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Guys and Dolls 2019 block

February 15 – March 3, 2019
Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive

Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Directed by Nick Bowling

This classic romantic comedy comes to life with a modern lens that takes us from the heart of Times Square, to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City and leaves us asking what it really means to be a Guy… or a Doll. Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the cash, and Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown as a result; but Sarah’s never encountered anyone quite like Sky. Jeff Award winner and TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling stages a fresh take on the beloved Broadway fable where mobsters, mayhem, and musical comedy light up the stage.

NICK BOWLING (Director) was the founding Artistic Director of TimeLine Theatre Company in 1997 and is now TimeLine’s Associate Artistic Director and a Company Member. He is the recipient of seven Jeff Awards for Outstanding Direction (THE HISTORY BOYS, THE NORMAL HEART, FIORELLO!, THIS HAPPY BREED and THE CRUCIBLE at TimeLine, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM at Porchlight and ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST at Eclipse Theatre.) He received Jeff Award nominations for BLOOD AND GIFTS, THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION, HAUPTMANN and THE LION IN WINTER at TimeLine; THE KING AND I, CITY OF ANGELS, and MAN OF LA MANCHA at the Marriott; and CLOSER THAN EVER at Porchlight Music Theatre. Other recent credits at TimeLine include THE LAST WIFE,A DISAPPEARING NUMBER, DANNY CASOLARO DIED FOR YOU, JUNO, 33 VARIATIONS and MY KIND OF TOWN. Other Chicago credits include Northwestern University’s CABARET, Porchlight Music Theatre’s A CATERED AFFAIR, Writers Theatre’s BACH AT LEIPZIG, Shattered Globe Theatre’s TIME OF THE CUCKOO and FROZEN ASSETS and Rivendell Theatre’s FACTORY GIRLS, among others. He also directed CABARET at Northwestern University in 2014. He earned a BM degree in Musical Theatre from Catholic University of America and an MFA degree in Theatre. Directing from DePaul University.

FRANK LOESSER (Music, 1910 – 1969) was an American songwriter who wrote the lyrics and music to the Broadway musicals GUYS AND DOLLS and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, among others. He won separate Tony Awards for the music and lyrics in both shows, as well as sharing the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the latter. He also wrote numerous songs for films and Tin Pan Alley, many of which have become standards, and was nominated for five Academy Awards for best song, winning once, for “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”.

ABE BURROWS (Book, 1910 – 1985) was a famous radio humorist, songwriter, singer and pianist, television personality, panelist, playwright, and stage director. Burrows was ever-present on Broadway, directing TWO ON THE AISLE, (1951), THREE WISHES FOR JAMIE (1952), CAN-CAN (1953), and HAPPY HUNTING (1956) and collaborating on the scripts of Make A Wish (1951), SILK STOCKINGS (1955), and SAY, DARLING (1958). He won four Tony Awards®, three for authorship and one for directing, and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING was also awarded a Pulitzer Prize.

JO SWERLING (Book, 1897 – 1964) was one of a number of Jewish refugees from the Tsarist regime. He grew up on New York City’s Lower East Side, where he sold newspapers to help support his family. He worked as a newspaper and magazine writer in the early 1920s, then launched a playwriting career, including STREET CINDERELLA, an early comedy for the Marx Brothers.

Creative Team

Music Director: Sam Grossier
Choreographer: Aubrey Adams
Scenic Designer: Irena Hadzi-Dordevic
Costume Designer: Stephanie Ross
Lighting Designer: Anthony Forchielli
Sound Designer: Stephen Ptacek
Stage Manager: Dana Sussman

Performance Schedule

Friday, February 15 at 7:30PM
Saturday, February 16 at 7:30PM
Sunday, February 17 at 2:00PM
Friday, February 22 at 7:30PM
Saturday, February 23 at 7:30PM
Sunday, February 24 at 2:00PM
Thursday, February 28 at 7:30PM – Post Show Discussion
Friday, March 1 at 7:30PM
Saturday, March 2 at 7:30PM
Sunday, March 3 at 2:00PM

Ticket Pricing

Adult $30
Seniors (62+) $27
Area Educator $27
NU Faculty/Staff/Emeriti $25
Full-Time Student $10
NU Student $6/Adv. $10/Door

The Wirtz Center and this production of “Guys and Dolls” are proud to participate in Chicago Theatre Week with $15 tickets available for select performances: Friday Feb 15, and Sunday Feb 17. Used the code “CTW19” when ordering online, by phone or at the Box Office. Subject to availability and discount is not available at the door. For more information about special offers on more than 100 Chicago productions, visit the Chicago Theatre Week website. Chicago Theatre Week is presented by the League of Chicago Theatres with support from Choose Chicago.

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