The bustling, colorful streets of 1950s New York City are coming to Middlebrook School as the Wilton Children’s Theater (WCT) presents its spring production of the classic musical comedy, Guys and Dolls JR. Performances are scheduled for Friday, Mar. 13 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Mar. 14 at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Mar. 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online.
This year’s production features a dedicated cast of 44 talented 4th through 8th graders, including 16 making their WCT main stage debut and seven 8th graders in their final WCT main stage show. Getting to opening night hasn’t been without its hurdles — winter weather and unexpected snow days threw a wrench into the rehearsal schedule this season. However, the cast and crew rallied, putting in extra hours in the last two weeks and practicing choreography and harmonies at home to ensure the show goes off without a hitch.
“The dedication these kids have shown is just incredible. When the snow days hit, they didn’t miss a beat — they were practicing their lines and dances in their living rooms. Their hard work has really paid off, and the comedic timing they are bringing to these classic characters is going to have the audience in stitches,” Director Skip Ploss said.
While Guys and Dolls may not be a familiar story for many younger viewers, it is widely considered the perfect musical comedy for good reason and guarantees a fantastic time for the whole family. With a story of flashy gamblers and underground craps games, the show is packed with hilarious, larger-than-life characters and fast-paced physical comedy that will keep audiences laughing. Plus, theatergoers of all ages will instantly recognize iconic, toe-tapping tunes like “Luck Be a Lady,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”
For the cast’s 8th graders, this production marks a bittersweet milestone as their final performance with Wilton Children’s Theater before moving on to high school.
“I didn’t know much about the show before we started, but it is so funny and the songs are so catchy,” 8th grader Eden Helmuth said. “We’ve all worked so hard, especially with the weather getting in the way, to make the big musical numbers really pop. Performing as Ms. Adelaide for my last WCT show is really special.”
Don’t gamble on missing out! Come see these “Guys and Dolls” light up the stage and support the incredible hard work of Wilton’s young performers. Ticket prices are $15 for students and $20 for adults. Assigned seating tickets are available online. Limited tickets will be on sale at the door (by digital payment only), and producers encourage advance ticket purchases.