by Stephen Hu | May 20, 2026 | Arts & Features, Free Time, Music, Theater
The new production of “Guys and Dolls” at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts literally puts the audience right in the middle of the music and drama. Director Patrick A’Hearn sacrificed a few tables on the main floor to build out a stage that comes out and serves as the sets of the Hot Club, the Save-A-Soul Mission, the streets of New York, and the Havana night club.
“We wanted to create something more immersive with the audience,” said assistant director and choreographer Stephanie Wood. “Almost like they’re a part of the show and they feel like they’re in the different locations… It’s going to be exciting and I think the audience is going to be thoroughly entertained by that.”
The lead roles of Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown are wonderfully acted and sung by Dan Klimko and Sarah Mae Andersen. This is Klimko’s debut in a Riverside show and he possesses a strong voice that carries the memorable songs of American songwriter Frank Loesser. Just as she shined as Maria von Trapp in last year’s production of “The Sound Of Music”, Andersen is brilliant as Sarah Brown. The duet she sings with Klimko, “I’ve Never Been In Love Before”, pairs the two voices perfectly.
“It’s classic, it’s such a beautiful song,” Andersen said. “The band sounds gorgeous, as they always do. It’s a really wonderful moment of truth in the story. It feels like time stops, which is really great.”
“Sarah Brown is fiery and I love that. I think female characters aren’t always like that in older musicals. I love to explore her strength and her strong will. I think she’s so powerful in her life, maybe too powerful for her own good sometimes. She’s a firecracker in a totally different way than Adelaide and I love that.”
Miss Adelaide is played by Kiley Ernest, who maintains a thick Brooklyn accent throughout the show and in her featured songs. Her performance of “Adelaide’s Lament” is charming and funny. Her character is the fiancee of Nathan Detroit, played by Ian Federgreen, and the two provide some fine comic relief, especially in their duet “Sue Me”.
Another notable vocal performance is turned in by Darius J. Manuel as Nicely-Nicely Johnson. His voice on “Guys And Dolls” and “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” is a highlight of the show.
The orchestra pit has been moved behind a screen in back of the stage. Sound board technician Cheyenne Tenda does a masterful job of mixing the balanced instruments with the singers on stage. The dialogue and lyrics are audible and clear.
The choreography in “Guys and Dolls” makes great use of the innovative new stage. The show starts with a bang and drops the audience right into the bustling streets of New York during the overture. The song and dance numbers with the Hot Box Girls give the audience the feel of being at a 1950s nightclub.
Another memorable dance sequence is one set to an instrumental version of “Luck Be A Lady” by the male cast. Wood not only choreographed the show, but also performs as one of the Hot Box Girls.
“I love a challenge and it’s been exciting for me to do something different,” Wood said. “I’m so proud of the performers …and the way they’ve allowed my vision to come to life on stage. Seeing it last night in tech was like Christmas. I’ve been working on this show for months and I’ve been choreographing since January some of these production numbers.To see it on the stage is amazing… It’s the best of both worlds. I get to see my vision come to life on stage and then I get to be a part of it, which is the dream of a dancer.”
The staging, music, and songs transport the audience back to another time and place. It’s hard to leave this show without humming the many familiar songs.
“It drops you into a world that is so specific and so charming and really fun,” Andersen said. “Obviously there’s complexity in the story and in the characters. We’re always searching for that and always striving for that. If I were seeing this as an audience member, it feels spectacular and it feels like I’m able to escape which is a wonderful thing.”
