Guys and Dolls

I am always happy as a clam when American musicals come to Paris, as it’s one of the things I truly miss about living in New York. In past years I’ve enjoyed productions of Sunday in the Park with George, My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, The King and I, West Side Story, and An American in Paris. 

This season Guys and Dolls, the quintessential American musical is making its premiere in Paris. 

I went to see it last Friday night and was overjoyed. The production from beginning to end left a smile on my face and I hummed the tunes for hours on end after I left the theater. 

Based on Damon Runyon’s tales of New York City from the 1930s, the story follows a group of outcasts, gamblers and hustlers coming up against the stiff morality of the Salvation Army. Try as they might, the Salvation Army characters eventually succumb to their immoral underlings. 

The cast is uniformly excellent, hitting all their marks, but the true star of the show is Ria Jones, as Adelaide. Her flare, timing, and wit as the lovable, lamentable Adelaide was superb, adding that little bit of extra je-ne-sais quois that gives her star power. She reminded me a bit of the brassy Ethel Merman, especially with her curly auburn mop and large voice. 

I forgot how many consistently great songs Guys and Dolls contains from longing ballads like I’ll Know and I’ve Never Been in Love Before, to the finger-snapping anthem Luck Be a Lady, to musical comedy classics such as Adelaide’s Lament and Marry the Man, and the clever If I Were a Bell. 

The exuberant and athletic choreography by Stephen Mear gives the show an extra shot of energy, to an already fast moving show and the costumes vary, sometimes spot on for the period but in brash colors, sometimes cheap looking, looking like the production gave the costume designer a limited budget. 

Guys and Dolls is the feel good hit of the season, a much-needed respite from the disconcerting times we live in. 

Guys and Dolls 

Until July 28, 2019 

Théâtre Marigny 

Carré Marigny 75008

Metro: Champs Elysees-Clemenceau

https://www.theatremarigny.fr/

Last two weeks to see my photo show. 

Comments

[Kate Beswick]

wow! It sounds terrific! Can't wait to see it As I remember there isn't a bad song in the show -

[Linda Spalla]

Was the show in English or French? We went to see “Mamma Mia” and it was in French but fantastique!