Migration Hall Rolls For The Win with Guys and Dolls

Guys-and-Dolls Broadway came to life in the ambitious and infectious Guys and Dolls at Migration Hall in Kingsville this past weekend. The company’s take on the 1950s tale of gamblers, dancers and soul-savers in New York City had the opening night audience smiling, laughing and tapping their feet to some irresistibly catchy music, flashy costumes and fun choreography.

The hall was set up in a cabaret style with circular tables throughout the floor and a serious selection of food and drink was available inside and at an outdoor food truck. It was a phenomenal layout for this presentation.

Guys and Dolls follows the story of obsessive gambler Sky Masterson (Eric Minch) as he is challenged by Nathan Detroit (Dan Santos) that he cannot take prim and proper missionary Sarah Brown (Becca Silvius) on a date. Detroit is not without his own trials in the romantic world; his fiancée of 14 years, Miss Adelaide (Stephanie Allen Santos), is growing impatient with his endless gambling ways.

The production featured four extremely strong leads, each bringing distinctive voices and talents to the show, making it a lively and fun-filled evening. Minch was slick, debonair and a smooth player as Sky, while Dan Santos offered some adorable and loveable sleaze to Detroit.

The leading women were equally as charming. Stephanie Allen Santos was as cute as a button as Miss Adelaide – this was a shining moment and a perfectly crafted roll. And I must say, it’s also the only time I’ve ever seen her in her unmentionables, when she got a little cheeky during those Hot Box routines. Silvius keeps getting better with every show. She was absolutely adorable as Gertrude McFuzz in last year’s Seussical, but with Sarah Brown, she raised the bar. Silvius had a charm that reminded me of the girl-next-door characters Sandra Bullock played earlier in her career.

Another standout was Brett Hallick who was a pure joy to watch as Nicely-Nicely Johnson. He gave the character a good balance – there was just enough cynical and deadpan mocking to know he’s a diehard gambler, but he also gave the role a little fun and sympathy, which made the character much more loveable. Johnson is the type of character that can make or break the relationship between the gamblers and Hallick elevated the him beyond what most community players might do with the role.

The Hot Box and Havana scenes were fun. The cheesy cabaret of Bushel and A Peck was super fun and the crowd loved the dresses getting ripped off in Take Back Your Mink. The stellar Havana dance routine was a highpoint in the show.

There’s a lot of theatre competition in Windsor-Essex at the moment, but Guys and Dolls is a bit like a trusted old friend – it’s a guaranteed good time. With Migration Hall’s annual productions, you’re always guaranteed a hit.

The production featured four strong leads, each bringing distinctive talents to the show, making it a lively and fun-filled evening. It took an incredible cast, crew and orchestra to put this show together. Director Melissa McLeod crafted a combination of acting, choreography, live music in a fast moving and lively show that can’t be missed.

Guys and Dolls runs for three more shows at Migration Hall on March 1, 2 and 3. If it’s anything like opening weekend, seating will go fast. Tickets are $25 each or $20 when purchased in tables of eight. For more visit https://www.facebook.com/migrationhallkingsville/events/?ref=page_internal

CAST

Sky Masterson – Eric Mlinch
Nathan Detroit – Dan Santos
Sarah Brown – Becca Silvius
Miss Adelaide – Stephanie Allen Santos
Nicely-Nicely Johnson – Brett Hallick
Benny Southwest – Greg Iler
Rusty Charlie – Steven Richardson

MEMBERS OF THE SAVE-A-SOUL MISSION

Arvide Abernathy – Jane Renaud
Agatha – Becky Glover
Calvin – Kyle C Haight
Martha – Kelsey Laliberty
General Matilda B. Cartwright – Laurie Niefer

CRAPSHOOTERS

Harry The Horse – Sean Humenny
Big Jule – Donny Thievierge
Angie The Ox – Dylan Dundas
Crapshooters & Gamblers – Mike Deimling, Liz Durance, Becky Glover, Wallace Green, Kyle C Haight, Ryan Hallick, Stacey Jones, Marci Kavannaugh-Roy, Kelsey Laliberty, Emily LeClaire, Geralyn O’Brien, Savannah Mastronardi, Teresa Mazzella, Rachel Park, Cyndy Silvius, Mara Waites
LT. Brannigan – Mike Deimling

THE HOT BOX NIGHTCLUB

Mimi – Teresa Mazzella
Hot Box Dancers – Liz Durance, Stacey Jones, Kelsey Laliberty, Emily LeClaire , Savannah Mastronardi, Teresa Mazzella
Barbara – Geralyn O’Brien
Joey Biltmore – Ryan Hallick
Master of Ceremonies – Ryan Hallick

ORCHESTRA

Flute – Tina Fabischek, Jackie Mailloux, Nicole Topliffe, Laura Santarossa, Sheena Nykolaiszyn
Violin – Susi Dupuis
Reeds – Sarah McCallum, Laura Hall, Lorraine Capel-Cure, Matthew Grayson
Trumpet – Amanda Hanson, Leah Harwood, Austin Laprise
French Horn – Rachel Lewis, Linda Savenye
Trombone – Alison Stoll, Neil Johnstone
Tuba – Jonah Hall
Bass Guitar – Adrien Gagnon
Piano – Liz Coulthard
Drum Set – Taylor Unis
Percussion – Khalid Baksh
Conductor – Beth Dykeman

PIT CHORUS

Guys – Art Brunet, Andy Carscadden, Bob Goodwin, Larry Robinet, Ray Silvius, Mitch Snaden, Joe VanNiekerk
Dolls – Arlene Bryce-Hanson, Linda Dalley, Ricci George, Mary Gloster, Felicia Heron, Sharon Hocevar, Marilyn Laframboise, Kathy Langlois, Randee Mayrand, Marlene Moore, Kathleen Paterson, Julia Santin, Michelle Santin, Janet Snaden

THE CREW

Director – Melissa McLeod
Vocal Director – Erin Armstrong
Choreographer – Becca Silvius
Assistant Director – Kyle C. Haight
Stage Manager – Angelica Haggert
Orchestral Director – Beth Dykeman
Administration – Laurie Niefer
Technical Director – Jim Hulme & Bill Porteous
Lighting Design & Tech – David Crawley
Technical Crew – Lauren Crowley, Amada Slingerland, Nic Willemsma
Set Concept & Deign – Becca Silvius
Set Construction – Bas Britnell, Art Bruner, Mike Deimling, Dylan Dundas, Becky Glover, Wallace Green, Brett & Ryan Hallick, Jim Hulme, Sean Humenny, Greg Iler, Kelsy Laliberty, Emily LeClair, Phil Marynerwich, Savannah Mastronardi, Laurie Niefer, Geralyn O’Brien, Rachel Park, Bill Porteous, Steven Richardson, Chris Ryan, Dan Santos, Becca Silvius, Ray Silvius, David Sivak, Mara Waites, Matt Daudlin & KDHS Tech Zone
Set painting – Becca Silvius, Olivia Jones, Stacey Jones, Kelsey Laliberty, Teresa Mazzella, Laurie Niefer, Geralyn O’Brien, Rachel Park, Stephanie Allen Santos, Cyndy Silvius
Stage Crew – Bill Porteous, Jude Mercer, Juliana Willemsma
Properties – Cyndy Silvius
Props Crew – Kyle C. Haight
Costume Coordinator – Bonnie Porteous
Costume Crew – Stephanie Allen Santos, Monika Jezierska, Stacey Jones, Olivia Jones, Emily LeClaire, Melissa McLeod, Rachel Park, Larissa Porteous, Becca Silvius
Hair & Make-up – Jennifer Mastronardi, Samantha George
Front of House – Elaine Krestel, Janet Barraco, Louise Barraco, Joe Hocevar, Migration Hall Ushers
Production Liaison – Bonnie Porteous
Production Team – Bonnie Porteous, Melissa McLeod, Becca Silvius, Kyle Haight, Angelica Haggert, Jim Hulme, Bill Porteous, Stephanie Allen Santos
Marketing, Promotion & Advertising – Stephanie Allen Santos, Lucretia Barraco
Program – Stephanie Allen Santos, The Kingsville Reporter
Migration Hall Board – Bonnie Porteous (Chair), Betsey Sabara (Vice Chair), Larry Paterson (Town Council Rep), Julia Burgess (GECDSB Trustee), Bill Toews (KDHS Principal), Heather McDonald, Marg Stevens (Past Chair), Stephanie Allen Santos (Manager), Peter Slingerland (Technical Director).