Reviewed by Mary Alderson Entertain This Thought. (Reprinted with the permission of the author.)
(Pictured: Devon Michael Brown with members of the company. Photo: Ann Baggley.)
The Saints are the people of the Save-Our-Souls Mission, a Salvation-Army-like group, who parade the streets of New York with their meagre marching band, trying to bring lost souls back to their Mission, for a Bible-thumping soul-saving meeting.
The Sinners are the guys: gamblers, who roll the dice and try to find a location to hold their next craps game. As well, there is another group of sinners, the dolls: women who dance in skimpy clothes at the Hot Box Club.
We don’t doubt the sincerity of the Mission folks for a minute. But soon we learn that the sinners have a strong ethical code, too. The guys never welch on a marker, meaning they never try to sneak out of keeping a promise or repaying a debt. As well, the dolls want to live moral lives. Their leader, Miss Adelaide, wants nothing more than to end her 14-year engagement with Nathan Detroit, get married and have children.
This is a good old-fashioned musical with everything. There is a great plot with lots of laughs and even some romance, there are great songs and wonderful singing with rich, powerful voices, and there is the most amazing dancing you’ve ever seen. This well-cast production is now on stage at Stratford Festival Theatre, running until November 1, and if the opening night audience is any indication, it will be extended by repeat customers wanting more.
About 22 years ago, when I first started writing reviews, I was often asked to critique community theatre shows. I had just returned from a trip to Broadway when I wrote about a very good community theatre production, and I was quite kind to them. However, the starring amateur actor insisted that their production “could stand up to anything on Broadway.” When I inadvertently grinned at that comment, assuming he was joking, he took offence.
It’s a long way to New York City from Stratford in southwestern Ontario. But Guys and Dolls, now on stage at the Stratford Festival, has completely closed that gap. If you have never seen a big-time musical on Broadway, head over to Stratford to see Guys and Dolls. This is better than Broadway.
(Pictured: Members of the company. Photo: David Hou.)
As I tried to explain to the amateur star, Broadway shows have the whole package. The orchestrations are perfect, and the music surrounds and fills the audience. The lighting, costumes, and sets draw you in. And the talent – acting, singing and dancing – is perfect.
Director Donna Feore, as she did in 2017, has constructed the whole package, filling it with expertise and energy. And the audience on opening night was appreciative. The show was stopped with a long and loud standing ovation for the powerful dance number.
Among the saints and sinners are two couples — gambling organizer Nathan Detroit who’s had the long-term engagement to Hot Box Dancer Miss Adelaide, and Sky Masterson, a lucky gambler, who takes missionary Sarah to Cuba on a bet. The story unfolds as the two unlikely couples come together.
Jennifer Rider-Shaw leads a strong cast as Miss Adelaide. Her comedic talents, combined with her powerful singing voice, command the audience’s attention whenever she’s on the stage. She has the New York accent down pat. Her “Adelaide’s Lament” has the audience amused. Later, she sings “Take Back Your Mink” with the Hot Box girls. Mark Uhre as Nathan Detroit keeps the audience laughing as the loveable rogue. In some productions, one has the impression that Miss Adelaide only wants to get married for the sake of marriage. But with this couple, the audience is convinced that they really love each other.
(Pictured: Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane and Jennifer Ryder-Shaw. Photo: Dan Hou.)
Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane as Sarah Brown looks the missionary very much with her innocent face and sweet smile. Dan Chameroy gives us a Sky Masterson who is equally charming and deceptive. He makes you believe that he reluctantly fell in love with Sarah. Chameroy sings “Luck Be a Lady”, reminiscent of Frank Sinatra.
Steve Ross as Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Gabriel Antonacci as Benny Southstreet are the hilarious sidekicks. Ross’s gospel solo at the Mission, “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” is rollicking good fun. Stephen Patterson as Brother Abernathy, the Mission leader, sings a beautiful rendition of “More I Cannot Wish for You” that brings tears to your eyes. Juan Chioran as Big Jule, the tough-guy gambler, adds to the urgency of finding a gambling hide-out.
Special shout-out to Nehassaiu deGannes as Lieutenant Brannigan, for her performance at the beginning of the show. She aims her weapon and fires a bullet straight into a ringing telephone, causing its demise. Her no-nonsense approach puts the fear in everyone. No one in the full-to-the-rafters theatre is going to let their phones ring during the show.
The high-energy dancing and intricate choreography with jumps, flips and spins is what you’ll remember from Guys and Dolls, especially when the guys roll the dice in “The Crapshooters Dance”. With these guys moving all over, one doesn’t know where to look! There is also amazing dancing in the exciting Havana scene, and the women shine as high-kicking Hot Box girls. In this Broadway-calibre production, you will actually see what a showstopper is.
So, what happens when the lives of saints and sinners collide? You need to hurry and buy your tickets for Guys and Dolls to learn the answer. It will sell out fast, even if it’s extended.
Guys and Dolls continues in repertory until November 1 at the Festival Theatre, Stratford. Tickets are available at the Stratford Festival at 1-800-567-1600, or check www.stratfordfestival.ca
Photo: Devon Michael Brown as Rusty Charlie with members of the company, Guys and Dolls. Stratford Festival 2026. Photo: Ann Baggley.
Guys and Dolls
Story and Characters by Damon Runyon
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Directed and choreographed by Donna Feore
Musical Direction by Franklin Brasz
Performed by Jennifer Rider-Shaw, Mark Uhre, Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane, Dan Chameroy, Steve Ross, Stephen Patterosn, Nehassaiu deGannes, et al.
Festival Theatre, Stratford
May 26 to November 1, 2026
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
For more Reviews, visit Entertain This Thought – Ontario Theatre Reviews
The Beat Magazine 2025 