July 6, 2022
By Rachel Scofield
Opening this Friday and running through July 17, Pickerington Community Theatre (PCT) presents the musical comedy Guys and Dolls at the Wigwam Theater.
Set in Prohibition-era New York City, gambler Nathan Detroit desperately needs cash to fund the biggest craps game in town. Meanwhile, his fiancée of 14 years, nightclub headliner Miss Adelaide, may finally be giving up on him. When self-assured gambler Sky Masterson arrives in town, Nathan sees an opportunity to grab the bucks he seeks.
“I love Guys and Dolls,” said Marquan Denby, who plays one of the guys. “I’m not usually into older generation musicals but this show, is definitely one of the best.”
Audience members unfamiliar with the show may recognize several of the musical numbers like “Luck Be a Lady”, “Adelaide’s Lament” and “Guys and Dolls”.
Denby praises director Chris Gallaugher and choreographer Jenny Small for taking a fun show and reimagining it to make it even better.
“Chris is a great guy,” Denby said. “He is a very hard director, but he is very good at what he does.”
Choreographer Small has a similar work ethic. She gets to know each actor then incorporates their individual skills to “make the dancing ten times better.”
“She found out I could tumble and now I tumble in every show,” Denby said.
The production features a 13-piece orchestra under the direction of Sue Laney.
“We can’t wait for you to hear our orchestra at Guys and Dolls!” the group posted on social media.
“PCT is like a family, and there aren’t a lot of theatre companies like that,” Denby said. “It’s like coming home. There is just a family-centric atmosphere that even before I was in the shows, I could feel it here.”
Performances are the weekends of July 8 and 15. Friday and Saturday shows begin 8 pm with Sunday matinees at 2 pm.
Tickets are $19.00 per adult, $17.00 for seniors and $17.00 for children 12 and younger. You may purchase tickets online (up to two hours before showtime) or at the theater on the day of your selected performance (one hour before showtime). Tickets bought online will be available for pick up at the will call table at the theater one hour before showtime. If you have any questions, please call the PCT Box Office at (614) 508-0036.
The Wigwam Theatre is located at 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Road Northwest in Pickerington.
Coming up next, the PCT will perform The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! October 7-16. Tickets will be available for purchase on the PCT website.
