REVIEW: A Fantastic Ball at Guys and Dolls (Chanhassen Dinner Theatres)

The cast of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ Guys and Dolls perform “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”, one of the show’s many hit songs. Photo by Dan Norman Photography.

The Golden Age musical Guys & Dolls is currently dazzling audiences at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. This classic show about the underbelly of 1930s New York opened on Broadway in 1950 with a string of popular hits that also dominated the airwaves, including “Luck Be a Lady”, “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”, and “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck”. A film version released in 1955 made the show popular around the country.

It is no wonder that CDT has produced this well-known show three other times, in 1969, 1975, and 1989. After 35+ years, we are excited to see it bursting onto its stage once again.

The gang comes together for “Luck be a Lady” from *Guys and Dolls*. Sung by Marlon Brando in the 1955 film adaptation, it was also adopted by Frank Sinatra (who also starred in the film) as one of his go-to standard songs, singing it for decades in concert. Photo by Dan Norman Photography.

This production of Guys & Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway is helmed by director Tamara Kangas Erickson (also co-choreographer) and is, to say the least, a well-produced show. The cast is stacked full of talented comedic performers. Since the show is a comedy, the actors lean-in to the caricature-like quality of their roles, presenting high-energy and delightfully over-the-top performances. Who knew the craps-loving “sinners” of the underworld could be so charming!

Watch the show’s sizzle reel on Vimeo.

The singing is top notch. Singer-actor Sara Masterson (no relation to the on-stage Sky Masterson) knocks it out of the park as leading lady Sarah Brown, a principled and idealistic young evangelist trying to make New York City a better place. Her soprano voice soared flawlessly and took my breath away.

Sarah Brown (played by Sara Masterson) is courted by Sky Masterson (Shad Hanley). Photo by Dan Norman Photography.

Madeline Trumble’s Miss Adelaide is a show stopper both on-stage and in real life, with killer performances at the Hot Box, the night club where Miss Adelaide works as the star performer. Shad Hanley brings a voice that is a perfect blend of the rough and pleasant needed for the heart-sick gambler, Sky Masterson. The tight music is directed by Mark King; not a single performance from leads, supporting actors, or chorus members was off.

The dancing, co-choreographed by Tamara Kangas Erickson and Linda Talcott Lee, is a real highlight in this production. Every dance number was on-point and energetic. Two standouts that will catch your eye during the ensemble numbers are Rush Benson and Shannon Dancler.

The Crapshooters’ Ballet is just one of many stellar dance pieces choreographed by Tamara Kangas Erickson and Linda Talcott Lee. Photo by Dan Norman Photography.

The visual world of this show is a delight, with well-done sets by Nayna Ramey, lights by Sue Ellen Berger, and sound by Russ Haynes, all of which combine to pull you into the fanciful world of the show. The costumes by Rich Hamson are also a highlight, with a large variety of period inspired colorful outfits to make you jealous of the characters’ closets. (For fun, count all of dear Miss Adelaide’s costume changes and try to pick a favorite.) The many charming zoot suits worn by the gamblers so much fun and added to the exaggerated quality of the characters.

The Hot Box girls come together. Photo by Dan Norman Photography.

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Guys & Dolls plays on the main stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Chanhassen, MN now through September 26, 2026. Tickets range in price with VIP seating options available.

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Boo Segersin

Boo Segersin (Assistant Editor for Theatre) is a professional music- and theatremaker in the Twin Cities.