Grab Your Seats: STC’s Guys and Dolls Is a ‘Sure Bet’
The dice are delightfully loaded in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s buoyant revival of Guys and Dolls at Harman Hall, a musical that may appear “dated” but actually plays less like a novelty revival and more like a confidently crafted piece of theatrical storytelling with a savvy sense of showmanship.
Directed by Francesca Zambello, the Washington National Opera’s artistic director, this Damon Runyon romp feels right at home in the District: buttoned-up on the surface and brazenly big-hearted underneath. Based on Runyon’s stories, with Frank Loesser’s forever-fresh music and lyrics and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, the production plays its cards close and then cashes in with charisma.
Guys and Dolls centers on Nathan Detroit’s (Rob Colletti) desperate attempt to hold his “oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York,” but he needs cold, hard cash to bankroll the location. Enter high-roller Sky Masterson (Jacob Dickey), who takes a wager that he can win a date with the impeccably proper Sarah Brown (Emma Flynn) of the Save-A-Soul Mission. It’s a gamble that pays off in sparkling scenes, smartly staged stakes, and a romance that rolls from wary to winning. Zambello’s direction keeps the tempo tight and the tone tender, balancing bravado with belief, while never losing sight of Runyon’s raffish humanity.
The show’s strongest hand lies in its changing set design, which fluidly reshapes Harman Hall into a New York that is always in motion. Scenes glide seamlessly from streets to missions to Havana hideaways. Like a well-run game, nothing stalls; the visual storytelling constantly nudges the narrative forward, making the set itself an active player in the evening’s success.
Equally impressive is Joshua Bergasse’s choreography, which brings snap, swagger, and unmistakable musicality to the production. Nowhere is this more evident than at the top of the Second Act, where the men’s dance leading into “Luck Be a Lady” becomes a standout moment. It’s a masterclass in ensemble movement — clean, clever, and thrillingly timed — that earns its place as the production’s high-rolling highlight.
Other classic tunes, including “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” and “A Bushel and a Peck,” also offer crowd-pleasing payoffs that remind audiences why Guys and Dolls has long been a winning wager.
Consider this reviewer all in: It’s a must-see show of the holiday season that proves the house doesn’t always win… and the audience definitely does.
Guys and Dolls must close January 8th. For final performances, save 25% on tickets with code ROLLTHEDICE.