Dazzling Broadway Classic to Close Theatre Company's Season

Media Release
27 August, 2015

Dazzling Broadway Classic to Close Auckland Theatre Company's 2015 Season

Gangsters, showgirls and gamblers roll in to Q Theatre from 29 October for the Audi Season of Guys and Dolls

Auckland Theatre Company's 2015 season closes in signature style - with a musical spectacular. The dazzling Broadway classic Guys and Dolls, directed by Raymond Hawthorne and starring Shane Cortese, Sophia Hawthorne, David Aston and Roy Snow, will open at Q Theatre on 29 October.

Raymond Hawthorne (Fallen Angels, Le Sud, Oliver) is one of New Zealand's most highly regarded theatre practitioners and his work, particularly with regular collaborator designer Tracy Grant Lord, is renowned for its style and elegance.

Shane Cortese (Chicago, Shortland Street, Nothing Trivial) stars as Nathan Detroit, a charming gambler seeking the perfect place to set up his illegal craps game. In an attempt to raise the $1,000 needed to bankroll the garage, Nathan bet Sky Masterson (Roy Snow) he won't be able to woo the honourable Sister Sarah Brown (Rachel O'Connell). Detroit is soon at risk of losing it all as Masterson and Brown fall in love.

All the while, Detroit's fiancée of 14 years, Miss Adelaide, played by Sophia Hawthorne (Romeo and Juliet, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cabaret), just wants him to make an honest woman of her.

The Audi Season of Guys and Dolls is the ultimate Broadway classic, full of gambling, gangsters, scandal and all the sass of New York's golden era. The production that the New York Times once called "the show that defines Broadway dazzle" has one of the musical theatre's greatest ever scores including favourites like Luck Be a Lady, Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat and I've Never Been In Love Before.

The masterful lyrics were written by Joe Swerling and comedy legend Abe Burrows, based on two of Damon Runyon's 1940s short stories about the characters of the New York underworld.

Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy - Guys and Dolls premiered in 1950 and originally ran for 1200 performances. The original won five Tony Awards including Best New Musical and was subsequently made into the famous film starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

The ATC production of this vintage masterpiece runs 29 October to 22 November.

ENDS

SEASON INFORMATION

Venue: Q Theatre, 305 Queen Street Auckland
Dates: 29 October to 28 November 2015
Tickets: www.atc.co.nz or (09) 309 0390

CAST

Nathan Detroit: Shane Cortese
Sky Masterson: Roy Snow
Sister Sarah Brown: Rachel O'Connell
Miss Adelaide: Sophia Hawthorne
Nicely-Nicely Johnson: Andrew Grainger
Arvide Abernathy: David Aston
Big Jule: Geoffrey Dolan
Harry the Horse: Wesley Dowdell
Benny Southstreet: Kyle Chuen
Rusty Charlie: Jason Te Mete

CREATIVE TEAM

Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Designer: Tracy Grant Lord

ends

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