Guys and Dolls Preview
Pioneer Valley High School Drama students and crew members will present the musical “Guys and Dolls”, commonly called “the quintessential American musical” by drama critics as it continues to stand the test of time, on April 4th- 6th and 11th -13th.
The 7 p.m. shows will take place inside the school’s Performing Arts Center. Students/seniors $8 and adults $12. The storyline involves three small-time gamblers who argue over which horse will win a big race. The band members of the Save-a-Soul Mission, led by the pious and beautiful Sergeant Sarah Brown, call for sinners to “Follow the Fold” and repent.
“It’s a story about the gamblers of 1940’s New York City and the women who love them,’’ said Drama Teacher Shawnah Van Gronigen. “It’s also about falling in love with the seemingly wrong person and learning that people are not always what they appear to be on the outside.”
“This show has expanded my musical tastes in ways I couldn’t have imagined,” says senior Natalie Tayahua, who transferred to PV in order to be involved in their drama program.
Senior Gabriela Ramirez, who has been in the drama program for the past four years, says that she enjoys this musical particularly because “Everyone is so supportive with helping out with learning the music, the lines, and the scene changes.”
Van Gronigen said the musical has attracted a lot of Panther talent.
“What is great about this production is we have so many new faces in the cast and so many remarkable singers,’’ Van Gronigen said. “Many of the cast members are new to performing and they are so excited to perform live on stage. “It has a lot of wonderful characters and memorable songs like the song Frank Sinatra made famous, “Luck Be a Lady Tonight” and one of the best songs in musical theater, “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” The students are having a blast learning the choreography and working on the New York accents.
The production has 40 students in the cast and crew. Students learning to use the new equipment operate all the lights and sound in the Performing Arts Center.