Notre Dame to present 'Guys and Dolls'

Notre Dame Regional High School has been producing a spring musical every year for as long as most people can remember.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of all-school spring productions, although plays have been produced at Notre Dame since the school was founded in 1925 as St. Mary's High School.

"Theater has been here for all 90 years," said Cynthia King, director of theater arts. "In 1966, the first all-school production, 'The Sound of Music,' was held. Prior to that, plays were predominantly senior class productions."

This year's show, "Guys And Dolls," has it all -- singing, dancing, comedy and romance. Some songs in the musical include "Luck Be a Lady Tonight" and "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck."

The musical opened on Broadway in 1950, and the storyline follows two unlikely couples.

The role of Sky Masterson, a professional gambler, is played by senior Andrew Bell.

His character is married to the head of a mission, Sarah Brown, played by Amber Vandeven, a junior.

"It becomes comic when you see the interaction between the crap shooters and the mission workers," said Cynthia King, director of theater arts at NDRHS. "They come from different worlds."

Miss Adelaide, played by senior Madeleine Arzen, has lied to her parents about being married with children, when in reality, she has been engaged for 14 years to her fiancé, Nathan Detroit, played by senior Ryan Hulshof.

The students in the 36-member cast are dedicated, to say the least. Auditions for the spring production began in mid-January, with two-hour rehearsals that started in February and are held every night during the week.

"It is intense," King said.

On Saturdays, students with dance parts have rehearsed with choreographer Deana Pecord, and on Sundays, those with singing parts have practiced music.

King, who has led the theater program for 43 years, said "Guys and Dolls" was produced 32 years ago, and several of the cast members from the first show will be attending the play.

One of the original cast members, Florence Harold, was assistant director in the 1982 production. Her daughter, Kathleen Harold, a freshman, is working on the stage crew and has a part in this show as well.

Another bit of nostalgia: the play is set in New York City, from whence Notre Dame principal Brother David Migliarino hails.

The play runs April 9 through 12. Special group-rate tickets are available for opening night only. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m.

Tickets, which are $10 apiece, are available online at notredamehighschool.org or by phone at 573-335-6772, ext. 311.