![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sut-l-stage-guysanddolls3.jpg\")
Patrick Cummings as Sky Masterson, left, and Alessa Neeck as Sarah Brown in Moonlight Stage Productions\u2019 \u201cGuys and Dolls.\u201d (Karli Cadel)<\/p>\nI\u2019m sometimes asked to name my favorite musicals. Some of them have changed over the decades, but the 1950 classic \u201cGuys and Dolls\u201d has always been among my top 5. It\u2019s timeless, funny, has a great score and \u2014 when well staged \u2014 has some of the most showstopping theatrical dance numbers ever conceived.<\/p>\n
Fortunately for fans like me, a very well-staged production opened Wednesday at Vista\u2019s Moonlight Amphitheatre. The musical, with a score by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, was inspired by the quirky characters in Damon Runyon\u2019s 1930s-era short stories about Prohibition-era gamblers, Broadway showgirls and crusading missionaries in New York City.<\/p>\n
This is the fourth time since 1985 that Moonlight Stage Productions has produced \u201cGuys and Dolls,\u201d and this production features a clever casting element. Two couples that are married in real life play the musical\u2019s two central couples.<\/p>\n
Steven Glaudini, Moonlight\u2019s producing artistic director for the past 14 years, plays the craps game purveyor Nathan Detroit, and his wife of 31 years, Bets Malone \u2014 who has been performing at Moonlight since age 11 \u2014 plays nightclub star Miss Adelaide. And spouses Patrick Cummings and Alessa Neeck play gambler Sky Masterson and missionary Sarah Brown.<\/p>\n
Patrick Cummings as Sky Masterson, left, and Alessa Neeck as Sarah Brown in Moonlight Stage Productions\u2019 \u201cGuys and Dolls.\u201d (Karli Cadel)<\/p>\n
The lavishly staged production has more than 30 performers, including an exceptional and highly athletic dance ensemble choreographed by Bill Burns. The dance scenes, particularly the two second-act numbers \u201cSit Down, You\u2019re Rockin\u2019 the Boat\u201d and \u201cLuck Be a Lady,\u201d are outstanding. And the multilayered vocal harmonies coached by music director and conductor Elan McMahan are gorgeous.<\/p>\n
Director Larry Raben delivers all the color, humor and visual playfulness you hope for with this musical, but he also has infused some subtle changes that bring more dimension to the characters, who are sometimes portrayed as foolish stock types.<\/p>\n
Glaudini and Malone play older versions of the perpetually engaged Nathan and Adelaide. Glaudini\u2019s Nathan is a fast-talking wheeler-dealer and Malone\u2019s Adelaide is sweet and optimistic, but worn out after waiting 14 years for a wedding ring. Their comic portrayals contrast nicely with the more naturalistic and serious performances of Cummings and Neeck as Sky and Sarah, who fall in love despite their differences.<\/p>\n
![\"Bets](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sut-l-stage-guysanddolls2.jpg\")
Bets Malone as Miss Adelaide,eft, and Alessa Neeck as Sarah Brown in Moonlight Stage Productions\u2019 \u201cGuys and Dolls.\u201d (Karli Cadel)<\/p>\n
Chase Lowary is a scene-stealer as the gambler Nicely-Nicely Johnson. He has one of the best voices in the cast and delivers beautifully in the showstopper \u201cSit Down, You\u2019re Rockin\u2019 the Boat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ralph Johnson is a standout as soft-spoken, grandfatherly missionary Arvide Abernathy, a role he has played more than once around San Diego. DeAndre Simmons is comically menacing as ruthless Chicago gambler Big Jule. Michael Paternostro and Greg Nicholas have fun as wise guys Benny Southstreet and Harry the Horse, respectively. And as General Cartwright, Meghan O\u2019Brien Lowery amusingly expands the usually buttoned-down missionary boss character.<\/p>\n
The show features rented costumes and scenery, and original projection videos designed by Austin Dycus that add visual pizzazz to the show. Thomas Yurick designed lighting, Jim Zadai designed sound and Peter Herman designed hair and wigs.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuys and Dolls\u201d is great show for Moonlight audiences. Its story is G-rated, so it\u2019s family-friendly, and its consistently funny book, energetic choreography and great songs will appeal to all ages.<\/p>\n
\u2018Guys and Dolls\u2019<\/p>\n
When: 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Through Aug. 29<\/p>\n
Where:\u00a0Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista<\/p>\n
Tickets:\u00a0$21-$71<\/p>\n
Phone:\u00a0760-724-2110<\/p>\n