by Ed Farolan
I think Glynis Leyshon's love for musicals paid off by including,
in Vancouver Playhouse's repertoire for this season, a nostalgic revival
of a Broadway musical classic that was a hit in 1950 (1,200 performances).
Leyshon herself commented that she was determined to put musicals back to
the Playhouse stage. And rightly so because we come to the theatre to be
entertained, and what better way to be entertained by enjoying a musical
comedy like Guys and Dolls.
The actors were terrific singers, dancers and comedians. John Ullyatt
(Sky Masterson) reminds me of the young Marlon Brando when he did the
film version of this musical, but I think John did a better job as Sky than
Marlon did in the movie.
Laara Sadiq (Sarah Brown), on the other hand, is a look-alike of the
young Barbra Streisand in movies like Funny Girl. I wish, though,
that she would belt out those songs with more energy as Barbra does.
I enjoyed, as did everyone else in the audience, the energy and comicity
of Stephen Miller (Nicely Nicely). He was most funny and entertaining
in the Prayer Meeting scene, as did everyone in the ensemble who supported
him as he did his rendition of "Boat to Heaven".
Karin Konoval was just great. In every way, she performed
professionally. No wonder she has received and been nominated for many
Jessie awards.
Most of the audience, I could see, were mostly seniors, and they were
very appreciative with the actors' efforts, and laughed at all the punch
lines. They obviously caught the humour of those good ol' times.
I would suggest that the souvenir program (especially for musicals like
this) list down the titles of the songs so that we won't be perpetually
guessing "Oh I know that song, but what's the title?"