By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

They say the neon lights are bright in... Fayetteville?

Starting Thursday, July 13 and running over the next two weekends, Fayette Community Theatre will present the hit Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls” at Sams Auditorium. The musical, which won eight Tony awards in 1950 and four in 1992 when it was revived, is the largest production that FCT has ever undertaken in its 17-year history.

There are 35 actors, some playing as many as three roles in the play, and 35 behind-the-scenes volunteers. There are also 79 individually designed, custom made costumes, 29 set pieces, 18 musical numbers with individual choreography, and a designer-original wedding gown created by Melissa Sweet of Bridal of Atlanta for the character of Miss Adelaide. The cast and crew have definitely put a lot of time into the production as they have had 40 rehearsals, rehearsing over 170 hours.

The play is directed by Ryan Pierini, a graduate of McIntosh High School and Georgia State University. Pierini got his theatrical start with FCT, performing in productions of “A Christmas Carol,” “Beauty and The Beast” and “The Wizard of Oz.” He is currently studying for his master's degree in theater arts at the University of Mississippi.

“We are truly pleased to have Ryan back with us,” said FCT Chairman Sylvia Wade. “He has assembled a truly remarkable cast of actors from throughout the metropolitan area that is sure to make our first production of the original Broadway musical one of the most memorable in our 17-year history.”

“Guys and Dolls” also gets help from Millie Turek and Jonsie Pollock. Turek is the musical director for the production. Currently the choral director for Sandy Creek High School, Turek is steeped with experience in the field of choral and musical direction. She served as the accompanist and assistant director to the Spivey Hall Children's Choir and also has served as the Georgia president of the American Choral Directors Association.

Pollock, a Peachtree City resident, received her dance training at Connecticut's Ballet Etudes Academy and Repertory Theatre, and in New York at Ballet Theater and the school of the Joffrey Ballet. She is currently on the faculty of The Studio in Fayetteville and is ballet mistress for the Georgia Youth Ballet.

Both Pollock and Turek are excited about the production and the effort the members of the cast have out in to each aspect of the show.

“The men playing the crap shooters are fabulous,” said Turek. “They have some of the best songs in the show and their voices are well-trained for this type of role.” Pollock believes the audience is in for a real treat. “One of the fun things about the show is the great latitude for choreography,” she added. “Most shows have perhaps one or two great dance numbers. `Guys and Dolls' has several, and our dancers are some of the hardest working I've had the privilege to be associated with.”

Another amazing aspect of the production is the use of “virtual orchestra.” This new form of sound technology supplements the live musicians and provides the sound of a full orchestra. It has been used in only two productions so far; New York City Technical College's production of “Evita” and a Connecticut theater's production of “Annie.”

“Our theater was selected because of our commitment to excellence and our long history of exceptional productions,” explained Wade. “We are the first theater in Georgia to use the virtual orchestra technology and theater personnel from throughout the state are planning to be in the audience to hear this new breakthrough in theater sound.”

“Guys and Dolls” is a family-friendly musical about a man named Nathan Detroit who makes a bet with Sky Masterson. Detroit bets Masterson that he can't take Sarah to Havana with him, while Detroit struggles with keeping his lady friend and keeping his floating craps game alive. The musical features such classics as “Luck Be A Lady Tonight,” “Sue Me” and “Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat.”

Tickets are available now at the Peachtree City Library and Artistic Flowers in Griffin. Ticket prices for the 8 p.m. Thursday shows July 13 and 20 are $8 regardless of age. The Friday and Saturday performances at 8 p.m. July 14, 15, 21 and 22 and the Sunday, July 16 performance at 3 p.m. are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, students and children over 2. Tickets can also be ordered over the phone at 770-631-1542 or via e-mail at www.geocities.com/gofct.

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