WABASH, IN- A year removed from its previous fall musical, Wabash Area Community Theater (WACT) is excited to share its 2022 musical the final week of September.
After months of behind-the-scenes work and rehearsals, WACT will put on “Guys and Dolls” the weekend of September 23-25 at the Honeywell Center’s Ford Theater. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, the musical fable is based on the Damon Lyons’ short story “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown.” Set in a mythical New York City, it tells the tale of one Nathan Detroit – a guy who needs a venue for his “permanently established floating craps game.” Nathan’s best venue has just fallen through and he needs a chunk of change to underwrite an alternative option.
The musical premiered on Broadway in 1950 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. It was also adapted five years later into a film that featured the likes of Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine. WACT also produced the classic as its fall musical in 2000, making this only the second time that WACT has produced the same fall musical twice, the other being “The Music Man.”
The WACT production is under the direction of Jason Gornto, a lifelong resident of Peru, Indiana, and a music teacher at Peru High School.
“I’ve been in the orchestra pit for WACT for many, many years,” Gornto said. “I was approached by the WACT Board of Directors about directing it, and as it’s one of my favorite productions it made too much sense to not help bring this show to life.
“There are 14 musical numbers in this production and while people will recognize the hits like ‘A Bushel and a Peck’ and ‘Luck Be a Lady,’ our guests will love how the entire musical collection and this amazing cast tell a story about ambition, love and self-made luck.”
Tickets for WACT’s production of “Guys and Dolls” are $20 each and available for purchase through the Honeywell Center’s Box Office at 260-563-1102 or online at honeywellarts.org.
Cast members for the performance include Chris Rayment, Todd Dazey, Kyle Johnson, Emily Perkins, Kevin Funk, Angelina Funk, Rafa Cámaras, Rebekah Slack, Eric Schoening, Jon Vanderpool, Eric Reichenbach, Gary Norman, Annie Furtner, Joe Pyke, Keith Martin, Andrea Lanham, Lori Widman, Gregg Reed, Bob Yaggi, Maleri MacOwan, Erica Laycock, Madeline Dazey, Kevin Martin, Deb Schenkel, Samantha Gornto, Madison Waldon, Angie Bidwell, Molly Dazey, Kristi Jauregui, Lin Metzger, Beth Miller, Lynette Smith, Mindy Trusty and Bev Vanderpool.
A special cameo appearance in the production will feature the return of WACT Board Life Member and long-time actor Bob Wade.
Orchestra members include Conductor, Judy Ward; piano, Eileen Dye; violins, Paula Merriman, Julie Sadler, and Margaret Sklenar; cello, Carolyn Stoner; flutes/piccolo, LuAnn Craft andPatty Chambers; clarinet/alto saxophone, Sarah See and Bob Urbani; tenor saxophone/baritone saxophone, Chris Hickman; trumpets, Randy Thrush, Emily Rodeck, and Ron Withers; trombones, Lindsay Knee and Bob Brown; French horn, Carolyn Eppley; bass guitar, Barry Eppley; percussion, Bob Ferguson.
Co-producers are Bev Vanderpool and Beth Miller. Musical director is Judy Ward. Set designer is Biz Bates. Set construction supervisor is Gary Norman. Choreographer is Andrea Lanham. Stage manager is Madison Waldon. Costumer is Eileen Meyer Sklar. Rehearsal pianist is Eileen Dye. Props masters are Lisa Rice, Cheryl Maggart, Lori Widman and Lin Metzger.
Those who have questions about the production are welcome to reach out to WACT by email at wabashtheater@gmail.com.
WACT’s mission is as follows: “Wabash Area Community Theater nurtures the creative spirit of area residents by providingfocused educational experiences in all areas of live theater as members work to produce quality live performances that enhance Wabash’s cultural offerings.”
