First-ever Cowley Summer Theatre opens with performances of Guys and Dolls

Cowley College and The VJ Wilkins Foundation were proud to bring to the stage Guys and Dolls a musical fable of Broadway based on the story and characters of Damon Runyon. The show was performed on the evenings of June 8-10, with a special matinee performance on Saturday.

This joyful romp included hits like "A Bushel and a Peck" and, of course, "Luck Be a Lady".

Since Cowley College theatre director Nick Albrecht’s arrival in 2018, he has been manifesting a summer theatre.

“I am beyond thrilled to bring this production to our stage, and I hope it is the beginning of many more Cowley Summer Theatres to come, ”Albrecht said.

Guys and Dolls premiered on Broadway in 1950, where it ran for 1,200 performances and won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Cowley Summer Theatre will now turn its attention to performing Seussical the Musical at 7:30 pm July 14-15 and at 2 pm on July 16.

Cast (in order of appearance)

Nicely-Nicely Johnson………Joshua Hall
Benny Southstreet/Ensemble……Xavier Huffman
Rusty Charlie/Ensemble……Ethan Courter
Sarah Brown……Amollie Stoermer
Vida Abernathy……Mary Jo Harper
Agatha/Ensemble……Gwyneth Abrams
Martha/Ensemble……Alicia Hunter
Harry the Horse/Ensemble……Nathan Oesterle
Lt Brannigan……Chad Anderson
Nathan Detroit……Ryan Brown
Liver Lips Louie/Ensemble……Colton Smith
Society Max/Ensemble……Micah Whitley
Angie the Ox/Ensemble……Brynlea Watkins
Miss Adelaide……Claire Kennard
Sky Masterson……Wyman Wheeler
Mimi/Ensemble……Josi Schwartz
General Matilda B Cartwright/Ensemble……Maya Damron
Big Jule……Nick Albrecht
Drunk/Ensemble……Kennedy Beck
Pickpocket/Ensemble……Brock Saner
Scamp/Ensemble……Keaton Mohr

Band

Keyboard ……Dr Amanda Li
Keyboard……Billy Bearden
Bass……Anthony Gropper
Drums……Nick Hofmeister
Reeds……Dr Michael Christensen
Trumpet –…… Dr Gail Burden

Artistic/Production Team

Producing Artistic Director……Nick Albrecht
Director……Rick Bumgardner*
Music Director……Dr Amanda Li
Choreographer……Kelcy Mohr
Scenic Designer……J Branson
Costume Designer……Emily Rose Parman
Lighting Designer……Jamison Rhoads
Sound Designer……Jason Huffman
Technical Director……Jason Huffman
Props Coordinator……Micah Whitley
Stage Manager……Markie Swanson
Assistant Choreographer……Kennedy Beck
Assistant Stage Managers……Amilia Baca and Peyton Williams
Box Office Manager……Tracy Circle
Light Board Operator……Roz Richert
Sound Board Operator……Jason Huffman
QLab Operator……Jason Huffman
Scenic Revolve Operator……Amilia Baca
Fly Crew……Patrick Burgess-Clark and Peyton Williams
Spotlight Operators……Jacob Giger and Lauren Simpson
Paint Charge……Markie Swanson
Dressers……Emily Rose Parman and Evan Quiett
Interns……Gwyneth Abrams, Amilia Baca, Patrick Burgess-Clark, Ethan Courter, Alicia Hunter, Xavier Huffman, Colton Smith, Amollie Stoermer, Brynlea Watkins, Micah Whitley, and Peyton Williams

*Indicates member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Rama Peroo | Director of Institutional Communication
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
rama.peroo@cowley.edu