By David C. Nichols, Special to The Times
Can do, these 'Guys' can do
In the deft hands of Musical Theatre West, this classic musical rings like a bell.

Reviewing "Guys and Dolls" in 1950, critic Brooks Atkinson said, "It is a more coherent show than some that have higher artistic pretensions." He was right - Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows' ageless riff on Damon Runyon is a perfectly constructed classic, as the superb Musical Theatre West revival demonstrates.

Director Nick DeGruccio favors musical fable over antic cartoon, which pays top-notch returns. As the swinging band helmed by musical director Todd Helm erupts into the prologue, a collective grin crosses the venue. Brass licks announce Nicely-Nicely Johnson (John Massey), Benny Southstreet (Robert Marra) and Rusty Charlie (Robert Pieranunzi). They sidle into "Fugue for Tinhorns," and musical comedy heaven is nigh.

FalseAnswer Credit the cast, a solid-gold gang that inhales the argot and Loesser's evergreen score. Tami Tappan Damiano is ideal as missionary Sarah Brown, her Bacardi-woozy "If I Were a Bell" most endearing. She has great chemistry with Kevin Earley's clarion-voiced Sky Masterson, who builds to a galvanic "Luck Be a Lady." Patrick De Santis invests floating crap-game maven Nathan Detroit with precise hangdog bristle. As his "well-known fiance," Miss Adelaide, the priceless Bets Malone, suggests Judy Holliday on Sudafed. Massey and Marra rip up the title song, while Nils Anderson gives Sarah's grandfather touching sincerity. Herschel Sparber of the 1992 revival remains a hilarious behemoth as Big Jule, and so goes the joyous roster, properly stopping the show at "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat."

Choreographer Lee Martino outdoes herself, with deft floorshow routines and a whirligig crapshooter's ballet. The rental sets evoke Jo Mielziner, costume coordinator Todd K. Proto tweaks reality into satire, and Jeremy Pivnick offers swell lighting. Broadway-loving lugs and skirts won't find a surer bet than this vintage trip to Runyonland.

7/16/2005

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