Guys & Dolls and loads of fun
Excitement builds as rehearsals get underway for renowned musical
TRURO, N.S. – When Gwenn Firth heard Guys & Dolls was being staged in Truro, she changed her summer plans.
“I wasn’t planning on coming back for the summer until I heard about this,” she said, bubbling with excitement. “This is my favourite musical of all time. I love the time period and the music, and every character is so much fun and different.”
Firth is playing Sarah Brown, one of the leads.
She’s been studying history and English at Acadia University, where she is also president of the dance collective. She has previous experience with Guys & Dolls, playing Rusty Charlie in Bible Hill Junior High’s production of the show.
“I love coming back and seeing friends, and there are many people in this who are new to me, so I get the best of both worlds,” she said.
Greg Jackson, who plays Sky Masterson, also took part in the show at Bible Hill Junior High.
“I played this role then, so this is like an encore,” he said. “Having this opportunity during the summer is awesome. We’re lucky the Truro theatre society is so active.”
Jackson, who just completed his third year studying chemistry at Memorial University, also took part in Cobequid Educational Centre musicals and Shakespeare in the Park. He was Macduff in last summer’s production of Macbeth in Victoria Park.
“It’s always fun to read a script and try to decide why a character is saying something instead of just looking at what they’re saying,” he said.
Dawson Gillis wasn’t familiar with the play until he decided to audition.
The Mount Allison University voice student is playing Nicely Nicely Johnson and is enjoying rehearsals.
“It’s so much fun being able to do a production with many of the people I’ve grown up with,” he said. “I’m singing all the time, so this is a treat.”
Gillis is taking a classical program at university and is a member of a jazz band called Combo Four. He hopes to have a career in music education.
“I didn’t get involved in musicals until I was 14,” he said. “My mother kept after me and finally convinced me, and then I loved it.”
Hubtown Youth Theatre first drew Jared Blois into acting, when he played the headless horseman at the age of 12.
“I was so excited,” he recalled. “The acting bug bit me, and it bit hard.”
Since then he’s been in Onslow Junior High and CEC musicals and Shakespeare in the Park. He’s playing Nathan Detroit in the upcoming show.
“It’s a much different atmosphere than Shakespeare,” he said. “It’s very lively and there’s more room for ad-libbing
“I’ve always been a ham. Theatre is an outlet and it’s social and fun. There’s no downside for me.”
He’s home from Saint Mary’s University, where he’s also involved in theatre, for the summer.
“I haven’t declared a major yet, but I’m interested in anthropology,” he said. “My dream is to be a filmmaker but I’m focusing on getting a degree now.”
Lenore Zann and Ross Thompson are producing the show. Zann played Adelaide in Guys & Dolls when she was in Grade 10 and says it includes some of the best songs in Broadway history.
“This show is going to be great,” added Firth. “I haven’t been in a show that’s been cast better. Everyone fits their part. I think everyone who comes will have a great time.”
Guys & Dolls will be staged at First United Church Hall July 4-6 with shows each evening at 7 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday
Tickets are $15 and are available at MacQuarries Pharmasave, Esplanade location, and at the church office.