From the first upbeat note of the orchestra as the curtain opened, and the first colorful and comical scene on stage, it was evident "Guys and Dolls" was going to be a witty and exciting musical.

More than 300 people filled McCain Auditorium opening night, and the audience was made up of students, faculty, members of the Manhattan community and friends and family of the cast. After weeks of rehearsals, setting up the building, costume design, orchestra rehearsals and dance practices, everything came together this weekend as K-State Theater performed one of Broadway's classic musicals.

"It was really entertaining, and the funny parts were really good," said Jerilyn Billings, freshman in pre-journalism. "It was a very enjoyable play."

Billings said her favorite part was the dance scene performed by the gamblers in their underground craps game.

"Guys and Dolls" was written by Frank Loesser and first premiered on Broadway in 1950. The musical follows several characters as they go about their lives in 1940s New York City.

"There are so many different main characters that everyone can find someone to relate to," said Kristi Mason, sophomore in applied music, who played Sarah Brown.

Sarah leads the Save-A-Soul mission in New York City, and spends most of the play searching for sinners to save. Sky Masterson, played by Luke Johnson, graduate student in theater, in turn spends much of his time trying to get a date with Sarah Brown so he can win a bet with his friend Nathan Detroit, played by Drew Horton, senior in music education. Nathan, ring leader of the New York gambling ring, always has a plan but cannot quite handle his fiancee of 14 years, Miss Adelaide, played by Chelsey Fritch, senior in humanities. Adelaide is the lead dancer at the Hot Box burlesque club and spends most of her time wondering when she will finally get married.

"Guys and Dolls" featured animated characters in colorful 1940s zoot suits and flapper dresses along with several vibrant and ornate sets depicting the scenery of New York. In addition to the bright colors of the costumes and sets, one of the most entertaining aspects of the play was the choreography. David Ollington, assistant professor in theater and dance, choreographed several pieces to go along with the classic songs of the musical.

"My favorite part was the dance scenes and all the choreography, especially the ones with the guys," said Jennifer Birzer, freshman in apparel and textiles.

Krysten Moeder, junior in elementary education, agreed and said she "loved the play, and it was really fun to see all the guys dancing."

The musical had a large cast of gamblers counting on Nathan to find a place for their craps game and they performed classic songs such as "Luck Be A Lady" and danced in the streets, the Save-A-Soul mission and even in a sewer. Miss Adelaide and Sarah each had solos that gave the audience insight into their lives and often made them laugh, too. In "If I Were A Bell," a very drunk Sarah sings about falling in love while stumbling all over the stage.

"Guys and Dolls" is a well-beloved musical in Broadway history, and K-State Theatre gave an excellent performance of the upbeat musical.

- Melissa Short is a sophomore in dietetics and public health nutrition. Send comments to edge@spub.ksu.edu