured Actress) Damn Yankees, A Little Night Music, (NYC Opera) Starmites, Fiddler On The Roof, Blues In The Night, Annie, Dubarry Was A Lady (Encores, City Center) Currently: Sessions. Other NYC Shows: Such Good Friends (NYMF - Outstanding Performance Award), A New Brain (Lincoln Center) Bingo, Him And Her (Fringe Excellence Award- Performance), New Yorkers And Loman Family Picnic (MTC) Personals, Company, Little By Little. Road: Sunday In The Park With George (Helen Hayes Award – Lead Actress), Baby (Helen Hayes Award Nomination, Featured Actress) Falsettos, Guys And Dolls, The Value Of Names (With Jack Klugman) Annie Get Your Gun, Evita, Joseph.... Dreamcoat. TV: Pilot 2009: “Exit 19” (CBS). Series Regular: “My Guys.” Recurring Roles On: “Law And Order," Special Victims Unit,” “Third Watch.” Guest Star: “Sopranos,” “Sex And The City,” “Criminal Intent,” “Conviction,” “Deadline,” “The Street,” “Exiled” (M.O.W.). Films: “The Saint Of Fort Washington,” “Keeping The Faith,” “Dr. Jekyll And Ms. Hyde,” “New York Crossing.” Liz’s favorite productions are her kids Alessandro (12) and Joey (9).

GLORY CRAMPTON (Sarah Brown) Recent credits: Hello, Dolly! (Irene) with Leslie Uggams (Jerry Herman/Lee Roy Reams/Houston TUTS) and “Songbook Series,” Lincoln Center. Glory recently completed recording her solo CD singing Broadway favorites with The London National Symphony/Abbey Road- England (released Fall of 2009). Other credits: Soloist to The Three Tenors’ Jose Carreras (Radio City Music Hall/Orchestra of St. Lukes) and Guest Soloist (United Nations). Also in NYC, Mame with Charles Busch and Swooize Kurtz (Pageen). Nine Leading Ladies at Paper Mill Playhouse, including My Fair Lady (also opposite Charles Shaughnessy), Camelot, Carousel, Jane Eyre, Jekyll and Hyde, among others. She created the role of Christine in the world premiere of the Kopit/Yeston Phantom (original cast recording RCA Victor), Luisa in The Fantasticks (Robert Goulet/National tour and NYC) and is featured on numerous recordings.

JIM BECKER (Hot Box MC, Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Ogunquit debut! Proud AEA member. Credits: All Shook Up (CDT); Big River and Barry Mannilow’s Copacabana (National Tours); Disney Cruise Line; New York City Opera; Disney World; Carousel (off-Broadway); and singing back-up for Reba McIntire. Film/TV: Every Little Step; Sex and the City; MTV’s TRL; Sweet Home Alabama. For Bob, Sue, Nick, & Geidy (who took my shift so I could audition for Guys and Dolls).

KELLEY BRADSHAW (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of the cast of Guys and Dolls! A native of Albany, Georgia, Kelley holds a BS in Biology from Georgia Southern University. In 2006, she was named Miss National Sweetheart and was a two-time 1st Runner Up, Talent, and Overall Swimsuit Winner in the Miss Georgia America Pageant. Television: The Late Show with David Letterman (Featured Dancer). Professional Theatre: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Rockette), 42nd Street (Anytime Annie). Regional Theatre: Smokey Joe’s Cafe (DeLee Lively), The Will Roger’s Follies (Ziegfield Girl), Annie (Maid), The King and I (Eva). Many thanks to my immensely supportive family!

LINDA CAMERON (General Cartwright) National Tours: Man Of La Mancha and Rumors. Off Broadway: Dr. Sex, We’re Still Hot, Eat The Runt, and Triangles. Regional: Hair – Actors Theatre of Louisville; Rumors; Don’t Dress For Dinner – Paper Mill Playhouse; Animal Fair – Denver Center Theatre; 1940’s Radio Hour – Charlotte Repertory Theatre Stock: Da (Mother); Butterflies Are Free (Mrs. Baker); The King And I (Anna); Private Lives (Amanda); Kiss Me Kate (Lilli); Brigadoon (Fiona). Proud member of Actors' Equity.

ANDREW ECKERT (Ensemble) recent Wagner College graduate (BA in Musical Theatre Performance/minor in Dance) and is thrilled to be performing at the Ogunquit Playhouse! Wagner highlights include On The Town (Gabey), West Side Story (Action), Oklahoma! (Will Parker), Footloose (Ren) and Hair. He most recently performed at the Gretna Theatre in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (Daniel). Other regional: Chicago (Fred Casely), Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka), and The Producers (Bryan/Jason Green). Next, Andrew will be performing in 42nd Street, under the direction of Randy Skinner at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.

BUDDY FLOWERS (Ensemble) earned his BFA from the University of Akron, some of his favorite credits: Tango Dancer in the North American Tour of Evita, Regional: Cats (Mistoffelees), La Cage Aux Folles, A Chorus Line, and Swing! Buddy enjoyed performing around the globe on Holland America Cruise Lines, and has been a guest artist with the Ohio Ballet. Thanks to Lana, Andy, Tom and Mona.

JOE GATELY (Lt. Brannigan, Joey Biltmore) is thrilled to be making his debut performance at The Ogunquit Playhouse. His credits include: NYC Theater: The Disappeared (Prospect Theater Co.), Hiroshima, Crucible of Light (UTC61), Rasputin in New York, The Heroines of Central Ohio (Love Creek) and Sunset Salome (Mesopotamian Opera); Regional Theater: The Rainmaker (American Heartland Theater/Kansas City), Bells are Ringing (Golden Apple/Sarasota); Films: “Fair Game,” “The Manchurian Candidate,” “The Return of Capt. Intuitive,” “City Hall” and others; Television: “All My Children,” “As the World Turns,” “Spin City,” “Late Night with David Letterman,” and others; plus numerous commercials and industrials. Joe is honored to have been a student and friend of the late Charles Nelson Reilly.

BRITTNEY GRIFFIN (Ensemble) received her BFA in Dance from the University at Buffalo. Tours include: 42nd Street (Anytime Annie) and Hairspray. Regional: Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Brenda). She would like to thank her Mom, Dad, family, and Jaesyn for their love and support.

BLAKE HAMMOND (Nicely Nicely Johnson) Broadway: Billy Elliot (Braithwaite), Hairspray (Edna), The Lion King (Pumbaa), The Music Man (Quartet), Kiss Me Kate (Phillip), On the Town (Uperman/MC). Off Broadway: 6. National Tours: 4. Recently: World Premiere of Minskys (Ahmansson Theatre) Film/TV include: “Mafia,” “Rookie of the Year,” “Desperation Blvd.,” “Frasier,” “Ed,” and the upcoming films “Handsome Harry” and “An Englishmen in New York.” Awards: LA Drama Critics, Florida’s Carbonell and Chicago’s After Dark. Blake happily makes his Ogunquit Playhouse debut.

MATT JONES (Harry the Horse) Previously at the Playhouse: Cabaret (Max), La Cage Aux Folles (Francis), Fiddler On The Roof (Rabbi). Regional: Damn Yankees (Rocky), Beauty and The Beast (LeFou), Seussical (Mr. Mayor), Annie (Rooster), all at Foothills Theatre, Titanic (Harold Bride) - Bucks County Playhouse, Olympus On My Mind (Tom) - Barksdale Theatre. National Tours - A Christmas Carol (Young Scrooge), Sesame Street Live (Bert), My Little Pony Live (Swing). Thanks to Robert and Brad. This one’s for Dennis.

JOHN LITTLE (Arvide) played Scrooge last year in A Christmas Carol at Portland Stage, where he also appeared in Noises Off and The Woman in Black. At the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey he was in Amadeus, The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Play’s the Thing. Regional work includes A Woman of No Importance at Yale Rep, Glimmerglass at Goodspeed and Ragtime at Foothills Theatre. John lives in New York with his wife, Amy, and children, Eleonora and Joel.

PETER MILLS (Ensemble) Ogunquit debut! Regional: Pirates! (Huntington Theatre Co.), Bye Bye Birdie (NSMT), Singin’ in the Rain, and Beauty and The Beast. Peter will be a senior this upcoming fall at the Boston Conservatory, where he is pursuing a B.F.A in Musical Theater. Boston Conservatory: Showboat (Frank), Follies, Chess (Father), West Side Story, Iolanthe, Carousel and Floyd Collins (Ed Bishop). Love and gratitude to Mom, Dad, and all my wonderful friends and teachers!

SAL MISTRETTA (Big Jule) A veteran of many Broadway, Off Broadway and Tour productions. Cabaret, Sunset Blvd, On The 20th Century, Evita, Sweeney Todd, Something’s Afoot, and Aida among them. He received a Helen Hayes Award for The Fix and a Nomination for his performance in CATS. He is Pirelli on the Sweeney Todd DVD with Angela Lansbury and is featured on many Law & Orders, Rescue Me, All My Children, The Unusuals, Third Watch, Jimmy Fallon the film Stepmom and in production; Step Up 3-D. Roles: Caroline or Change (Mr. Stopnick), Candide (Pangloss), Oliver (Fagin), La Cage (ZaZa), Oklahoma! (Pop Carnes) , Evita (Peron, Magaldi), Cabaret (Herr Schultz), Fantasticks (Henry), CATS (Gus), Guys and Dolls (Nathan), and many, many more! This is his first visit to Maine and his debut at the Ogunquit Playhouse. www.salmistretta.com

JUSTIN P. NARDECCHIA (Ensemble) is thrilled to make his Ogunquit debut in Guys and Dolls. Hailing from Detroit Michigan, he currently lives and works in New York City. Some of his favorite roles include: A Chorus Line (Paul) Oklahoma! (Ali Hakim), and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Linus). Justin can also be seen in the new Jackie Mason feature film, One Angry Man. Lots of love to the family and friends!

CHRISTOPHER NOFFKE (Calvin, Ensemble) hails from NYC where he teaches Musical Theatre Dance at STEPS on Broadway, and Jazz at Joffrey Ballet School. Recent Credits include The Producers - Carmen Ghia (Palace Theatre), How To Succeed... - Johnson (White Plains), Hello, Dolly! - Waiter (Paper Mill Playhouse), Nunsense A-men - Sister Robert Anne (Palace Theatre), National Tour of SWING!, he served as Director/Choreographer at SDM Theatre Camp, and as resident choreographer for Naples Dinner Theatre. He writes and choreographs shows for HS Competitive Show Choir, is part of Kicker and Turner comedy duo in NYC, and choreographs all over NYC and the Midwest.

JAMES PATTERSON (Benny Southstreet) is happy to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse where he was in past productions of Forum (Hero) and La Cage (Jean-Michelle). James was in the Broadway and touring companies of Beauty and The Beast and State Fair, and in the national tours of The Drowsy Chaperone, and Cats. Favorite regional credits include, Bye Bye Birdie (Albert Peterson) at Northshore Music Theater, and 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor) at the Fulton Opera. He is a graduate of Tufts University and NEC.

AFTON QUAST (Martha, Ensemble) This is Afton’s first production with the Ogunquit Playhouse. Previous productions include: Utah Shakespearean Festival Anthony and Cleopatra (Iras), H.M.S. Pinafore (Sir Joseph’s Relative), Macbeth (Third Witch), The Spitfire Grill (Shelby). Favorite Southern California productions include: A Chorus Line (Val), Amadeus (Constanze Weber), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), The Rocky Horry Show (Janet), Sideshow (Daisy Hilton) and Hair (Sheila). Special thanks to Mark for all his help, Jimmy for sticking around and family for all their support!

MAHRI RELIN (Mimi, Ensemble) recently performed in Japan where she worked on the pre-Broadway premiere of Trip of Love, a ‘60s dance and music review. Favorite national/international tours across Japan, China, Lebanon, Italy and the US include West Side Story (Anita, Rosalia), Doctor Dolittle (Mildred the Cow), Swing!, Guys and Dolls (Havana Tango), and Scrooge: The Musical (Belle). Mahri has worked with Mark Esposito in Russia and Pittsburgh, in two productions of West Side Story, and is thrilled to assist him once again in this fantastic show.

KERRY SCHNEIDER (Agatha) There are no small parts! Delighted to be back in Ogunquit, Kerry is also reprising her role of Ms. Darbus in High School Musical. Regional credits: Ogunquit - Fiddler on the Roof (with Sally Struthers); Palace Theatre, NH - The Full Monty (Jeannette), Gypsy (Mama Rose); Armory Theater, WI - Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider); Paper Mill Theatre, NH - Beauty and The Beast (Mrs. Potts); The Actorsingers, NH - Ragtime (Emma Goldman); and over 15 years of zany dinner theater comedy with Stage One Productions in Manchester, NH. Love to new grandchild, Hannah, children Brian, Beth, Lauren and Matt, and kisses to my biggest fan - hubby Dennis, “the light of my life.”

LEIGH WAKEFORD (Ensemble) was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and ventured to the US in 2005. This will be his first summer spent on the sandy beaches of Ogunquit and he couldn’t be more thrilled. National Tours: The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert Martin), Chicago (Swing). Regional: Footloose (Willard), Cats (Alonzo), Dames at Sea (Dick), Crazy for You (Bobby). Love and thanks to my family and friends across the Universe. For “my lief”, Cailan.

SHAWNA WALKER (Ensemble) attended Point Park University and graduated in 2004 with a BFA in dance. She has worked with choreographers such as Robert Battle, Sam Watson, Margo Sappington and Daniel Ezralow. Since graduation, she has performed at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA and with Stiletto Entertainment on three Holland America cruise ships. She is extremely happy to be a part of Guys and Dolls. She would like to send her love to Michael and her family for their support.

KENT ZIMMERMAN (Rusty Charlie, Ensemble) is very happy to be back near the Marginal Way after falling in love with this area last season during The Producers. Broadway: 2. National: 4. Regional: 25. West End: 2. Film: 2. TV: 2. Commercial: 1. Miles across county: 100168. Blessings and gratitude: endless. Psalm 91:11.

Musical Masterpiece Guys and Dolls Opens at the Ogunquit Playhouse

For Immediate Release:

July 11, 2009

Gangsters and gamblers, missionary dolls and showgirls are in town and on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse, July 15th through August 8th. Yes, it’s Guys and Dolls – Broadway’s perfect musical comedy about gambling men and the women who long to tame them! This musical masterpiece, based on the stories of Damon Runyon, stars television veteran Richard Kind (“Spin City” and “Mad About You”) as Master Gambler Nathan Detroit; Tony Award winning star of Jersey Boys Christian Hoff as fellow gambler Sky Masterson; Broadway’s Liz Larsen as Miss Adelaide, the pride of the hot-cha Hot Box Club; and Glory Crampton as Sister Sarah Brown, the sweetest mission doll this side of Eighth Avenue.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to recreate the 1992 Broadway revival helmed by Steven Beckler (who worked under Jerry Zaks on Broadway and national tours). The Ogunquit production will include Tony Walton’s Tony® Award winning sets and William Ivey Long’s fantastic Technicolor costumes! Guys and Dolls is the winner of eight Tony® Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the 1992 Tony® for Best Revival and a Grammy® for Best Cast Album. Set against the picturesque backdrop of New York’s Broadway, Guys and Dolls features one of the greatest musical scores in the history of American theatre, with hits that include: “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Take Back Your Mink” and “Luck, Be a Lady.” This musical masterpiece is not to be missed!

The blockbuster-feel-good season continues at the Ogunquit Playhouse – where you’ll find the best of Broadway right in your own backyard from Memorial Day to Columbus Day Weekends! Forget your troubles come on get happy with Singin’ in the Rain – live and raining on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage! It is based on the joyous MGM film touted by many as the best musical ever written, August 12th through September 12th. The season comes to a close when Elvis Presley’s hits roar to life on the Playhouse stage in the new Broadway musical All Shook Up starring Sally Struthers is guaranteed to knock your socks off! The Playhouse remains unparalleled in its commitment to provide the highest quality musical theatre, comparable to the best Broadway has to offer - all the glitz, all the glory, all the glam’ for less than half the New York price! Don’t miss your opportunity to see every spectacular show this season!

The Ogunquit Playhouse is America’s Foremost Summer Theatre producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from Memorial Day to Columbus Day Weekends. Main Stage ticket prices range from $41-$60 per show. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website at www.OgunquitPlayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or through the box office at 207-646-5511.

Amidst the hurly-burly of Broadway (Runyonland; Fugue for Tinhorns), Sarah Brown and her gallant band from the Save-a-Soul Mission endeavour to recruit sinners (Follow the Fold). Nathan Detroit and the gambling fraternity are more concerned with finding a place for their illegal floating crap game (The Oldest Established) and Adelaide, Nathan’s long-time fiancée, is preoccupied with trying to get him to the altar.

Sky Masterson saunters into town and gets suckered into a bet with Nathan that he can take any doll he likes to Havana. Nathan names Sarah Brown, and, undaunted, Sky presents himself at the Mission as a sinner. When this doesn’t work, he guarantees her a dozen sinners in return for having dinner with him – in Havana. Sarah’s response is he’s not her type of guy (I’ll know).

At the Hot Box night club where Adelaide stars (A Bushel and a Peck), Nathan promises her he will reform (Adelaide’s Lament). Meanwhile, his side-kicks Benny and Nicely-Nicely Johnson complain she’s taking his mind off his work (Guys and Dolls).

The arrival of General Cartwright, intent on closing the Mission through lack of support, galvanises Sarah into accepting Sky’s invitation. Nathan, still hoping to win his bet and the thousand bucks he needs to set up the game, is having trouble with the gambling fraternity – Big Jule, Harry the Horse and Rusty Charlie, to name but a few – who are getting increasingly restless. The appearance amongst them of Lt Brannigan spells trouble, but the day is saved when they tell him they’re celebrating Nathan and Adelaide’s elopement (Adelaide).

In Havana, Sarah becomes decidedly more friendly after drinking several of the local ‘milkshakes’ (Havana) and causes a riot at El Café Cubana when she objects to Sky dancing with another girl.

After he carries her out of the bar, she confesses to having had a wonderful evening and begins to confess her feelings for him (If I Were a Bell). He is shamed into telling her about the bet and takes her back to New York where they arrive just before dawn – sober and in love (My Time of Day / I’ve Never Been in Love Before). Their idyllic moment is soon shattered as Arvide, Sarah’s uncle, and the Mission Band return wearily from all-night canvassing, the sound of a police siren sends the gamblers scuttling out of the Mission, where Nathan had finally found a place for the game. Although Sky promises Sarah he knew nothing of the gamblers plan to use the mission, it just convinces Sarah they are too different to be together.

(Entr’acte) Adelaide entertains the Hot Box customers (Take Back Your Mink), still blissfully believing she is about to become Mrs Nathan Detroit (Adelaide’s Lament - reprise). Arvide consoles Sarah as the deadline for closing the Mission approaches and tries to put in a good word for Sky, who is still determined to honour his pledge (More I Cannot Wish You). He follows the gamblers, and the game (Crapshooters’ Dance), into the sewer and bets each of them a thousand dollars against their souls on the roll of the dice (Luck Be a Lady).

After watching a group of gamblers emerging from a sewer and scurrying off, Adelaide discovers Nathan is one of them, and has been running the craps game again. She is furious with him. She demands he elope with her immediately, but he can’t because he has given his marker that he will attend the prayer meeting at The Mission and he cannot welch on that. Nathan tells her than he loves her, but he has to go (Sue Me). Adelaide in turn is convinced that he is lying. As Sky won the gamblers are obliged to attend the meeting at the Mission where – after some initial reluctance – they join Nicely-Nicely in giving testimony (Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat). Though Lt Brannigan, hot on their heels, remains unconvinced, General Cartwright is impressed.

When Sarah learns that Sky told Nathan he had lost their bet and did not take her to Havana, she realises he can’t be all bad. She and Adelaide commiserate with each other on the problems of getting their guys to change their ways and decide the answer is to marry them first – and then change them (Marry the Man Today). So they all live happily ever after.