Craps-Shooting Lovers

What are the catalysts for a man and woman falling in love? A floating craps game, a sucker bet and a Cuban milkshake, according to Guys and Dolls. Frank Loesser's classic musical draws its inspiration from Damon Runyon's New York, and also from the great musical traditions of complete opposites discovering that their differences draw them together. Nathan Detroit is a gambler who needs to find a home for his high-stakes craps game; he also needs to find a way to continue his fourteen-year-long engagement to Adelaide. Enter Sky Masterson, a good-lookin' sonuvagun who's willing to lay out a grand so the game can take place — but he'll only do this if he loses a wager. A desperate Nathan sets up Sky with an impossible bet: Sky needs to convince the prim and sober missionary, Miss Sarah Brown, to accompany him to wild Havana overnight. Sky agrees, and off we go to a world of dames, mobsters and tough guys who are all natty dressers and great singers. Stages St. Louis presents Guys and Dolls every day except Monday through Sunday, October 4, at the Robert G. Reim Theater (111 South Geyer Road, Kirkwood; 314-821-2407 or www.stagesstlouis.org). Tickets are $15 to $48.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Sept. 4. Continues through Oct. 4, 2009