CENTERVILLE — The classic love story between the infamous gambler Nathan Detroit and his long-suffering lady love, Adelaide, will be told on the CenterPoint stage again.
It'll just be tweaked a bit.
Sarah Brown, the rescue mission's spearhead, will still get caught up in Sky Masterson's spell, but otherwise, CenterPoint Legacy Theatre's presentation of "Guys and Dolls" may look a little different.
"Guys and Dolls" is the story of gamblers who live for the next game and the women who are waiting for them to give it up and settle down. It involves a woman dedicated to saving souls who falls for a longtime gambler as well.
Miss Adelaide has waited 14 years for Detroit to change his ways and pop the question. She already has the wedding veil, and she's told her mother she and Detroit are married and are expecting their sixth child. But Detroit is caught up in finding a place for his next underground craps game.
Meanwhile, Sarah Brown, a dedicated mission lady, is trying to bring religion to the people who live in the streets and runs into Sky Masterson, a handsome gambler who attempts to woo her into going with him to Cuba so he can win a bet.
Then he falls for her.
As the two women try to change their men and the men try half-heartedly to change their ways, the story examines promises, patience and true love with humor, a certain amount of realism and great musical charm.
Jennie Richardson, costumer and co-director, says the intention was to tighten up the story, focus more on ensemble cast members and make some characters — such as Sarah — more likable and real.
"We really have put things in a different light," Richardson said. "We've fleshed out Sarah, and we don't want Sky to come over from a life of gambling to the mission. That's a pretty quick transition. The original is too long, so we're cutting some things, some reprises, and hoping for a 2 hour, 5 minute show."
The ensemble, she said, will present strong dancing, music and individual character storylines, and the focus won't be so much on Nathan Detroit and Adelaide or Sky and Sarah.
"Everybody should have a story," Richardson said. "We all love Nathan and Adelaide, but we're hoping to even things out."
The minimalist set is designed to give the show a Dick Tracy comic book look, full of color and originality.
Richardson said the music, directed by Gary Sorenson, who also plays Sky in one of the casts, is fabulous and that families can come and enjoy the show.
"There's nothing at all that's a problem," she said. "Even the Hot Box dancers are less burlesque. It's all cutesy."
Richardson said this production doesn't quite follow the movie, the usual version or the original "Guys and Dolls."
"We're hoping people will come and go, 'Oh!'" Richardson said. "Hopefully, there are a few surprises the audience will enjoy."
She and her husband, Josh, have enjoyed working together as a directing team on the production. They have already successfully co-directed a number of shows.
"It works well," she said. "We tend to look at different things. I'm watching the costumes, the lights, the shoes. He's looking at the actors and the blocking. When we clash, we let the actor choose what we do."
Content advisory: "Guys and Dolls" contains references to gambling and drinking, as well as mild innuendo.
If you go ...
What: "Guys and Dolls"
Where: CenterPoint Legacy Theatre, 525 N. 400 West, Centerville
When: Aug. 10-Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $17-$23
Phone: 801-298-1302
Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.
Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com