NU Theatre presents musical 'Guys and Dolls'

From April 23 through May 3, Niagara University Theatre tops off its 51st season with a rollicking production of "Guys and Dolls." Steve Braddock, director of NU Theatre, will helm the production of this Tony Award-winning show filled with unforgettable songs, a quirky cast of gamblers, gangsters, gals and good neighbors.

Set in Damon Runyon's fictitious New York City, inveterate gambler Nathan Detroit is strapped for cash to set up the biggest craps game in town. A scheme involving fellow gambler Sky Masterson, wagering for the heart of a straight-laced missionary, threatens to undermine his credibility with fellow gamblers - and his fiancé of 14 years.

"Guys and Dolls" will be on stage in the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall, at 7 p.m. Thursdays, April 23 and 30. The musical will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, Saturday, April 25, and Friday, May 1. In addition, 2 p.m. matinees will be held Saturday, April 25, Sunday, April 26 (with post-show discussion) and Sunday, May 3.

Musical direction will be provided by Cristen Gregory, adjunct professor (voice) and choreography will be provided by Terri Filips Vaughan, associate professor/choreographer. Assistant choreographer is alumna Brittany Gabryel. Fight choreography is by Adriano Gatto, artist-in-residence (stage combat) and recruiter. Costumes will be by associate professor/costume and makeup designer Maureen T. Stevens. Assistant costume designer is theater performance major Bradeen Walders. Scenic design will be by associate professor/scenic designer/production manager David Dwyer. Assistant scene designer/charge artist is theater design/technology major Yang Di Yu. Lighting designer is theater design/technology major Nathan Van Remmen. Sound design is by Glenn Bernardis.

Niagara University theater performance majors who are in the cast hail from New York, Pennsylvania, California and Canada. Cast members include: Alexander Utz (Nathan Detroit), Kathleen Macari (Miss Adelaide), Joshua Ranallo (Sky Masterson), Elena Victoria Feliz (Sarah Brown), Mark Pietruszka (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Matthew Dell'Olio (Benny Southstreet), Peter S. Raimondo (Rusty Charlie), Colin Reboy (Arvide Abernathy), Josephine Lazusky (General Cartwight), Brittany Shannon (Agatha), Dylan Zalikowski (Big Jule), Nathanial W. C. Higgins (Harry the Horse), Kevin Trala (Lieutenant Brannigan), and Sydney Buchholtz, Heather Casseri, Clarissa Maloy and Kayla McSorley (Hot Box Girls). Also in the cast are: Sarah Emmerling and Kalee George (Salvation Army Band) and company members Krista Cantrell, Shelby Ehrenreich, MacKenzie Gildemeyer, Andrew Hayes, Brett Klaczyk, Matthew Myers and Steven Sass.

Theater design/technology major Stevie Lukaszewski is stage manager. Theater performance major Mersedez Hoover and theater design/technology major John Palesh III are assistant stage managers.

For more information, or for tickets, visit http://theatre.niagara.edu/, stop by the box office in the lobby of the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall (Monday-Friday 2:30-5:30 p.m. and one hour prior to curtain) or call 716-286-8685.