Members of the Upper School dramatic society donned gangster suits,1940s dresses, and northern accents to perform "Guys and Dolls Jr," a musical adaptation of the book written by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. With words and music written by Frank Loesseer, the play wove the love story of missionary Sarah Brown and gambler Sky Masterson. The tale also explored the relationship of Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide, a craps hustler and showgirl, respectively, who have been engaged for 14 years. Miss Adelaide disapproves of Detroit's tendency to gamble, mainly because his obsession for rolling dice keeps him from obsessing over her.
Central to the theme of the musical is the presupposition that love leads people to unpredictable and sometimes irrational behavior, as illustrated in the lyrics, "When you spot a John waiting out in the rain, chances are he's insane as only a John can be for a Jane."
Directed by new drama teacher Kayla Marsh and only the second musical performed in the history of Whitefield, the production proved that Whitefield students cannot only act, but sing and dance as well. From the opening number with gamblers Nicely-Nicely (Tanner Parks, 12th), Benny Southstreet (Jack Bradley, 9th), and Rusty Charlie (Kevin Middlebrooks, 12th), students convinced the audience that they were in the hustling, bustling streets of New York rather than the auditorium of Lindley Sixth Grade Academy.
Hannah Rae Faulk (12th) gave a top-notch rendition of Sarah, an uptight but caring mission worker confused by her unexpected feelings for gambler Sky, played by Moore Wannamaker (12th). Audience members whispered approval when Moore belted out his first song, "I'll Know," a duet with Hannah about falling in love.
Chase Butler (11th) played Detroit with perfect comedic timing and Avery Evans (12th), who played Miss Adelaide, had the stereotypical dumb blonde down to a T. Allergic to Detroit's lack of commitment, Miss Adelaide has a perpetual cold,a nervous condition which Avery comically grieved in the number, "Adelaide's Lament."
In addition to the main characters, a number of supporting actors added to the drama such as Berto Dryden (10th), who played the cool, but hard-nosed gambler Big Jule; Matt Snyder (9th) who played the cool, but hard-nosed gambler Big Jule; Matt Snyder (9th) who played Leutinenant Brannigan, a frustrated cop trying to catch an elusive group of gamblers; and Janie Hampel (12th), who played General Cartwright, Sarah's rigid superior who wants to shut down the mission unless sinners convert.
Juan Darby (12th), Gracie Babcock (11th), Jennie Chambliss (11th), Camila Beltran (11th), and Alli McLemore (11th) played friends of the main characters and sophomores Averi Noosinow and Mary Hannah Skelton danced on several numbers in the production. Freshman William Bell and sophomores Dane Peterson, Braelen Phillips, and Peter Sengson rounded out the cast of gamblers and freshmen Kathryn Bracher, Ari Cristoffersen, Kathryn Grace Faulk, Naomy Grand'Pierre, Grace Langella, and Jana Patton played mission workers, Hot Box dancers, and Havana dancers.
Over 50 students participated in the production, as actors, set designers, light technicians, choreographers, sound technicians, costume designers, make-up artists, and more. Whitefield students, faculty members and staff, or friends who participated behind the scenes included Susan Banke, Allen Bell, Harrison Bradley, Jennifer Bradley, Landon Brown, Annie Butler, James Canada, Matt Canada, Debbie Childree, Lyn Christofferson, Justine Connor, Brian Coski, Jeremiah Cowan, Dannygail Dean, Christal Dewberry, Iman Eaton, Michelle Evans, Rae Faulk, Kristin Fikse, Paul Fletcher, Terrence Goens, Sue Hampel, Jeanelen Hipple, Arielle Huggins, Amanda Lawson, Megan Marsh, Mary Beth Newkirk, Holly Parks, Allison Per-Lee, Stacy Quiros, Kayla Reeder, Fantasia Remonvil, Stacy Rutter, Jill Sabulis, Peter Sengsen, Ellen Snyder, Jonathan Thomas, and Walker Wood.