MUSCATINE, Iowa — It’s the classic love story of a good girl who falls for the bad guy in hopes of reforming him, or — conversely — the tale of a gambler who makes a bet and wins love.

The New Era Dinner Theater troupe will perform its 16th annual charity dinner theater this month with its production of “Guys and Dolls.”

The musical, originally performed on Broadway in 1950 and made into a Hollywood movie in 1955, was written by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. The local rendition is directed by Bill Turner, with musical direction provided by Anita Zahniser.

Turner describes the musical comedy as, “easy entertainment, with fun music and well-known songs.” He adds that the musical is again on Broadway.

Zahniser, New Era’s musical director for 14 years, has wanted to do the musical for many years.

“I just love Frank Loesser as a composer. I think he’s a great lyricist. His music isn’t just rhythmically fun, but it’s lyrically fun too. I like the score.” Some familiar tunes in “Guys and Dolls” include: “Luck be a Lady”, “A Bushel and a Peck”, and “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.”

Jon Carlson, area vocalist with Three Guys with Soule and the Muscatine Civic Chorale, portrays Nicely Nicely Johnson. He says “Guys and Dolls” will be his third musical at New Era Theater.

Of the musical’s score, he said, “Frank Loesser is a wonderful composer with very singable melodies. The music has some

unexpected harmonic twists that make it interesting. After you hear it you realize it had to be that way.”

Zahniser adds that the script is a good one, too.

“It’s a great story about redemption. I love people having second chances.”

The story is about Sarah Brown, an uptight “doll” who is on a mission to save the sinners of Times Square, and Sky Masterson, a gambler wooing Sarah on a bet who winds up getting bit by the love bug. Adelaide is the sickly nightclub performer who has been engaged to longtime craps runner Nathan Detroit for 14 years.

Jenni Boldt plays Sarah Brown. She calls the part a departure from her normal roles in community theater.

“She’s different because she’s a grown-up. I usually play girls taken from boyfriends, usually victims. She’s (Sarah Brown) pretty prim, proper, and holier than thou.”

Rob Minder plays Harry the Horse, one of the gamblers who favors craps. Minder says he enjoys participating in New Era Theater for the causes it supports. Proceeds from the night of dinner and entertainment will benefit Lutheran World Relief, Muscatine Center for Social Action, and the New Era Lutheran Church.

“The money for charity, that’s why it’s on my radar. Plus, we get leftovers.”

Details

Cast

Jon Carlson as Nicely Nicely Johnson

Jenni Boldt as Sarah Brown

Rob Minder as Harry the Horse

Jason Platt as Nathan Detroit

Tracy Pelzer-Timm as Adelaide

Adam Peters as Sky Masterson

Nick Oswald as Bennie Southstreet

Chris Weber as Big Jule

David Wettach as Arvide Abernathy

Bonnie Marburger as Gen. Carwright

The play also features extras portraying gamblers, showgirls and members of the Save-a-Soul Mission band.

There will also be a live pit band featuring area musicians Bob Danner, Bob Romza, Adam Turner and Dave Hanson.

The play

What: “Guys and Dolls”

Where: New Era Community Building at 3455 New Era Road (next to the Wild Cat Den State Park’s entrance.

When: 7 p.m. Friday, May 22; Saturday, May 23; Friday, May 29; Saturday,

May 30, and Sunday, May 31.

Dinner: A dinner of roast pork tenderloin, parsley potatoes, rolls, vegetable, salad, dessert, and beverage is served at 6 p.m. The show will begin at 7 p.m.

Cost: Tickets are $21 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. They can be ordered from Maxine Stark at 563-263-5255 or Nancy Henke at 563-263-0881.