Hot Springs stage brings 1940s New York City to life
A fabulous cast of 25 beautiful “dolls” and lovable gambling “guys” will take the stage at 6 p. m. June 13 and 3 p. m. June 14 for the Muses Creative Artistry Project’s 2015 summer Broadway production of “Guys and Dolls.” Both performances will take place in the Muses Cultural Arts Center, 428 Orange St.
This hilarious and timeless show depicts a late 1940s New York City and its subculture of gamblers, petty criminals and sassy showgirls, all living together in community with the Save- a- Soul Mission. A gambler ( Sky) is challenged in a bet ( which has the hidden motive of financing a crap game) to take upstanding female missionary Sarah to Havana, and the two end up falling for each other.
The beloved comedy has a toe- tapping musical score that will be performed by world class musicians. New York pianist Gloria Kim will be joined by New Orleans’ own Bobby Campo on trumpet and Steve Suter on trombone, with Little Rock’s Pat Lindsey playing percussion.
A petite musical powerhouse with a generous and joyful spirit, Kim is making her way to Hot Springs for a second time, performing in the 2014 Muses Opera Gala and Honor Dinner fundraiser at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. She has served on the faculty at Montclair State University, Concordia University and New York University, and taught master classes at the University of Texas, University of Missouri-Columbia, and University of Memphis.
A native of Austin, Texas, Kim completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in collaborative piano and coaching at the University of Minnesota, received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in piano performance at The University of Texas. An accomplished violinist, she was an active member of University of Texas and University of Minnesota symphony orchestras.
Suter, a New Orleans native residing in Hot Springs, is a graduate of Loyola University of New Orleans, receiving a Bachelor of Music, and Northwestern University of Chicago, where he earned his Master of Music. Having played with such diverse and varied groups such as the Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Big Band, the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maxim Shostakovich, Bonerama, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Murrow, the Millar Brass Ensemble, and the Al Belletto Big Jazz Band,
it is evident that his expertise crosses all musical genres. In addition to a busy schedule of performing, teaching and writing music, Suter is currently the programs and services counsel for the Muses.
Campo, another native of New Orleans, is a trumpeter, leader and composer. He was also a founding member of La’s LeRoux and has performed and recorded with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Kerry Livgren of Kansas, Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Seranaders, Pete Fountain, The John Mahoney Big Band, Matt Lemmler, Delfeao
Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra and, most recently, Dr. John. He also played in the Baton Rouge Symphony for 19 years.
Lindsey studied music education at University of Arkansas and Henderson State University. He has toured nationally and internationally, leading his own band, “Counterpoint,” for 15 years. He has been percussion instructor for the North Little Rock School District the past 17 years and is the “first- call” drummer/ percussionist for Arkansas Repertory Theater, Murray’s Dinner
Playhouse, and other regional theaters. His favorite shows are, “Next To Normal,” “Les Miserables,” “The Who’s Tommy” and “Memphis the Musical.” He is also a member of the worship team at his church.
These fantastic musicians, together with highly skilled professional performers and talented young artists, will raise the bar of excellence and entertainment, right here in Hot Springs.
Tickets are $ 30 each and are still available. Call 609- 9811 or visit http:// www.themusesproject.org for more information.