Art groups join forces

By Juliette Coulter

Lyric Stage, a theatre company dedicated to the development and preservation of musicals, and Turtle Creek Chorale, one of the most recognized and recorded male-identifying choruses in the country, have partnered to present the popular musical “Guys & Dolls” from August 15-17 at Moody Performance Hall (2520 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201). 

Accompanied by a large orchestra and the Grammy-nominated Stockton Helbing Band, this more than 140-person cast and chorus will present a “Guys & Dolls” that has rarely been produced. Artistic Director for Turtle Creek Chorale and conductor on “Guys & Dolls” Sean Baugh, said, “Oftentimes, the music of this amazing show is overlooked. This production puts extra emphasis on the wonderful score and presents it in a way never heard before. It will be thrilling.”

 Stockton Helbing said, “We have an amazing and diverse arts community in Dallas, and this show is going to be a fine example of that community. I am grateful to be a small part of the big things happening in Dallas and with venerable arts organizations such as TCC and Lyric Stage. It’s going to be a fun time!”

Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, “Guys & Dolls” ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950. The musical is based on a story and characters of Damon Runyon, lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It received nearly unanimous positive reviews from critics and won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks and Oliviers. Its popularity and revival also included a 1992 Broadway production with Nathan Lane and Faith Prince; this show won four Tony Awards. 

The production is rated PG. Tickets can be purchased at lyricstage.org.