Belmont Man Stars in "Guys and Dolls"

[Editor's Note: The following information was provided by Ron Bottini of the South Bay Musical Theatre.]

“Guys and Dolls,” the Tony Award-winning musical about gambling men and the women who long to tame them, will close the 49th season of the South Bay Musical Theatre (SBMT) from May 19 to June 9.         

Playing Nathan Detroit is Mark Drumm of Belmont. Drumm returns to the SBMT stage where he recently played Roscoe Arbuckle in “Mack and Mabel” and Franz Liebkin in “The Producers.”  

Performances will be held Fridays and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and Thursday, June 7, at 8 p.m., at the Saratoga Civic Theatre, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. Parking is free.         

With a musical score by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, the 1950 Broadway production won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A 1992 revival won a Tony for Best Revival. The movie version, starring Marlon Brando, Jeanne Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine, had the highest box office gross of 1955.         

The show has had numerous revivals and tours, and has become a popular choice for school and community theatre groups           

The score includes such memorable hit songs as “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”

The production is directed by C. Michael Traw of San Jose.  Also the show’s costume designer, Traw who has directed several SBMT productions since 1970 and has had numerous stage roles with the group. Lucy Haab, the show’s producer, has been affiliated with SBMT for nearly 40 years, and was the producer of the group’s very successful productions of  “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Ragtime.”

Seats for opening night are $42 and include a champagne reception. Tickets for other performances range from $20-$33, with discounts for seniors (65 years or older), students, and children (12 and under).           

A special autism-friendly performance for persons with autism and sensory disorders will be held Thursday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for children 12 and under, and $20 for adults.   

Tickets may be purchased at www.SouthBayMT.com or at the SBMT box office, (408) 266-4734.  All prices listed above are inclusive; there are not additional fees.