Booked & Scene

Guys and Dolls is one of those classic musicals that, in the wrong hands, can feel a little dusty and outdated, but in the hands of director and choreographer Al Blackstone, it’s anything but. Now playing at Ogunquit Playhouse through July 19, this production is bright, joyful, and full of life, bringing gamblers, showgirls, and mission workers to the stage with fresh energy and undeniable charm. The show follows Sky Masterson, who makes a bet he can take straight as an arrow missionary Sarah Brown to Havana, and lovable swindler Nathan Detroit, who always seems to be dodging both the cops and his fiancée of 14 years, Miss Adelaide. Whether you’re a longtime fan or seeing it for the first time, this version will remind you why it’s a favorite odds are it’ll make you fall in love with it all over again.

The Four Stars of the Show: A Full House

Rob McClure’s Nathan Detroit is an absolute delight. Every facial expression, perfectly timed bit, and vocal choice is dialed in and to the surprise of no one the result is pure magic. He’s so much fun to watch I almost didn’t want him to leave the stage. Bianca Marroquín brings her own spin to the iconic Miss Adelaide, nailing her humor, her heart, her sass, and the hot box numbers with ease. Her chemistry with McClure? Off the charts. Ephraim Sykes makes an effortlessly cool Sky Masterson, smooth vocals and all, and when paired with María Bilbao’s Sarah Brown, sparks fly. Their connection builds in such a satisfying way, and María’s journey from buttoned-up missionary to someone open to love is a joy to watch. These four are the heart of the show, and honestly? I miss them already.

A Bushel and a Peck of Talent

Mykal Kilgore as Nicely-Nicely Johnson brings the house down. His comedic instincts are sharp, his duet with Barrett Riggins (“Guys and Dolls”) is fantastic, but “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat”? That number deserves its own award. It was jaw-droppingly good: vocally, visually, everything. The applause didn’t stop.  I mean, he literally stopped the show with the amount of applause he received at the end of the number. I don’t usually say showshopping in the literal sense but this time I do. As Benny Southstreet, Barrett Riggins was another standout for me. Every time he was on stage, I couldn’t help but to watch him: from his reactions, his expressions, his total commitment to the bit, the small choices he made to make Benny his own. He did such a flawless job of going from moments where he should be in the spotlight to those where he steps back to let others have theirs. He was magnetic in every scene. And Heather Parcells? A total scene thief. As both General Cartwright and the drunk woman, she flips from stern to slapstick with absolute mastery. Her flying-the-plane moment had me cackling, and her powerful note in “Sit Down” was perfection. Put her in everything.

Wigs, Whirls, and Wow: The Ensemble Delivers

This ensemble is no joke. The dancing was tight, transitions seamless, and the sheer number of wig changes happening in the background: flawless. I was wildly impressed to see so many different fits and looks, a huge kudos to the backstage team working as a well-oiled machine. Shoutout to Dakota Hoar, who stepped in as Lt. Brannigan the day I attended. I always love an understudy moment. They deserve the world, and Dakota crushed it. Honestly, this show requires a solid ensemble to land. And this one more than delivered, every turn, lift, and roll of the dice was right on target.

The Details That Made the Deal

The scenic and video design by Adam Koch & Steven Royal was clever and effective, with a mix of physical props and screens that allowed for slick location shifts. The way the projections were used felt purposeful and never distracting; they truly some of the best use of screens I’ve seen on stage. Lighting had some hiccups, there were a few moments where actors weren’t fully lit, leaving their emotional beats in shadow. It didn’t ruin anything, but it pulled me out of a few scenes. Scene transitions were hit or miss too. Some moments were handled creatively (the plane to Havana!), while others felt a bit more abrupt or disconnected. A bit more consistency would’ve helped keep the momentum going.

Guys, Dolls, and a Damn Good Time

This production feels like exactly what I want musical theatre to be: joyful, polished, funny, and just a little bit head over heels in love. It honors the original material but makes it feel fresh and relevant. From the vocals to the choreography to the details in the costume design, Guys and Dolls at Ogunquit Playhouse is a total win.

If you need a few hours to escape, laugh, and watch some of the best performers around have a great time on stage then you’ll want to snag a ticket to this craps game. Running through July 19, don’t miss your chance to roll the dice, and don’t even think about suing me if you do! 

📸: Gary Ng & Nile Scott Studios