“Guys and Dolls,” which opened Friday, marks the beginning of a new era for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. It’s the debut production from new artistic director Tamara Kangas Erickson.
Kangas Erickson, of course, isn’t new to CDT. She’s been the resident choreographer for more than two decades and was the obvious choice to take over after longtime president Michael Brindisi died unexpectedly a year ago. And given it’s a particularly dance-heavy show, “Guys and Dolls” fits right into her wheelhouse.
In terms of both visual spectacle and immersive action, “Guys and Dolls” delivers.
With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and the book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, “Guys and Dolls” is based on several Damon Runyon short stories about the intersection of gangsters, gamblers and religious folks on the streets of New York City.
The show was an instant success when it debuted on Broadway in 1950. It ran for more than 1,200 performances and won five Tony Awards, including best musical. It’s since been revived countless times and staged by companies around the world.
Kangas Erickson drew inspiration from the latest revival in London in 2023. Nicholas Hytner set the action on an in-the-round stage, which provided a more immersive and intimate experience for the audience.
Taking full advantage of CDT’s large stage, Kangas Erickson skipped using a fixed set with platforms and instead created mini environments with moving set pieces. She also often pushed the actors toward the front of the stage, which helped amp up the energy from both the cast and the audience.
The cast includes many familiar faces from CDT’s pool of talent, but Kangas Erickson made the bold choice of using new-to-the-company actors in three of the four leads. Whether intentional or not, it felt like a statement that Kangas Erickson plans to honor the past while adding her own fresh ideas to the proceedings.
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Kangas Erickson took on Broadway vet Linda Talcott Lee, an Emmy winner for “The Comedy Hall of Fame with Jason Alexander,” as co-choreographer and the pair have worked wonders. CDT has a well-earned reputation for high-caliber singers and dancers and as far as the latter goes, “Guys and Dolls” boasts some of the biggest and boldest dance sequences in recent memory.
Costume designer Rich Hamson created a dazzling, Technicolor array of outfits, with the many jewel tones highlighted by Sue Ellen Berger’s innovative light design.
“Guys and Dolls” is the sort of show where the actors can go as big as they want and the cast pretty much followed suit to create a hyper-real world filled with big personalities that never get too hammy. The acting is terrific across the board, but Matthew Hall and Ryan London Levin deserve extra kudos for the casual chemistry they display as two second-tier gangsters.
The only real fault in “Guys and Dolls” is the story itself. It’s about as paper-thin as it gets for an old-school Broadway production and it’s full of sexist nonsense that wouldn’t, and shouldn’t, fly today. If you can set aside the sometimes problematic aspects of the plot, “Guys and Dolls” is a must-see feast for the senses.
‘Guys and Dolls’
When: Through Sept. 26
Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen
Tickets: $146.98-$92.54 via 952-934-1525 or chanhassendt.com
Capsule: Tamara Kangas Erickson makes a strong showing as CDT’s new leader.
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