MERCED -- Some of Playhouse Merced's youngest actors will grace the stage this week, singing and dancing their hearts out in a production of "Guys and Dolls, Jr."
Running for three days in Merced, the show is the latest production from the Young Artist's Conservatory, featuring a children's adaptation of the classic musical.
A group of 36 actors, ranging in age from 5 to 15, will entertain audiences in a 90-minute presentation of live music and custom-made costumes.
CHRISTOPHER WINTERFELDT/cwinterfeldt@mercedsunstar.com The cast of "Guys and Dolls, Jr." sings during a dress rehearsal at the Multicultural Arts Center on Thursday (3-14-13) in Merced. Playhouse Merced's Education Director Noelle Chandler, 29 of Merced, directs her twenty-fifth production, with a cast ranging from ages 5 to 15 years-old. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.,†a children’s adaptation of the musical theatre classic “Guys and Dolls,†will be presented by Playhouse Merced’s Young Artist’s Conservatory starring young actors at the Merced County Arts Council March 15, 16 and 17, 2013. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.†is rated A for All Ages and plays Friday, March 15 at 7:30, Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 at Merced County Arts Council 645 W. Main Street in Merced. Tickets prices: Adults and Seniors: $10.00; Students and Children: $5.00. Purchase tickets by calling (209) 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main in downtown Merced, Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00. Playhouse Merced is a community-based, non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization seeking to entertain, educate and enlighten our audiences.
CHRISTOPHER WINTERFELDT/cwinterfeldt@mercedsunstar.com Aidan O'Herin, at left, plays character Nathan Detroit in the play "Guys and Dolls, Jr." during a dress rehearsal at the Multicultural Arts Center on Thursday (3-14-13) in Merced. Playhouse Merced's Education Director Noelle Chandler, 29 of Merced, directs her twenty-fifth production, with a cast ranging from ages 5 to 15 years-old. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.,†a children’s adaptation of the musical theatre classic “Guys and Dolls,†will be presented by Playhouse Merced’s Young Artist’s Conservatory starring young actors at the Merced County Arts Council March 15, 16 and 17, 2013. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.†is rated A for All Ages and plays Friday, March 15 at 7:30, Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 at Merced County Arts Council 645 W. Main Street in Merced. Tickets prices: Adults and Seniors: $10.00; Students and Children: $5.00. Purchase tickets by calling (209) 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main in downtown Merced, Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00. Playhouse Merced is a community-based, non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization seeking to entertain, educate and enlighten our audiences.
CHRISTOPHER WINTERFELDT/cwinterfeldt@mercedsunstar.com From left, Isaiah Flores, Kalani Perez, and Robert Barnes, act in the play "Guys and Dolls, Jr." during a dress rehearsal at the Multicultural Arts Center on Thursday (3-14-13) in Merced. Playhouse Merced's Education Director Noelle Chandler, 29 of Merced, directs her twenty-fifth production, with a cast ranging from ages 5 to 15 years-old. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.,†a children’s adaptation of the musical theatre classic “Guys and Dolls,†will be presented by Playhouse Merced’s Young Artist’s Conservatory starring young actors at the Merced County Arts Council March 15, 16 and 17, 2013. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.†is rated A for All Ages and plays Friday, March 15 at 7:30, Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 at Merced County Arts Council 645 W. Main Street in Merced. Tickets prices: Adults and Seniors: $10.00; Students and Children: $5.00. Purchase tickets by calling (209) 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main in downtown Merced, Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00. Playhouse Merced is a community-based, non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization seeking to entertain, educate and enlighten our audiences.
CHRISTOPHER WINTERFELDT/cwinterfeldt@mercedsunstar.com At left, Jessica Hixson plays the character Sarah Brown, while Aiden Mitchell plays Sky Masterson, in the play "Guys and Dolls, Jr." during a dress rehearsal at the Multicultural Arts Center on Thursday (3-14-13) in Merced. Playhouse Merced's Education Director Noelle Chandler, 29 of Merced, directs her twenty-fifth production, with a cast ranging from ages 5 to 15 years-old. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.,†a children’s adaptation of the musical theatre classic “Guys and Dolls,†will be presented by Playhouse Merced’s Young Artist’s Conservatory starring young actors at the Merced County Arts Council March 15, 16 and 17, 2013. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.†is rated A for All Ages and plays Friday, March 15 at 7:30, Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 at Merced County Arts Council 645 W. Main Street in Merced. Tickets prices: Adults and Seniors: $10.00; Students and Children: $5.00. Purchase tickets by calling (209) 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main in downtown Merced, Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00. Playhouse Merced is a community-based, non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization seeking to entertain, educate and enlighten our audiences.
Merced Sun-Star - CHRISTOPHER WINTERFELDT/cwinterfeldt@mercedsunstar.com Casie Bonstein, front center, sings as character Miss Adelaide during a dress rehearsal of "Guys and Dolls, Jr." at the Multicultural Arts Center on Thursday (3-14-13) in Merced. Playhouse Merced's Education Director Noelle Chandler, 29 of Merced, directs her twenty-fifth production, with a cast ranging from ages 5 to 15 years-old. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.,†a children’s adaptation of the musical theatre classic “Guys and Dolls,†will be presented by Playhouse Merced’s Young Artist’s Conservatory starring young actors at the Merced County Arts Council March 15, 16 and 17, 2013. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.†is rated A for All Ages and plays Friday, March 15 at 7:30, Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 at Merced County Arts Council 645 W. Main Street in Merced. Tickets prices: Adults and Seniors: $10.00; Students and Children: $5.00. Purchase tickets by calling (209) 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main in downtown Merced, Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00. Playhouse Merced is a community-based, non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization seeking to entertain, educate and enlighten our audiences.
Merced Sun-Star - Jessica Hixson (Sarah Brown) and Aiden Mitchell (Sky Masterson) in Playhouse Merced’s Young People’s Conservatory production of "Guys and Dolls, Jr." SUBMITTED PHOTO
Merced Sun-Star - Aidan O’Herin (Nathan Detroit) and Casie Bonstein (Adelaide) in Playhouse Merced’s Young People’s Conservatory production of "Guys and Dolls, Jr."
Merced Sun-Star - CHRISTOPHER WINTERFELDT/cwinterfeldt@mercedsunstar.com At left, Jessica Hixson plays the character Sarah Brown, while Aiden Mitchell plays Sky Masterson, in the play "Guys and Dolls, Jr." during a dress rehearsal at the Multicultural Arts Center on Thursday (3-14-13) in Merced. Playhouse Merced's Education Director Noelle Chandler, 29 of Merced, directs her twenty-fifth production, with a cast ranging from ages 5 to 15 years-old. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.,†a children’s adaptation of the musical theatre classic “Guys and Dolls,†will be presented by Playhouse Merced’s Young Artist’s Conservatory starring young actors at the Merced County Arts Council March 15, 16 and 17, 2013. “Guys and Dolls, Jr.†is rated A for All Ages and plays Friday, March 15 at 7:30, Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 at Merced County Arts Council 645 W. Main Street in Merced. Tickets prices: Adults and Seniors: $10.00; Students and Children: $5.00. Purchase tickets by calling (209) 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main in downtown Merced, Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00. Playhouse Merced is a community-based, non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization seeking to entertain, educate and enlighten our audiences.
The actors began rehearsal in late January, practicing eight hours a week for six weeks, according to director Noelle Chandler.
"The most outstanding part of this show is the performing," said Chandler, who's also the education director for the Young Artist's Conservatory. "These kids are very young and 'Guys and Dolls' is not an easy show."
"It's a lot of intense vocalization, and the kids nail it. They worked really hard to get there, and they put on a great show."
Just like the original "Guys and Dolls," the script follows the life of a slick, high-rolling gambler named Sky Masterson, who bets that he can't get a date with Sarah Brown, a sergeant at the Save-a-Soul Mission.
Meanwhile, Sky's friend Nathan Detroit has his hands full dodging the police and his ready-for-the-altar girlfriend, Adelaide.
Set in New York City in the 1950s, audiences will be treated to hit songs such as "I'll Know," "Adelaide's Lament" and "Luck be a Lady."
"Guys and Dolls, Jr." is appropriate for all ages.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Merced County Arts Council, 645 W. Main St. in Merced.
Tickets are $10 for adults and seniors, $5 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased by calling (209) 725-8587 or visiting the box office at 452 W. Main in Merced, Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Reporter Ramona Giwargis can be reached at (209) 385-2477 or rgiwargis@mercedsunstar.com.
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