'Guys & Dolls' has a successful run

The Sisters High School musical theater production of "Guys & Dolls" wrapped up a four-performance run with a matinee performance on Sunday afternoon.

The play created quite a buzz in Sisters as audience members (many repeat viewers) spread the word about the quality of the production. Director Rick Johnson reported that there were 57 students involved in the production, from the large cast to Bethany Gunnarson's art students, who painted sets, to the technical and stage crew.

"This is far above a high school production," said one audience member on Friday as she made plans to return Saturday night. "I could watch it over and over again."

The play featured seniors Devon Cash as Masterson; Joel Fisher as Nathan Detroit; Meganne Englich-Mills as Miss Adelaide; MacKenzie Ehr as Arlene Abernathy; Brogin Dye as Big Jule; and Sarah Dumolt as General Matilda B. Carthwright; juniors Paige Montgomery as Sarah Brown; and Ethan Wetzel as Rusty Charlie; and sophomores Robert Merola as Lt. Brannigan; Noah Eckstine as Nicely Nicely Johnson; Ross Grant as Harry the Horse and Peter Lund as Benny Southstreet.

In the play, gambling mugs become impatient when Nathan finds out he needs to put a thousand bucks down to hold a location for a craps game. Meanwhile, local police Lieutenant Brannigan and Nathan's fiancée, Miss Adelaide, are suspicious of his activities. Nathan, desperate for the game to happen, bets Sky Masterson that Sky can't take Sarah Brown, the Save-a-Soul Mission doll, to Havana. This throws together the "sinning" gamblers and the mission "saints" in a production filled with singing, dancing and couples falling in love.

Audience members laughed at the antics of saints and sinners and were impressed by the quality of the singing in classic numbers like "Luck Be a Lady Tonight," "A Bushel and a Peck," and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat."

Julie Cash provided the piano accompaniment for the songs.

The audience experience was enhanced by quality wireless microphones used by performers, which were donated by Abbajay Automated Control Systems.

Volunteers played a critical role in making the production a signal success.

Dance scenes were choreographed by Tara Johnson, and junior Kendra Kemp, dance captain, worked with the cast during class and after school

Lisa Fetrow and Angela Lund are volunteer production assistants. Stuart Ehr worked with students to get the most out of the microphones.

A production on this scale represents a major undertaking. Sisters High School produces a musical every other year.