Teens embrace tongue-in-cheek message

Visionary College is throwing the dice with its newest offering of Guys and Dolls, playing tonight and tomorrow at the Edmonton Public Library.

The Frank Loesser musical about gamblers has always been a sure-fire bet, a proven hit since its 1950 debut.

Set on the not-so-friendly streets of New York City, the plot focuses on the world of con artists, card sharks, crap shooters, pony players, petty crooks, club singers and do-gooder missionaries out to save souls.

Nathan Detroit has the “oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York.” A confirmed bachelor, Detroit has also been engaged to Miss Adelaide, a showgirl, for 14 years.

Out to make some easy dough, Detroit bets high-roller Sky Masterson he can’t seduce the prim Sarah Brown, a Salvation Army officer bent on saving souls.

Throughout the boys-meet-girls scenarios there are a quite a few memorable numbers including Luck Be A Lady, If I Were a Bell and I’ll Know (When My Love Comes Along).

Director Curtis LaBelle describes the hummable music as a pollination between two genres. “There’s such a quasi-jazz feel yet there’s the traditional big band sound.”

He adds this is an ideal play for the 15 teenage actors, ranging in age from 14 to 17. “This is a plot that everyone can relate to — the gamblers, the sinners and it has a message that is tongue-in-cheek.”

Furthermore, just about every teen experiences an identity crisis at some point. “We all go through changes in our lives with friends, and kids can relate to that.”

In his artistic vision, the staging requires hardly any set. However, the dolls wear hot pink costumes and guys are garbed with bright ties.

And in an innovative use of props, LaBelle is using the actors as set pieces. “People should see this for the entertainment, for the music, for a night out on the town and for a way to experience musical theatre in a way you’ve never experienced it before. This is a different group and we hope to bring something new to it.”