Guys & Dolls Cappies Reviews
Lady luck smiles on Costa Mesa
By DASHA SLEPENKINA, For the Orange County Regsiter
Love is as dependant on luck as any other game. This is evident when chance leads two pairs of lovers together in Costa Mesa High School’s production of “Guys and Dolls”.
Nicknamed a ‘Musical Fable of Broadway’, this production follows the unlikely stories of two gamblers and their comically difficult love lives. In this Tony-winning musical, two crap game bosses, Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson, win something more than a game of dice, and realize what a tough doll luck can be.
The cast maintained a high level of energy. Moments like the opening displayed the ensemble’s commitment. Each character was well developed and memorable, such as the bootlegging ‘mother’, the robber, and the glamorous divas of New York nightlife. Various ensembles, such as the Save-a-Soul group, Adelaide’s dancers, and the crap shooters raised the energy of the show with each entrance.
Eric Ronquillo embodied the role of Sky Masterson wonderfully, with class and vulnerability. His suave voice made his vocal performances seem effortless and emphasized his acting in numbers such as “Luck be a Lady”. His relationship with Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczyk) was believable, and the physical contact between the two characters, especially in “I’ve Never Felt Like This Before” was natural.
Hannah JeyaRajah stole the show as the beautiful, ditzy Miss Adelaide. Her vocalization and character quirks, especially in “Bushel and a Peck”, when she would squeal on the high notes, made her performance comical and unique. JeyaRajah worked remarkably well with James Stucker, who portrayed the equally endearing Nathan Detroit, a tough-guy boss with a soft spot for his sweetheart, whom he is nevertheless too afraid to marry. Both of the actors maintained heavy accents and comical impersonations of their characters. In moments such as "Adelaide’s Lament" or the fight between her and Detroit in “Sue Me”, where Stucker literally begs for JeyaRajah’s love on his knees, the energy of the show as well as the believability of the characters was incredible.
The technical team was impressive in working quickly during the many set changes, during which actors would perform brief comedic acts on the apron. With the exception of a few missed cues on spotlights, the technical aspects of the show were smooth.
Luck may have been Costa Mesa’s lady that night, but the amount of work and commitment invested by the actors cannot be ignored. Each guy and doll worked together to create a fun-filled performance.
Guys only shine alongside their dolls at Costa Mesa
By VINNY TANGHERLINI, For the Orange County Register
A guy isn’t a guy without his doll. Costa Mesa’s production of “Guys and Dolls” shows how every tough guy has a soft spot in his heart for the woman he loves.
Frantic to find a place to hold his illegal crap game, Nathan Detroit (James Stucker) bets the “high-rolling” Sky Masterson one thousand dollars that Masterson could not take the local missionary, Sarah Brown, on a date. Soon, Sky finds himself falling for Sarah and decides to change his ways to demonstrate his love for her.
Eric Ronquillo commands the stage as Sky Masterson. His proud stance and lofty yet classy air give his character body and life. Swaggering slowly about the stage, hands in pockets, half smiling, Ronquillo’s debonair style embodies the typical “high roller.” His voice, calm, clear, and rich, adds to his well-rounded character. Also, in songs such as “I’ve Never Been in Love Before”, Ronquillo proves his mastery of both the upper and lower ranges. In “Luck Be a Lady,” his dominant stage presence and commanding voice shines as he belts notes to the surrounding Crapshooters. Ronquillo’s powerful voice and suave attitude anchor the show.
Hannah JeyaRajah as Miss Adelaide, Detroit’s fiancée of fourteen years, perfectly personifies her over-the-top character. Her nasally, squeaky, New Yorker accent provides humor and strength to her character while her exaggerated flailing arms and swaying hips scurry across the stage and never cease to entertain. Whether weeping for the want of marriage, as in “Adelaide’s Lament,” or furious at the behavior of her fiancée, as in “Sue Me,” JeyaRajah’s larger-than-life emotions are hilarious.
Lucy Rybarczyk plays the uptight, over-zealous Sarah. Her potent emotions, especially throes of sadness, are honest. Whether crying real tears, gripping on a table for support, gazing off in a daze, or holding herself tightly, Rybarczyk displays the many faces of love. Also, in the song “If I Were a Bell,” she lets loose, acting drunk, and becomes a new coquettish, passionate character.
Stage Crew (Carrise Ahern) performs all scene changes with efficiency and accuracy. With little-to-no error, Ahern keeps the show moving quickly despite the many scene changes.
With gangsters, missionaries, and showgirls, Costa Mesa’s “Guys and Dolls” reminds us how far a guy will go for his doll.
The energy and excitement of The City That Never Sleeps has been captured on stage for decades, and Costa Mesa High School proves that after nearly sixty years since its debut on Broadway, “Guys and Dolls” has not lost a glint of its original fire.
An illegal floating game of craps has been going on in New Your City for some time now and has managed to stay under the radar. The notorious leader of this club, Nathan Detroit (James Stucker) soon faces a major dilemma as he finds that only one venue willing to host his next game is demanding that he pay one thousand dollars. Sky Masterson (Eric Ronquillo), the providential hot-shot around, agrees to a wager he cannot decline, and winds up falling for Save-a-Soul missionary Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczyk) in the midst of it.
Showing off his impressive vocals and playing the role of a bad boy gone good does not seem to come as a difficult feat for Eric Ronquillo who, as Sky Masterson, sweeps Sarah Brown off her feet with style, ease and believability. A character on the completely opposite end of the spectrum is the eccentric, animated Miss Adelaide, played by Hannah JeyaRajah. Whenever she steps on stage, her high energy is reverberated throughout the rest of the cast and the audience. With JeyaRajah’s vocal quirks while singing “Bushel and a Peck,” domineering behavior and overall idiosyncratic being, one is sure to be entertained up to her very last shrill note.
Never missing a cue is stage manager Carrise Ahern, who guides the technical crew throughout the show. Each of the numerous scene changes are executed quickly and flawlessly, surprising the audience with an entirely new location with the blink of an eye. The sets for, though minimal, convey a distinct sense of each different setting. The props also provide a feeling being wherever the show takes you, from the hustle and bustle of New York City to the vivacious, tropical Havana, Cuba.
Costa Mesa High School does a tremendous job depicting every reason as to why this show is a timeless classic, with both acting and technical aspects working together in remarkable harmony. The developing romance between Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown as portrayed by these young actors truly exemplifies how love is very much similar to the game of craps, in that it can prove to be a gamble itself.
by Susanna Duvalis of Mission Viejo
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Dice going one way, dolls going the other and confused guys lost at which way to go, Costa Mesa High School's Drama Department paid tribute to the lost souls of the city’s in their production of “Guys And Dolls.”
In New York City it is illegal for people to roll craps, but this doesn’t stop Nathan Detroit, (James Stucker) from trying to do whatever he can to set up a game, but he needs $1,000.00 to have a game. He has to hide this from his fiancé of 14 years, Miss Adelaide. Sky Masterston, (Eric Ronquillo) is one of the best gamblers in the world and he is town. Nathan bets Sky that he can’t convince a local missionary woman to go to Havana. Sky takes this bet and wins, but in the process he falls in love with the missionary, Sarah Brown, and she falls for him right back. Sarah’s mission is about to be so Sky plays a game a craps and wins, but instead of money from the men who lost he makes them go to Sarah’s meeting. He won and the mission was saved, Nathan married Adelaide FINALLY, and Sky married Sarah.
Sky Masterson is beautifully well rounded and completely believable. Nathan Detroit plays an in love gambler, with perfect convictions. Adelaide, (Hannah JeyaRajah) has so much energy, every time she walks on stage the whole cast feeds off of her, she also never made me think she was anything but a Hot Box dancer from NY. Sarah Brown, (Lucy Rybarczyk) is able to shift without flaw from a perfect missionary to a drunken party woman of Havana.
All together this ensemble works perfectly together. They are at any point in the show completely enthralled in the story and the characters. Never once were they caught looking board.
The style of having a scene in front of the curtain for scene changes is a brilliant way to not break the fourth wall. Also almost all the props and cues, done by Carrise Ahern, are very time period and not distracting.
With men finally committing to their loves, and women trying to kill their men’s need to gamble, Costa Mesa High School Drama Department put on a mind boggling rendition of Damon Runyon’s “Guys And Dolls.”
by Cassandra Scott of Irvine
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What do you get when you mix together a bunch of gamblers and their dolls? You get CMHS Drama’s production of Guys and Dolls.
Guys and Dolls is the story of Sky Masterson (Eric Ronquillo) who makes a bet with Nathan Detroit (James Stucker) that he will not be able to take Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczyk) to Havana. In addition to that Nathan Detroit has a girlfriend Miss Adelaide who is always asking to marry Nathan.
Adelaide always made good strong character choices; she also embodied her character very well. She did a good job of keeping her accent consistent. Whenever she was on stage she would always raise the energy level of her fellow actors. Adelaide and Nathan’s relationship was very believable.
Some characters are not as committed to their character not making strong choices.
Sky was very comfortable on stage and mastered the believability, his voice is strong in both is lover and upper register.
Throughout the show the orchestra put in a good effort but the passion and drive was lacking.
Sit down your rocking the boat is one of the best songs in the show the whole cast had high energy and stayed with the action on stage.
CMHS production of Guys and Dolls will stay in the heart of everyone who sees it like the internal flame of love that burned in the lover’s heart
by Max Black of Irvine
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With gambling, missionaries, and engagements that last fourteen years, Costa Mesa's production of Guys and Dolls is daringly droll and delightfully darling at every moment.
Set in New York City, Guys and Dolls is the story of Sky Masterson (Eric Ronquillo), a high rolling gambler, who bets Nathan Detroit(James Stucker)1000 dollars that he can take Sergeant Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczyk), a missionary of the Save the Soul Mission, on a date to Havanna, Cuba. Nathan Detroit, on the other hand, needs to find a location for his floating dice game while his fiancee of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide (Hannah JeyaRajah), continues to nag him about getting married.
Eric Ronquillo's flawless New York accent, beautiful voice, and ease on stage create an enjoyable and consistently believable character.
Hannah JeyaRajah's total commitment to character gets her many laughs. Her constant energy enthralls the audience whenever she is onstage. James Stucker's use of his fabulous gymnastic skills and his believability add to his authentic character. JeyaRajah and Stucker's remarkable chemistry make for an amusing and endearing relationship. During "Sue Me" their steady energy and comedic ability make for a hilarious scene.
Nicely-Nicely (Joey Dinh), Rusty Charlie (Levy Luong), and Benny Southstreet (Kory Bennion)are three gamblers who help Nathan with his dice game. Dinh, Luong, and Bennion have tangible camaraderie onstage and strong voices; Dinh's eating adds to his character and makes for funny bits throughout the show.
At the beginning, the show lacks energy but the cast quickly picks up the pace and their vivacity and vocal strength more than make up for the slow opening.
The stage crew, run by Carrise Ahern, is efficient in their smooth and quick scene transitions.
Costa Mesa's rendition of the Broadway classic, Guys and Dolls, captures the audience's heart and keeps them rolling with laughter in their seats.
by Elizabeth Bluth of La Habra
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Successfully performed by Costa Mesa High School was "Guys and Dolls" by Frank Loesser. This classic, set in the fifties, tells the story of a group of dice-rolling guys who will do anything and go anywhere to play a game of craps, all the while attempting to mainain an un-married relaionship with their "dolls."
Eric Ronquillo, playing the infamous Sky Masterson, holds true to his rebelious character that never agrees to a bet unless he is positive he will win. With impressive vocals and a truthful, well-maintained New York accent, Ronquillo produces flawless line delivery and undoubtedly causes the audience to forget they are watching a live show.
One of Nathan Detroit's right-hand men, Nicely-Nicely, played by Joey Dinh, never fails to bring a comedic air to the stage with his constant eating and happy demeanor. Both actors complete their characters with impressive vocal skills.
Stealing the show with a squeaky New York accent and outstanding comedic timing is Hannah JeyaRajah, playing the "Hot Box" dancer, Miss Adelaide. Though at times the accent falters while singing, JeyaRajah creates an energetic and character that is sure to heighten the energy and make every audience member smile whenever she steps foot on the stage.
Though at times cues are off or microphones produce feedback, the cast never fails to produce volume, especially during the high-energy ensemble numbers.
by Jaclyn Stickel of La Habra
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The curtain goes up and the audience is greeted with the hustle and bustle of New York City, complete with gamblers, missionaries and dancers. This is only the beginning of Costa Mesa High School's energized and entertaining performance of Guys and Dolls.
Gambling is all the rage and Nathan Detroit needs 1,000 dollars fast. He makes a bet with Sky Masterson, who never turns down a bet, that if Sky can't take Sarah Brown, the leader of the Save-A-Soul Mission, to Havana with him, he'll give Nathan the 1,000 dollars. What ensues is a touching and hilarious tale about people who may not be right for each other but are in love anyway.
Sky Masterson (Eric Ronquillo)has full commitment to character and is very believable. Ronquillo's vocals are solid and his acting enjoyable. He gives a standout performance in "Luck be a Lady."
Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczyk) nicely strays from her prim exterior and seems to be an authentic drunk in her amusing song "If I Were a Bell."
Nathan Detroit (James Stucker) and Miss Adelaide (Hannah JeyaRajah) work wonderfully together as fiancees of fourteen years. Their hilarious but oddly endearing relationship is exemplified in their duet, "Sue Me." JeyaRajah is full of energy with a strong dedication to her character as well as a powerful singing voice as demonstrated in "Bushel and a Peck." Stucker is highly genuine in his performance.
Nicely-Nicely (Joey Dinh), Rusty Charlie (Levy Luong) and Benny Southstreet (Kory Bennion) are a comical trio of gamblers throughout the show.
The cast overall has good comedic timing which contributes to the quality of the show. They remain energized through the entire performance and show just how much energy they have in "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat." Despite a lack of breath control in some of the character's singing, the cast is fun to watch delivers an honest portrayal of their characters.
Although there are some technical difficulties in the show, the crew, headed by Carrise Ahern, provide a smooth show with speedy scene transitions.
Costa Mesa High School's, Guys and Dolls leaves the audience satisfied as they find out exactly what a guy is willing to do for a doll.
by Cameron Hope of Northwood
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Let's go back to 1950's New York, where craps was the game and it was a must for a guy to have a doll on his arm. That's where Costa Mesa's production of "Guys and Dolls" starts off. The cops are constantly on to a group of men for playing craps illegally. The men are always getting into bets based on their addiction to the game. Unable to resist, Nathan Detroit (James Stucker) bets Sky Masterson (Eric Ronquillo) that he won't be able to convince a girl to go with him to Cuba with him for one day. Quick to take on the challenge, Sky picks an unsuspecting missionary, Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczyk) from the Save-A-Soul Mission. In order to convince Sarah, Sky tells her that he'll bring twelve souls for her to save at the expense of spending a night in Cuba with him. Along the way the two fall for each other, bringing the innocent girl into the sinner's lifestyle of crap players.
The love-hate relationship between Nathan Detroit (Stucker) and his fiance of fourteen years Miss Adelaide (Hannah JeyaRajah) was comedicaly outstanding. Stucker and JeyaRajah captivated the audience with both their physical and verbal comedy. Levy Luong, who played Rusty Charlie, had a stupendous solo in the song 'Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat'. His vocals were very strong and it really help him encompass his character while involving the whole cast. Though the orchestra was not as strong as they could have been, the music was still entertaining and helped set the mood for the entire musical. The props were kept simplistic, putting more emphasis on the actors rather than fancy props. Ronquillo really embraced his character, Sky Masterson, who was smooth and easygoing, which was what he was able to portray onstage to the audience.
The musical did not disappoint, as it entertained from beginning to end. The transitions helped keep the musical moving along smoothly, while providing some extra laughter. Costa Mesa's production delivers, provoking the perfect amount of laughter and joy anyone would expect from this musical.
by Emily McBride of Northwood
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Dancing showgirls, singing gamblers, and reformed gangsters light up the stage in Costa Mesa High School’s recent production of “Guys and Dolls,” a must-see for all those that dream of the glamour and thrill of New York City in the mid-20th century.
“Guys and Dolls” illustrates the unlikely love story of a cool and capricious gambler, Sky Masterson, played by Eric Ronquillo, and a stubbornly innocent missionary doll Sarah Brown, played by Lucy Rybarczyk. Their journey is surrounded by the intrigue of crapshooters, the exotic excitement of Cuba, and the drama of struggling romance. “Guys and Dolls” originally opened on Broadway in 1950 and has continued to excite audiences as a classic since then, even winning the Tony Award for Best Musical.
Costa Mesa High School’s production maintained high energy throughout the performance, bringing enough charisma to match the upbeat dance and musical numbers of a bustling New York scene. The transitions between scenes took place in front of the curtain, keeping the audience involved despite some slow scene changes.
The production was also a success due to the commitment of several of the lead performers. Eric Ronquillo, who played Sky Masterson, demonstrated great talent, embodying his character through his voice and subtle body language to age himself into a mature and confident New York gambler. Lucy Rybarczyk’s Sarah Brown was quiet and collected when she needed to be, yet uproariously fun when she opened up during her intoxicated glow following the Cuba adventures in the song, “If I Were A Bell.” The hilariously spirited showgirl, Miss Adelaide, was played by Hannah JeyaRajah, who committed fully to her role and carried tremendously high energy throughout the entire show, especially in fun and upbeat numbers like “Bushel and a Peck” and “Adelaide’s Lament.”
The chemistry between Miss Adelaide (JeyaRajah) and her gambling boyfriend Nathan Detroit, played by James Stucker, was effortless, and their side-splitting number, “Sue Me” was definitely a highlight of the show. Both flawlessly executed the unique and often hilarious dynamic between two people who, despite being in love, sometimes cannot stand each other. Stucker’s portrayal of Nathan Detroit was also very strong, and his characterization of the stereotypical “little guy” was amusingly honest and had the audience sympathizing with his every frustration. The gambling trio of Nicely-Nicely (Joey Dinh), Rusty Charlie (Levy Luong), and Benny Southstreet (Kory Bennion) performed well as a unit and established a very natural and realistic friendship. Throughout the performance, the entire ensemble gave everything they had to entertaining the audience, creating a tangible excitement and energy in big numbers like “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “Luck Be a Lady.”
Costa Mesa High School’s production of “Guys and Dolls” was lighthearted and comical, and despite pitch problems with the orchestra and some singers, the performers were skillfully adept at letting their characters jump off the stage and share an evening of love and excitement, New York style, with the audience.
by Samantha Hagemeyer of Northwood
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An illegal craps game in the middle of a stage usually wouldn't be tolerated but that was just the opposite at Costa Mesa High School that put on their rendition of Guys and Dolls. Guys and Dolls takes place in 1950s New York and centers around illegal gamblers and the women in their lives.
The cast of Guys and Dolls worked well as an ensemble together from their harmonies to their reactions. An ensemble that really showed this was the Trio of bumbling crapshooters played by Joey Dinh as Nicely-Nicely, Levy Luong as Rusty Charlie, and Kory Bennion as Benny Southstreet. James Stucker who played Nathan Detroit and had excellent chemistry with Hannah JeyaRajah who played Miss Adelaide, This couple did an excellent job portraying an actual couple with its ups, downs, ins, and outs. Eric Ronquillo who played the infamous sky Masterson did an outstanding job, His New York dialect was very well done, his relationship with other characters really shined through.
The musical numbers in the show were performed very well and two numbers that stood out were "Luck be a Lady" performed by Eric Ronquillo and the crapshooters the performance was very harmonious and was built up to the climax of the song. The other song was "Sit down, You're rockin' the Boat" which was full of so much energy and enjoyment you could see it in the audience and in the cast.
There was a live orchestra playing during the show and even though there were some awkward moments here and there they still managed to make it an excellent performance.
Altogether Guys and Dolls was a delight and full of positive energy throughout the play. After watching the show you wish you were in the 1950s with your guy or with your doll shooting some craps and singing the night away.
by Bill Minor of Pacifica
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Caught in the alluring trap of crapshooting and betting, “sinners” Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit attempt to live double lives, one with their guilty pastime, gambling, and the other, a clean life for their “dolls.” Soon, both Sky and Nathan’s lives become a struggle to balance both pieces in Costa Mesa High School’s lively production of “Guys and Dolls.”
Eric Ronquillo captures gambling mogul Sky Masterson’s charismatic disposition through copious scenes of thoughtful voice and winsome humor. Ronquillo emanates confidence in voice and step as he attempts to win a difficult bet, winning the heart of Sarah Brown, being portrayed by Lucy Rybarczyk. Suspense mounts as Ronquillo’s expressive, adept voice completes “Luck be a Lady,” and the dice roll through a crowd of cheering gamblers.
Following a similar plot, gambler Nathan Detroit combats the bullying power of powerful gangsters and the overbearing grip of his fourteen-year fiancée, Miss Adelaide. James Stucker as Nathan Detroit utilizes his slight figure to enhance Detroit’s imminent resignation to those more powerful than himself, including the moment he stands starry-eyed and pale-faced in front of his fiancée with a minister before him.
With every gangster comes a posse, this time inclusive of three blundering, yet amiable gentlemen eager for gambling “action.” Joey Dinh, Levy Luong, and Kory Bennion, as Nicely-Nicely, Rusty Charlie, and Benny Southstreet complete this jocular ensemble with aberrant antics. Each delivers his character with complete abandon, exemplified specifically by Luong during “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” as he leaps from tabletops and raises his voice to match the energy of the other cast members.
Hannah JeyaRajah portrays the whimsical and capricious Miss Adelaide, jilted out of marriage for fourteen years. JeyaRajah’s quirky, strident voice and flamboyant movements perfectly portray Adelaide’s eccentric personality in happiness and in sadness, such as in the number "Sue Me."
Altogether, the cast maintained the vocal ability to perform many of the exuberant, lively songs that accompany the production. The energy the performers draw from the music seems to be contagious to the audience, drawing laughter and smiles from many audience members.
The talent of the cast overshadows any technical problems that occur throughout the show, proving the versatility and adaptability of the performers.
Costa Mesa High School’s performance, filled with gangsters and gamblers, women and “dolls,” humor and playful music, reminds us all that we may not have to be simply “Guys and Dolls” forever.
by Brianna Manes of Pacifica
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Costa Mesa's performance of 'Guys and Dolls' tells the story of the love between Miss Adelaide and Nathan Detroit and Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson during the 1950's. Adelaide and Nathan, played by Hannah JeyaRajah and James Stucker respectively, suffer from a fourteen year engagement and struggle with commitment and prioritizing their love, while Sarah, Lucy Rybarczyk, and Sky, Eric Ronquillo, must come to terms on their different styles of life.
Hannah JeyaRajah deserves praise for her exceptional performance as a blond and energetic Hot Box Girl. She maintained a high level of stage presence that instantly was noticeable the moment she would go on stage, and utilized her vocals and heavy accent to over-accentuate her character's personality, an action that perfectly fits the attitude of Miss Adelaide.
The actor who portrayed Sky Masterson, Eric Ronquillo, made excellent use of his posture and facial expressions to convey the emotions of the character. Coupled with his well rounded and unwavering vocals in both high and low notes, Eric Ronquillo delivered a stunning performance. The chemistry he displayed with fellow actress Lucy Rybarczyk, who also illustrated her character's emotions amazingly, helped the audience relate to their onstage relationship.
The transitions from the various scenes were entertaining and allowed for the audience to keep actively attentive during the production. A particularly amusing scene changed occurred during the flight to and from Havana, Cuba, in which a short tap dance was performed across the stage, symbolizing the airplane flight.
A noteworthy ensemble was the Gambling Trio, consisting of Nicely-Nicely, Rusty Charlie, and Benny Southstreet, each played by Joey Dinh, Levy Luong, and Kory Bennion, respectively. They all acted in unison, adding a wonderful sense of humor to the musical in a Three Stooges-like manner. Joey Dinh made good use of his props, more specifically food, to portray a character who was always enjoying some sort of snack, of which always seemed to interfere with speech onstage, adding to the humor of many of the situations.
by Carolyn Powell of Pacifica
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The curtains are drawn back to reveal the busy, bustling of New York City. A thief, a frenzied group of tourists, and a fake baby carriage loaded with liquor sets the stage for a musical filled with heartbreak and laughter. “Guys and Dolls”, the classical Broadway musical performed by the Costa Mesa High School Drama Department has begun, as we travel back to the 50’s for an experience of a lifetime.
This musical begins with a man named Nathan Detroit who organizes illegal Crapgames at different locations throughout NYC. A fourteen year old engagement and he has yet to marry his fiancée, Miss Adelaide. In the midst of all of this the infamous Sky Masterson comes to town. Desperate for money to rent a spot for their “game”, Nathan bets Sky he can’t take the Mission Doll, Sarah Brown, to Havana. The plot gets twisted and contorted has hearts get crushed and the truth is revealed as the plot reaches a breaking point.
This musical is tied together beautifully as Hannah JeyaRajah, who plays the part of Miss Adelaide, takes the stage. Hannah does an exceptional job as she portrays a commitment and confidence to her character that is hard to come by. Her New York accent and squeaky voice impressively remains consistent. Lucy Rybarczyk plays the innocent Mission Doll, Sarah Brown. The phrase, “let your hair down”, doesn’t quite cover this young lady as Lucy’s soft, sweet voice, yet rather boisterous behavior is a transition that is executed to the fullest extent. Eric Ronquillo, AKA Sky Masterson, also comes to the stage braving all with a voice that is successful both in the upper and lower register. His “bad boy” nonchalant attitude quickly evaporates as he falls in love with a Mission Doll. Eric’s warm, vibrato voice is enough to steal anyone’s heart.
Finally, Carrise Ahern who was in charge of props incorporated them in an excellent manner as it flowed seamlessly at different scenes. From the dice during the gambling, to the payphone that was constantly used, these all generated a NYC feel and presence that is pulled off wonderfully.
“Guys and Dolls”, is an admirable performance as couples are reunited, problems are solved, and the musical comes to a close. Costa Mesa High School Drama Department should be proud to have incorporated classic songs and making it their own. After all, what’s life without a little risk?
by Kyle Weik of Pacifica
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Given that the Broadway show, Guys and Dolls, is all about gambling, the audience places a safe bet when deciding to see it performed by Costa Mesa High School.
Guys and Dolls opened on Broadway in 1950 and ran for 1,200 performances. The story, set in New York City in the mid 20th Century, is about one gambling gangster who has been engaged for 14 years and secretly wants to find a place to gamble, and a second gambler who falls in love with a missionary girl. In the end, all the gamblers have to go to a mission service and the two couples are later married.
Sky Masterson (Eric Ronquillo) who loves shooting dice and making crazy bets, exhibits a very relaxed and natural acting style on stage. Miss Adelaide (Hannah JeyaRajah) is bursting with energy as she sends the audience into hysterical laughter with her impeccable New York accent. Songs like, “Bushel and a Peck” and “Adelaide’s Lament” showcase JeyaRajah's her spot-on vocals. Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczyk) passionately plays the role of a reserved missionary girl who unexpectedly falls in love with a gambler. James Stucker (Nathan Detroit) skillfully portrays a gambler that everyone counts on. Nathan is always stressed, and Stucker handles it in a way that adds humor to the show. Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide always have energy bouncing between them and they played off of each other. For example, in the duet,“Sue Me”, they connect with each other and convey their conflicting emotions expertly.
Joey Dinh (Nicely-Nicely) humorously creates a character who always is eating something when he comes onstage. Rusty Charlie (Levy Luong) pumps energy through the theatre and audience as he sings “ Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”.
The all cast vocal ensemble keeps the audience engaged. The very believable stage combat keeps the show real.
Overall, Costa Mesa High School’s enthusiastic performance of Guys and Dolls, takes the risk out of the show.
by Dimitri Ingram of St. Margaret's
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Every “guy” needs his “doll”, gamblers included. In New York City lies both the crap game and the Save A Soul Mission, which cross paths as Sky Masterson pursues a Mission Doll and Nathan Detroit searches for a place to hold his crap game. Action, love, and comedy ensue as Costa Mesa High School performs “Guys and Dolls.”
Eric Ronquillo leads the cast as Sky Masterson, a gambler trying to win the heart of Sarah Brown, a Mission Doll. Ronquillo’s voice has versatility, showing strength in both his upper and lower registers. Ronquillo plays his role with naturalness and sincerity as he believably falls in love with Sarah. Lucy Rybarczyk plays Sarah Brown with sweetness and stubbornness. Rybarczyk especially shines in the Havana scene, where Sarah finally loosens up after having a few drinks.
Hannah JeyaRajah plays Miss Adelaide with commitment and confidence. Her presence onstage lifts the energy with her consistent New York accent and twisting strut. JeyaRajah’s bubbly character comes through just as much in her songs, such as “Adelaide’s Lament”, where she keeps the audience laughing. Nathan Detroit, played by James Stucker, is a gambler and Adelaide’s fourteen-year fiancé. Stucker portrays the small, quirky gambler with his bigger, controlling doll well as they nuzzle or argue, only to go back to each other. JeyaRajah and Stucker embody genuineness and are a believable couple as they bicker naturally but still show that they are crazy in love with each other.
The trio of gamblers (Dinh, Luong, and Bennion) show vocal power and skill as they each hold their own and blend well in harmonies together.
The ensemble brings energy to the stage and each individual is invested in the scene, such as the gamblers in “Luck Be A Lady”, where the suspense of the upcoming dice roll builds throughout the song. Some singers have breath control issues leading to a weaker sound, but the cast overcomes this with high energy and commitment.
Stage Crew, led by Carrise Ahern, transitions well from scene to scene but many cues are late, such as the spotlight, which distracts from the scene. The Costa Mesa Orchestra takes on a challenge but often falls short as notes are wrong or played at the wrong time.
Costa Mesa High School performs “Guys and Dolls” as an engaging and believable story filled with laughter and touching moments full of love.
by Emma Rice of St. Margaret's
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Costa Mesa High School returns to the forties in its production of the musical comedy "Guys and Dolls." Crooks abound on the streets of New York City despite the fruitless attempts of the Salvation Army to reform their wayward ways until an unlikely couple falls in love.
Despite some issues with breath control, the show's ensemble provides life and vocal strength, particularly in "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" and the suspenseful "Luck Be a Lady." The energy in the opening scene as the entire cast darts across the stage immerses the audience in the city’s bustling streets.
Eric Ronquillo excels as Sky Masterson. Songs like "Luck Be a Lady Tonight" highlight his strong upper and lower range, and Ronquillo’s role of the flirtatious crook is entirely believable because of his ease on stage when courting Sarah.
Hannah JeyaRajah stands out as the spirited Miss Adelaide for her confidence and strong vocals. JeyaRajah's squeaky voice and consistent Brooklyn accent in songs like "Adelaide's Lament" perfectly match her character's fierce personality. Her presence instantly increases the energy of all other actors as in "Marry the Man Today."
James Stucker, portraying the endearing, often-bullied Nathan Detroit, executes an unexpected and impressive gymnastic flip in "Luck Be a Lady Tonight.” Stucker bears JeyaRajah's demands with the weary compliance expected from a fiancé of fourteen years.
Lucy Rybarczyk's (Sarah Brown) shift to drunkenness lends an ease to her otherwise tense, uptight character of the Salvation Army chapter's pious leader. "If I Were a Bell," easily her best vocal song, exhibits this freedom as Rybarczyk stumbles around and flirts with Ronquillo.
Joey Dinh (Nicely-Nicely), Levy Luong (Rusty Charlie), and Kory Bennion (Benny Southstreet) shine as a strong vocal ensemble, particularly during the polyphonic "Fugue for Tinhorns” while also demonstrating their singing and acting talents individually. Dinh's hilarious eating provokes a constant stream of laughter, and Luong maintains his high energy in "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" despite technical issues.
Summersky Rudas creates a memorable role as one of the Mission Girls as she tenderly assists the elderly Arvide Abernathy (Jon Lindfors), while Hayley Smith stands out for her enthusiastic dancing as a Hot Box Girl. Stage manager Carrise Ahern ensures that the audience remains engaged in the story with scene changes also set in New York City.
Costa Mesa High School presents an enjoyable and hilarious production of the classic "Guys and Dolls.”
by Rebecca Miller of St. Margaret's
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Broadway, New York—some may consider it a den of sin, the home of uncouth men in loud suits and their sultry “dolls”. To others it is a gambler’s paradise, a place where there is always action to be found and plenty of big losers to bag their pocket books. At Thursday’s performance of “Guys and Dolls” at Costa Mesa High School, Broadway was not only these, but also the site for delightful songs, memorable characters and commendable vocal performance.
Leading an ensemble of larger-than-life gamblers, Eric Ronquillo plays Sky Masterson, a notorious gambler who embarks on a challenge to win the heart of the cold Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczky). Ronquillo demonstrates considerable vocal skill. “Luck Be a Lady” lets his smooth baritone shine through the excited backing vocals of the large ensemble and allows the focal point to remain on him, while allowing the ensemble shine as well. Additionally, his performance with Ms. Rybarczky in “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” showcases Ronquillo’s ability to maintain his comfort on stage while switching between his middle and higher ranges.
Portraying the lovable Miss Adelaide is Hannah JeyaRajah. The long-time fiancé, but never quite wife of a chronic gambler, Adelaide is a truly comedic character. JeyaRajah does Adelaide ample justice, adding squealing vocal accents to songs like “Bushel and a Peck” that run perfectly in line with her frivolous, gullible personality. Ms. JeyaRajah’s commitment to her role is strong and consistent throughout the show, retaining her thick New York accent even while singing challenging songs like “Adelaide’s Lament”, which allows the audience to enjoy her outrageous character in full.
A trio of loveable gamblers, Nicely-Nicely, Benny Southstreet and Rusty Charlie stand out of the crowd due not only to their larger portion of dialogue, but their impressive vocal and comedic performances. Portraying the gamblers are Joey Dinh, Kory Bennion and Levy Luong. The trio manages their challenging three-part harmony well in “Fugue for Tinhorns” and “Guys and Dolls”, allowing each individual part to show, but never drowning out another member of the trio. Indeed, the trio functions as strongly as an ensemble as they do on their own.
In short, Costa Mesa High School’s presentation of “Guys and Dolls” was an enjoyable and admirable performance, showcasing the ample comedic and vocal talent of the players in the school’s theater program.
by Taylor Bayles of St. Margaret's
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Thieves just trying to earn a living, men just trying to shoot crap and girls just trying to get married; the chaotic murmur of every day in Costa Mesa High School’s “Guys and Dolls.”
Notorious for his reputation, suave and in control, Sky Masterson (Eric Ronquillo) is the cool kid on the block. Ronquillo doused in white, demands stage presence until that guy, who wants nothing but money that falls soft for a doll. Melting with love, the once in control guy finds himself using a much softer voice. Fighting for her cause and anything but distracting, Sarah Brown (Lucy Rybarczyk) is the kinda doll who gets mixed up with the wrong guy. Rybarczyk keeps consistent to a high pitched voice and poised stature, but after some liquid confidence melts into a relaxed voice and loose body. The pair that met for a bet, Ronquillo and Rybarczyk’s paralleled characters grow in honesty alongside the dimensions of their roles.
Working in New York for the Hot Box Theatre Miss Adelaide (Hannah JeyaRajah) is the doll who can’t get hitched. After fourteen years of waiting, JeyaRajah’s use of a consistent accent, unmatched confidence and control of her fiance create the doll. Bold, and unafraid JeyaRajah dances on stage in little outfits leading up six other girls. Along side her, Nathan Detroit (James Stucker) is the little guy who sticks his neck out for everyone just to play some crap. Stucker, brimming with tough guy personality, gestures to match the attempt, works with JeyaRajah’s energy to create a highly unlikely and comic duo.
As a whole, the ensemble during the classic “Luck Be A Lady” reach a peak of energy. Full of commitment to their roles, the unison and timing are at it’s strongest.
Careful not to mess with the flow of the show Stage Crew led up by Carrise Ahern works with speed through each scene change to create timely transitions.
Colorful and full of life, the ensemble sometimes wavers in the commitment to dancing, with less energy and off steps.
Full of confidence and energy, this show is constant reminder that although we are committed to what we want, all “Guys and Dolls” end up together at Coasta Mesa High School.
by Carly McNamee of Tesoro
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Costa Mesa High School presents “Guys and Dolls” directed by Kathy Paladino. “Guys and Dolls” is your classic love story. Will the engagement between lovely Miss Adelaide and craps shooting Nathan Detriot last? Or will the high stakes gambler Sky Masterson get the missionary Sarah Brown. Well of course everything works out and both couples get married in the end.
Sky Masterson (Eric Ronquillo) is a very well rounded and whenever he steps onto the stage he brings his great stage presence. Ronquillo wows the audience with his great vocals and acting.
The gambling trio; Nicely-Nicely (Joe Dinh), Rusty Charlie (Levy Luong), and Benny Southstreet (Kory Bennion) are a great ensemble. The trio shows great harmonies when singing together and when they pulling pranks, they have great give and take with each other. Nicely-Nicely has a running joke through-out show of him eating whenever he comes on, Dinh shows great comedic understanding whenever doing this.
“Luck be a Lady” was the show stopping number in the show. The song had some of the strongest vocals through-out the whole show. The dancing between all the men was very good and powerful. This number brings up the whole shows energy because all the actors are having fun in this number and that radiates onto the audience. The song ends with a feeling of suspension right before Sky Masterson throws the dice on the ground.
Miss Adelaide (Hannah JeyaRajah) brings her character to life with coughing, sneezing, and the wonderful New York accent. JeyaRajah brings life to the stage when she comes on. JeyaRajah’s vocal power is another factor as well.
The Stage Manager Carrise Ahern executes the show very well. The scene changes were done quickly and quietly.
Dancing HotBox Girls, gambling Crapshooters, and wondering Missionaries all bring in a powerful message to the audience. Costa Mesa High School presents “Guys and Dolls”
by Cody Lyerly of Tesoro
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Caught up with the back alley gangsters and high-rolling gamblers of New York City, nothing can save a guy from sin quite like his doll.
Costa Mesa High School brilliantly depicts the fast paced world of 1940’s New York City in its production of “Guys and Dolls.” This musical follows gambler Sky Masterson in his pursuit of love with missionary Sarah Brown after he confidently bets that he could get any doll to go out with him.
Lucy Rybarczyk gives a heartfelt performance as Sarah Brown. Rybarczyk demonstrates monumental commitment to her character during “More I Cannot Wish You.” As she intently listens to the lyrics, Rybarczyk breaks into the most honest and heart-wrenching sobs that last well into the following scene. On a lighter note, Rybarczyk exemplifies her superb comedic flair during “If I Were a Bell,” as she drunkenly flings her body about the stage and onto other actors.
Hannah JeyaRajah absolutely shines as Miss Adelaide. JeyaRajah fully develops her hilarious character with great physicality. JeyaRajah shuffles across the stage in tiny steps and shoots the other characters wide-eyed looks of disbelief, keeping the audience in stitches. She also does a commendable job at keeping her biting and squeaky New York accent through the entirety of the show, including when she comically sings “Bushel and a Peck” and “Adelaide’s Lament.”
Hannah JeyaRajah and James Stucker give a notable ensemble performance as long-engaged couple Miss Adelaide and Nathan Detroit. JeyaRajah and Stucker play of each other wonderfully when outrageous Miss Adelaide and reluctant bachelor Nathan begin to fight. JeyaRajah repeatedly and brutally smacks Stucker with a rolled up piece of paper as he desperately tries to evade her by jumping to the floor. Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, these two actors create a realistic couple.
The most striking musical number of the show is “Luck Be a Lady.” Eric Ronquillo’s (Sky Masterson) deep and smooth vocal strength complement the Crapshooter’s group dance extremely well, as they all seem to be gliding across the stage. The energy and wow-factor of this number clearly stem from this passionate male ensemble.
Carrise Ahern’s apt for stage management is demonstrated through the exquisitely efficient scene changes; the stage is dressed for each scene quite quickly.
Costa Mesa High School delivers a comedic and heart-warming performance of “Guys and Dolls,” reminding us of the power of love between a guy and his doll.
by Megan Ganley of Tesoro
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Guys and Dolls, an upbeat, lively musical set in 1950s New York tells the story of a a group of gamblers, the "crapshooters" and the mission girls, or the "dolls" that try to save them from the sin of gambling.
Costa Mesa High School's rendition of this classic musical is a tour-de-force, with strong acting and vocal and dance numbers. Hannah JeyaRajah, playing the blonde, glamorous and slightly ditzy Miss Adelaide shines in her performance as she is able to capture the persona of a 1950s hot box dancer perfectly. Her animated dance numbers, such as "Bushel and a Peck" stand out because of her energy and her honesty when playing her character. Small details that JeyaRajah adds to her character, such as a high squeaky voice, even when singing, make the character believable and all the more enjoyable. Her powerful voice, evident when she sings "Adelaide's Lament," complements her powerful acting and stage presence. The energy and hilarity that she brings to the production is commendable.
James Stucker, playing Miss Adelaide's 14-year fiance portrays a gambler with a good heart with skill. His vocal talents are obvious when he sings "Sue Me" with Adelaide and the commitment he puts into his character creates an out-there, yet very believable and relatable character. Eric Ronquillo, who plays the character of Sky Masterson creates magic on stage with his portrayal of a 1950s gambler. Though his mastery of the New York accent as well his physicalization of Sky, Ronquillo embodies his character with precision. His strong voice adds naturalness to his performance.
The ensemble of the three crapshooters, Nicely Nicely, Rusty and Benny, played by Joey Dinh, Levy Luong and Kory Bennion, respectively adds comedy to the play as the three guys have great comedic timing and work well off of each other's energy. Dinh is hilarious as Nicely Nicely, especially with his running comedic bit involving food. The rest of the ensemble, notably the crapshooters and the hot box girls also maintain the energy level throughout the show and strengthen the vocals in such numbers as "Luck be a Lady."
The scene changes are quick and the stage crew does a commendable job of quickly changing around the set pieces, allowing the show to move at a nice pace.
Overall, Costa Mesa High School's Guys and Dolls is an enjoyable, comedic and heartfelt show with brilliant acting and singing.
by Aishwarya Shukla of University
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