Director's Notes
Last spring, I was having dinner with a group of friends and reminiscing about our performances in high school musicals. Some of us did very modern musicals, others did theatre of the absurd, and many of us performed in mostly classical musicals. The one common denominator among us all was that, at some point in high school, we each performed in Guys and Dolls. While we relived our glory days, I thought about bringing this American classic to our own stage, especially since, just one week before, Mary Marcell handed me the score to the play, as the theme of our Rye Country Day Drama and Dance Department 2013-2014 season is “The American Classics.”
Shortly after, on a flight to Seattle, I watched the movie Dick Tracy and was struck by the bright colors and the cartoonish mannerisms of the characters. That was when it all came together, and I knew this would make a great concept for Guys and Dolls and the right choice for our 2013-2014 Student-Faculty Musical.
There are many reasons why every high school in America performs Guys and Dolls. It’s accessible to an audience of all ages; its challenging score and character study allow for students to stretch their comfort zones and reach new levels as artists; it features a large cast; and most importantly, it’s a fun show that will leave a lifetime of memories for students and faculty alike.
As my friends and I sat around the dinner table that night, some 15-20 years after performing Guys and Dolls in high school, I was reminded of how meaningful that experience was for me. My hope is that we can expose a new generation of students to this timeless musical, and that they too can share the joy of this common experience with others.
Thank you to the RCDS Administration, Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff for their unwavering support throughout this process. Jac-que, Mary, Ashley, Dulcie, and Casey: you’re an inspirational dream team, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with you on this fabulous show.
-Jay Gerlach, Director
