Broadway is making a guest appearance in Graz: yesterday the Broadway fable Guys and Dolls, based on a template by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows, with music by Frank Loesser, premiered at the opera. Directed by Henry Mason. Thrilling dances and songs and a magical setting take the audience into the life of New York gamblers. When two meet, then a bet arises. Gambler Nathan Detroit doesn't know where his head is at. On the one hand he has no money to hold his infamous dice game, on the other hand his fiancee Adelaide finally wants to get married. 14 years of engagement are probably enough for her. It's fitting that professional gambler Sky Masterson is in town, known for betting big on creative bets. At the same time, the mission "Save a soul", led by Sarah Brown, tries to save the city's sinners (aka gamblers) from their descent into hell. Safe on his money, Detroit makes a bet with Masterson: if "supersinner" Sky persuades missionary Sarah to fly with him to Havana the next day, Nathan will owe him $1,000. And vice versa.The hustle and bustle takes place on a revolving stage (Hans Kudlich), which alternates between steel scaffolding with flashing neon signs and semi-circular concrete girders. The Broadway-style stage set is framed by a sea of lights – ideal. In fantastic costumes (Daria Kornysheva), which capture the zeitgeist of the musical - from pinstripes to hoop skirts, everything is included - the really well cast ensemble shows its strengths. The dance scenes are particularly eye-catching - the show by the Hot Box Girls exudes nostalgic flair, the men's solo game of dice is terrific and there are hot nights with Spanish rhythms in Cuba. The real star of the evening, however, is singer and long-term fiancé Adelaide, played by Bettina Mönch. Despite constant longing for marriage and a slight Barbie-inclination, there's more to her than a stupid showgirl. Financially independent of the man and with a powerful voice, she sings her way into every heart with wit and charm. And makes you laugh out loud. Rob Pelzer as Nathan Detroit is definitely a worthy partner and is in no way inferior to her, especially when it comes to comedy. A true dream team. Johanna Spantzel convinces as the shy Sarah Brown, whose hand and attitudes change quickly after Cuba - with "If I Were a Bell" she shows her most beautiful sounds. Christof Messner starts off a bit bumpy as Sky Masterson, but quickly develops his full potential and mimics the gambler very well. At the latest with the classic "Luck Be a Lady" he has everyone under his spell. The two henchmen of Nathan also offer great cinema: Christoph Scheeben as Nicely Nicely Johnson and Mathias Schlung as Benny Southstreet. Really nice. Guys and Dolls has everything a good night out needs. The musical scores with catchy tunes, sophistication, humor and varied characters whose drawing is not quite as shallow as in other musicals. And somewhere behind the glitz and glamor of Broadway is hiding a pretty nice message: that love makes all things right. And people can change as a result. Standing ovations and big applause.
At least sparks are flying enough: between the petty criminal Nathan Detroit (a charmingly awkward and humorous Rob Pelzer ) and the nightclub singer Miss Adelaide (a credibly snuffled and lovable Bettina Mönch ) – engaged for fourteen years, but the gentleman is not ready for marriage . But thanks to a bet with Nathan, professional gambler Sky Masterson (a skilfully seductive and authentic Christof Messner ) also lands a stroke of luck with Salvation Army specialist Sarah Brown (a changeable and yet not quite so sinless Johanna Spantzel) and unexpectedly falls in love. The probably predictable romance is joined by illegal dice games, the search for suitable venues, persecution by the police, shrill evening shows and a lot of 50s charm. The charm is particularly noticeable in the fabulously nostalgic costumes by Daria Kornysheva and in the varied stage design by Hans Kudlich , which, in the right light by Guido Petzold , almost makes one believe that one has experienced Broadway in the 1950s at any time of the day. Francesc Abós provides a sophisticated choreography and fully exploits the dancer's potential.But what's a Broadway musical without music? You don't have to rack your brains about that in Guys and Dolls - the Graz Philharmonic lead through the evening with verve, the cast shines with charming voices and conducted by Marcus Merkel they not only perform classics like Luck be a lady . The premiere audience thanks them with thunderous applause and standing ovations.
