Philip Black of Fort Wayne to perform in Huntington University's 'Guys and Dolls'

2011 Mar 23

The Huntington University Theatre Company ends its 2010-2011 mainstage season with one of the most popular American musicals of all time.

"Guys and Dolls" takes place in 1940s New York City with the flashing neon lights, high-stakes craps games and bustling city life of those who live there. After running into his good buddy, Nathan Detroit (Glen Pearson) makes a wager with Sky Masteron (Philip Black) that Sky must make the next "doll" he sees fall madly in love with him.

Enticed by Detroit's proposal, Masterson finds himself in over his head when he must win the affections of the leader of the local missionary Sarah Brown (Courtney Swenson). Meanwhile, Nathan Detroit must find a locale for his floating crap game while also swooning his nightclub hot-box fiancée and reassuring her that the two will one day wed. After a 14-year engagement however, Miss Adelaide (Bethany Edlund) makes it her goal to "Marry the Man Today."

This captivating and hilarious story along with the beautiful, toe-tapping score written by Frank Loesser, will enthrall audiences. You will be delighted and thrilled with dancing, comedy and well-known songs such as "Luck Be a Lady," "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" and "I've Never Been in Love Before."

Philip Black, a senior Theatre Performance major from Fort Wayne, IN, will be featured in the production as Sky Masterson.

"Guys and Dolls" will be performed in Zurcher Auditorium April 7-9 and April 14-16. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with special 2 p.m. matinee performances on April 9 and April 16.

Tickets cost $12 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, $6 for children 13 and younger, $5 for HU students and $9 for HU faculty/staff.

For reservations, call the Merillat Centre for the Arts Box Office at 260-359-4261 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Tickets also will be sold at the door before every performance. Tickets are now on sale.

"Guys and Dolls," written by Frank Loesser, Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows and based on short stories by Damon Runyon, marks the final production of the Huntington University Theatre Company's 2010-2011 mainstage season. Jay Duffer will direct "Guys and Dolls." Duffer last directed "'Tis the Season: A Christmas Revue" for the Huntington University Theatre Company.

"Guys and Dolls" first premiered on Broadway in 1950. The musical ran for 1,200 performances over a three-year span and received four Tony Awards including "Best Musical."

Can the smooth talking gambler, Sky Masterson, reform his ways in order to win the heart of the beautiful and innocent Sarah Brown? Come and take a wager. Chances are you'll enjoy it!

For more information about the Huntington University Theatre Company, visit www.huntington.edu/theatre.

Photos from a rehearsal are available online at http://www.huntington.edu/Theatre/Guys-and-Dolls/.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its "Best in the Midwest" list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

For text of this and all Huntington University news releases, visit www.huntington.edu/news.