Stuck in Vermont 17: Guys and Dolls

Lyric Theatre Company, one of New England's largest volunteer community theatre groups, presents "Guys and Dolls" April 12-15th  at the Flynn Center.  This is the third time Lyric has put on this sassy show and their 36 member-cast of veterans and newcomers range in age from 17 to 75 and hail from 14 Vermont communities. 

I talked to the colorful cast and crew about the show, their love of performing, how they got started, how many shows they have been in, and what Lyric means to them.  When I first moved to Vermont, I played Cha Cha in Lyric's "Grease" which featured many of the Guys and Dolls that I interviewed.  Rob was "my Eugene," Serena and Don (now married) were Rizzo and Kenickie, Syndi was the director and Kate and Jenn were my 50s homegirls.  Memories...

You have to hand it to theatre folk, they do what they do out of love.  It isn't easy working full-time and spending your evenings singing and dancing for free but something inexplicable drives them and like 5 time Lyric show cast member Rob says, "I don't know, it's magic to me, just magic."

The vlog takes place at the Eagles Club in Burlington Vermont where Lyric spent the past couple of months rehearsing in their banquet hall (pay no attention to me when I call it the Elk's Club in the intro, typical doll behavior).

The classic songs (good luck getting them out of your head) are from "Guys and Dolls" and were composed by Frank Loesser.  The book was adapted by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows from The Idyll Of Miss Sarah Brown, a short story by Damon Runyon. It also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories, most notably "Pick the Winner."

Comments

[ram]

Thanks Eva for a great VLOG. Still miss you on the stage and hope you come back for another show with us soon.

ram

[Eva]

Thanks, I can't wait to see "Guys and Dolls" and have been singing the songs all week! The show looks great!

PS You might see me at the "West Side Story" auditions..."I know a city in San Juan..."

[Bob Bolyard]

Eva - Great story presented in a great way!! Got to admit I'm a bit partial - I'm in the show. Was at Finnigan's Pub last night and someone said, "Aren't you in Guys & Dolls?" I admitted to the fact and then asked why she asked me... "I saw the v-blog on 7 Days website - it looks fun and I'm coming to see the show!"

True story!
Bob "Benny Southstreet" Bolyard

[Eva]

Oooh, thanks for sharing Benny, erhm, I mean Bob! That makes me glad! I saw Nathan Detroit walking down the street yesterday and couldn't resist, had to start singing, "It's Nathan, Nathan, Nathan, Nathan Detroit!"

You guys are awesome and I cannot get those great songs out of my head! Can't wait to see the show!