English students set to perform ‘Guys and Dolls’

LYNN – Boys and girls at Lynn English High School will transform into “Guys and Dolls” next weekend for two productions of the classic 1950’s Frank Loesser musical.The show is directed by Drama Director Larry Lowe and assisted by English alum Ron Comeau. Lowe has been directing students at English through an assortment of productions for more than 20 years.”This is the first musical we have done in four years and when it came down to choosing a production, this seemed to be the one the kids wanted,” said Lowe. “It’s a quintessential American musical from the Golden Age and has some great humor and character development, which the kids have really gotten into.””Guys and Dolls” will premiere at the English auditorium on Friday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. and for a second show on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m.The production features a cast of approximately 45 English students, including a mixture of first-time performers and veteran Drama Club students, according to Lowe.”We have quite a diverse cast and some newcomers this year,” he said.”A few years back, the cast of our productions became very representative of the school population and I’m very happy about that,” he said. “Students of all different cultures, races and backgrounds are involved in this year’s show.”The musical fable of Broadway is based on characters and stories written by Damon Runyon, with a local cast headed by junior Brittany Sullivan in the role of Sarah Brown of the “Save A Soul Mission.””Sarah is a very conservative girl,” said Sullivan. “A gambler (Sky Masterson) ends up falling in love with her after a series of events. I don’t want to give anything away, but things go unexpectedly for Sarah.”Sullivan says despite the difficult task of memorizing lines, rehearsals are a judgment-free zone.”The cast and crew is my other family,” she said. “If someone messes up or forgets a line, everyone always helps you out.”Senior Cameron Hinkle plays the musical’s high-stakes gambler known as Sky Masterson.”Sky loves money and doesn’t expect to fall in love with a mission doll,” said Hinkle.He has been involved in the Drama Club since his freshman year. He recently applied to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles.”I’d love to be an actor someday,” said Hinkle. “I have a passion for stepping into someone else’s shoes and effectively portraying their character.”Nathan Detroit of “Guys and Dolls” runs the local crap game for anyone wishing to gamble. Senior Tony Tran portrays Detroit. “Nathan is a very sly character,” said Tran. “He is juggling his patiently waiting fiancée of 14 years (Miss Adelaide) and his love for gambling, which tends to get in the way of his relationship.” Tran says his favorite part of this production is being able to sing and dance.”I love performing and entertaining people,” said Tran. “Hearing the audience clap at the end of the show is the best feeling I’ve ever experienced.”Detroit’s love interest is Miss Adelaide; a dancer at the Hot Box, a local New York nightclub.Junior Alyssa Bartholomew portrays Miss Adelaide.”Miss Adelaide is highly energetic and bubbly,” said Bartholomew, who has been acting in productions since the fifth grade.Her exceptional singing voice is masked by her calm demeanor, it’s obvious why Bartholomew was offered one of the leads.”Aside from singing, dancing and performing, I love the atmosphere of being involved in productions,” she said. “This is my home-away-from home.”The show also features two faculty members, history teacher Bill McGuinness, who plays a small role as the announcer at the Hot Box, and math teacher Paul Mailloux, who portrays Big Jule, a gambler from Chicago.Mailloux, a Lynn English graduate, is no stranger to the stage. “When I was a senior, I was in ‘Hello Dolly,’ which was also directed by Larry Lowe,” said Mailloux. “We go way back. (Lowe) asked me to be a part of this production and I thought it would be a fun time.”Mailloux’s boisterous personality on and off the stage makes him a live