Newcity Stage

Theater, Dance, Comedy and Performance in Chicago

Luck is a Lady Tonight: A Review of “Guys and Dolls” at Drury Lane

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by Dennis Polkow
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A theater production of women wearing mink coats, black dresses and wide-brimmed hats, holding cigarettes.

Drury Lane’s “Guys and Dolls,” with Alanna Lovely and the Hotbox Dancers/Photo: Brett Beiner

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Thanks to memorable music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a prose rewrite of Jo Sterling’s book by Abe Burrows, “Guys and Dolls” has remained a staple of the Broadway canon since it opened nearly seventy-five years ago.

Even if director and choreographer of the current Drury Lane production Dan Knechtges prizes acting ability and Shakespearean-like monologuing over singing ability, this is a show that can work virtually regardless of approach.

Nathan Detroit is often played suave, but Jackson Evans makes him what he is—an immature everyman who cannot settle down. Poor fourteen-year-long Detroit fiancée and performer Miss Adelaide (Alanna Lovely) has to do her best acting to her mother and to herself. Sky Masterson is often played smooth, but Pepe Nufrio plays him occasionally less sure, especially as he is falling in love with missionary Sarah Brown (Erica Stephan).

A group of seated people raise their arms in praise at a mission, while a man prays on his knees to their side.

Drury Lane’s “Guys and Dolls”/Photo: Brett Beiner

There have been all-Black “Guys and Dolls” casts in London and New York, but the diverse Drury Lane cast creates a world that is colorful in the best sense. KC McNeil, for instance, almost steals the show as an intimidating Big Jule in a pinstripe suit with shoulder-length dreadlocks under his fedora.

All of the ensemble characters are credibly portrayed, but the best element of this production is the dancing, wonderfully choreographed by Knechtges. We really feel fully transported to Cuba through dance, and the big production numbers have magnificent momentum.

Through June 9 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane Road, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets available at drurylanetheatre.com.