“Guys and Dolls” Returns to Mineola High School

With over 145 students participating ’s production of “Guys and Dolls” it’s a wonder there were any students left to watch the performance.

“We have almost 20 percent of the school on the stage,” director Joseph Owens said. “It’s huge.” 

Catering to the needs of the massive cast and crew, Owens needed to find a production grand enough to support the students.

“This year I knew that I was going to have a lot of kids and a lot of kids who could sing it, a lot of kids who had a lot of talent who could dance some of the parts and some really talented crew members who could build the set really well,” he said. “All those things just kind of made this show keep coming to the top.”

This is not Owens’ first experience with the Frank Loesser musical. Having stepped into the shoes of gambler Sky Masterson when he was a student at Mineola High School in 1998, passing the torch to Robert Steinmann was a non-issue.

“I always prefer to help other kids shine on stage and that’s more rewarding for me being on this side of the stage,” said Owens, who has been working in Mineola for nine years, the past five as high school stage director.

The show itself ran smoothly, with only a few minor microphone glitches. Even with the wireless mikes fading in and out, the cast performed through it without even batting an eyelash. But the real treat was watching the fluidity of the choreography as the enormous cast interacted on stage. The bustle of the New York street crowd and the big group dance scenes seemed effortless even though the stage was packed.

“Everything kind of just went together. There were mistakes made, but you couldn’t tell. It just went over because everybody just knew what they were doing and it just, it just clicked really,” said Nate Williams, who plays Nathan Detroit.

“Guys and Dolls,” written by Abe Burros and Jo Swerling, takes place in New York City. The streets are busy with criminals, gamblers, and con-artists while missionary, Sarah Brown, tries to save their souls. Propositioned by Nathan Detroit, Sky Masterson, the high-rolling gambler, takes a bet to win over Sarah Brown and falls in love during the process, while Detroit also struggles in his relationship with his fiancée of 14 years. All ends well for the couples dance and sing their way to the altar in the fun-loving romantic comedy.

The real success of the Mineola production stems from the close bond the members developed from their first rehearsals.

“It’s been such a group effort and it’s just wonderful how many people get involved and love being here,” said Lesley Donelan, who played Detroit’s fiancée, Miss Adelaide.

“It’s definitely easier because you get a sense of family and a sense of teamwork from having such a large group and we do become a sort of family which is really great.”

“Guys and Dolls” has its final performance Tickets are still available and are sold at the door for $10.