‘Luck Be a Lady’: Harper College Theatre Ensemble to present ‘Guys and Dolls’

Colorful gangsters, sassy showgirls and some of the most indelible tunes in Broadway history are about to turn Harper College into 1950s Manhattan. That’s because the Harper College Theatre Ensemble is preparing to present Guys and Dolls, the Tony Award-winning musical, on select dates from March 7-16 at Harper’s Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Algonquin Road.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets range from $15-$25 and can be purchased online via the Harper Box Office or by calling 847.925.6100.

Set in the New York underworld, Guys and Dolls features a book by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows along with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser – including the Broadway classics “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.” Harper Professor Kevin Long is directing the production and will appear with dramaturg Mary T. Christel before the Sunday performances for “Coffee With the Director and Dramaturg.” These free, pre-show conversations provide extra insights into the context of this musical-comedy and the Harper College Theatre Ensemble’s creative process.

“Guys and Dolls focuses more on the theme of love rather than just ‘gambling.’ It delves into the gamble we take when falling in love, especially with someone who appears to be an unlikely match,” Long writes in his director’s notes. “Love weaves its way through the lives of these colorful characters. As we delve into their relationships and experience one of the most glorious musical scores ever written for the theatre, we celebrate the transformative power of love and the connections that bind us all.”

Also, please note that construction on Harper’s campus is currently obscuring the entrance to the Performing Arts Center (although the entrance is fully accessible by sidewalk and attendees should park in lot 2). Visit events.harpercollege.edu for more information.