Fox Chapel Area students glam it up with 'Guys and Dolls'

It’s a golden year filled with glitz and glamour for Fox Chapel Area musical theater.

A student-driven production of “Guys and Dolls” will hit the stage to mark the district’s 50th year of shows where teens consistently turn in near-professional performances, belting out Broadway-style tunes and sashaying across the stage.

More than 130 students are behind this year’s show, as actors, tech crew and pit musicians.

“We wanted to choose a classic golden-age musical that paid homage to the history of musical theater at our high school,” Director Ben Murray said.

“Guys and Dolls” will be performed at 7 p.m. March 2, 3 and 4, and 2 p.m. March 5 in the high school auditorium.

Tickets cost $13 each.

A romantic comedy that debuted in 1950, “Guys and Dolls” earned the Tony Award for Best Musical. A later film adaptation starred Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

Set in New York City and Havana, Cuba, the plot follows unlikely companions, who include a high-rolling gambler, a missionary, a con man and a showgirl.

It features the toe-tapping and still-popular tune, “Luck Be A Lady.”

“Guys and Dolls’ has been hailed as the perfect musical comedy, gambling with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway,” Murray said. “I know no one who has left this show without humming one of the memorable tunes. They are simply all classics.”

The title is notable as it was the second musical performed in the district in 1975.

This year marks the fifth time students have performed it.

Senior Mia Lynch of Fox Chapel is the dance captain for this year’s production. She said the week of the show is thrilling because “it is the single time where the entire production team comes together to create a work of art.

“As a cast, we have had the opportunity to form a community in which we prioritize inclusion, hard work and friendships.”

Whether it’s karaoke in the dressing rooms, dancing at the cast parties or giving teary-eyed hugs on closing night, Lynch said her musical memories are something she will cherish.

Murray said that the dance numbers in this year’s show are particularly demanding.

“While the catchy tunes are a highlight, you can’t perform this show without top- notch dancers,” he said. “It’s been several years since we’ve done a show that has featured this much dance.

We have had to restructure our rehearsal process to provide enough time for the cast to learn all of the dances.”

Senior stage manager Lilly Adamo said the daily grind is part of the fun.

“I enjoy every part of the production from the first day we find out what the musical is to the very last second of the last show,” she said.

“The relationships that we form are some of my strongest friendships.”

Adamo said the dancing and costumes are some of the best she’s seen in her high school career. She’s eager to show off for returning alumni.

“I am excited for them to see the work we put into the show to carry on the tradition that they created,” she said.

An alumni photo will be taken following the March 4 show.

Murray said that producing a show is magical every year, but there’s something particularly special about this one.

“This is a show you don’t want to miss,” he said.

A small reception in honor of the school’s 50th year of musicals will be held for past participants at 6 p.m. March 4.

Anyone interested can meet in the high school commons area but must buy a ticket to the show and then complete a Google Form link which can be found on the ticket purchasing website.