Guys and Dolls

Review By: Carey Purcell
CareyPurcell@TheCinemaSource.com

In this day and age, everyone is scaling back. Expenses are being cut down in any way they can, whether it’s drinking the office coffee instead of going to Starbucks, or holding off on buying that new pair of shoes to put the money in your savings account instead. It’s good advice, what with employment being uncertain and many people unsure of where their next paycheck will come from.

There seems to be one group of people who have not gotten this memo, and they are currently in residence at the Nederlander Theater on Broadway, performing in the big, bright revival of Guys and Dolls . The latest revival of the musical comedy classic personifies the definition of excess in every way, from its over-wrought use of neon lights to the clashing colors of the rainbow-hued suits the company wears, complete with matching fedoras.

Based off of Damon Runyon’s short stories about gamblers in New York and the women they fall in love with, Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows’ musical has set the standard for musical comedy throughout the years. It is ripe with humor, romance and melody, almost certain to entertain any audience. Unfortunately, this production is an exception to that rule.

It’s hard to pinpoint the origin of the flaws in this performance, but one of the main proponents of its flatness is the absolute lack of energy in two of the starring roles. Oliver Platt stars as Nathan Detroit, the bookie for the “oldest established floating craps game in New York,” in a role jam-packed with endearing quirks and idiosyncrasies and a great vehicle for a comedic stage actor. Watching Platt fumble his way through the part is boring, but also frustrating, as he delivers lines that should provoke laughter and even applause in a flat monotone. With his arms held stiffly at his sides, and his eyes staring straight ahead for the majority of the show, Platt appears ill at ease and even a bit afraid of Nathan Detriot. During the song “Sue Me,” when he implores his fiancé not to leave him, he appears more tired than anything else.

One of the many comedic aspects of Nathan Detriot is his 14-year engagement to the wistful stripper, Adelaine, played in this production by Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham. Watching Graham and Platt onstage together, it is hard to imagine the two going on a second date, let alone discussing marriage for 14 years. The two hover awkwardly around each other and when they embrace, it looks like it is out of obligation rather than affection.

And how is Graham as Adelaine, one of the iconic female roles in musical comedy? Well, her legs are nice. That’s about all that can be reported. Oh, and she’s loud. Every moment that Graham is onstage, she seems to be yelling her lines, reciting them with a forced accent that is an obvious imitation of Vivian Blaine, who originated the ...