VOS THEATRE sat down to have a conversation with J.P. Baldwin (Sky Masterson) and Samantha Clark (Sister Sarah) about working in 2018 on a show that premiered on Broadway in the 50’s.

VOS THEATRE: Guys and Dolls has been called “the perfect musical comedy” . It ran for 1200 performances on Broadway in 1950, won Tonys and Oliviers and a Pulitzer Prize in 1951. It’s has seen many revivals over the years and has played to full houses from Shaw and Stratford to Broadway. What’s “perfect” about the show and why are the revivals so successful?

J.P. – I think that the book (script) to this musical holds up to analysis very well, comparatively to other book musicals. Yes, it may be dated, but with in-depth conversation within the production as to how to approach a 1950’s text with 2018 values, it is still very relevant and powerful.

Sam: What I think is so perfect about this show is its balance. The two leading couples, Sky & Sarah and Nathan & Adelaide are so completely opposite to one another in character and in the kind of music they sing. The game of ping pong between “opposites” through the show makes it a rollercoaster of storytelling. The show also does nothing subtly. It is loud and proud with it’s comedy  and in creating a mood. As an audience we love this. It’s theatrical enough that we can lose ourselves to the fun of it all!

VOS THEATRE: We know that you’re both were very sensitive to the role of women and their relationships in the show. Can you reflect on the change in attitudes over the past 70 years and how the show still seems to remain relevant to the degree that it played to full houses with an extended run in Stratford this summer.

J.P. – If the script is approached from a more feminist lens during planning and rehearsal, and with agreement among cast and production, we have an opportunity to see how powerful the female characters in this show really are. I personally think that the women are the ones who really drive the story and maneuver themselves into “power” positions by the end of show.

Sam: The whole plot of the show is really driven by the women. You just have to look past the cover plots woven by the gamblers. Adelaide and Sarah get the 11 o’clock number. They confide in each other about their woes and make a plan to get what they really want in the end. It’s really a good time to be exploring what femininity meant 70 years ago – the power of it, the limits of it. I also find it really interesting to look at Sister Sarah and the General who are of course both women and who both hold professional positions of leadership. In my nerdy research I found that this was not uncommon in the organization & I think that is a wonderful and incredibly progressive piece to this puzzle.

VOS THEATRE: Enough serious chat – Strudel or Cheesecake?

J.P. – CHEESECAKE all the way!

Sam: – STRUDEL! ….. no really cheesecake. I just felt badly for strudel and didn’t want it to feel left out.

The VOS Theatre production of Guys & Dolls 
opens April 19th and runs until April 28th

Call the box office for tickets 905-372-2210
Or Book Online Now

Carlotta Rutledge is “the General” in VOS THEATRE’s
upcoming production of  Guys and Dolls

VOS THEATRE: Hey it’s been great to meet you and have the opportunity to get to know you. Tell us all things Carlotta. We know you’re a director, an actress, a costume designer………tell us more!

Carlotta:  Well let me see. I was born in England, developed a love of the stage after my first performance at the tender age of 6. I left England during the coal mining strike of 1973 and thought I would travel the world. My first stop was Canada where I met my husband to be that year and subsequently settled down. Canada became my home. I have three children and four grandchildren with another one on the way.

VOS THEATRE: Best Community Theatre story…………go!

Carlotta: Now that’s tricky.  Here goes.  It was Cabaret with Oshawa Little Theatre  many moons ago.  We were in the middle of one of the very risque dances in the kit kat club and  a youngster from the audience  shouts, “Is that Mrs Rutledge my Sunday School teacher?”  Some cast members never let me live that down.

VOS THEATRE: Northumberland County is rich with opportunities to see and be involved in music and theatre. Some say there’s too much going on but we think it’s what makes this place special. Do you agree?

Carlotta: Absolutely. It is and I do.

As Golde in Oshawa Little Theatre’s Fiddler

VOS THEATRE: Theatre should look easy to patrons but the making of “easy” is hard work. Volunteers contribute thousands of hours to a production. Is it worth it?

Carlotta: I have always loved the process of putting a show together, so to present your best you have to put in the time.

Calendar Girls

VOS THEATRE: Tell us about the first time you saw Guys and Dolls.

Carlotta: I saw the movie on television as a youngster and fell in love with the rich assortment of characters and great music. I may have had a crush on Marlon Brando at that time.

VOS THEATRE: We are so lucky that you joined us for this production, Carlotta. You’re making the experience richer. Thank you!

VOS THEATRE PRESENTS GUYS AND DOLLS
April 19-28 – Victoria Hall, Cobourg
Tickets: $27
Box Office: 905-372-2210
Purchase Tickets Online