Events

Program Notes:

Written by BSOC Librarian Lisa Bollman

Damon Runyon (1880–1946), original books and characters
Jo Swerling (1897–1964) and Abe Burrows (1910–1985), playwrights
Frank Loesser (1910–1969), composer and lyricist

Every hotshot gambler in New York City is looking to Nathan Detroit to organize “the oldest established permanent floating craps game” in Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls. But there’s a hitch… Nathan and his crew can’t find a place to hold the game.

Guys and Dolls first premiered on Broadway on November 24, 1950. Based on two short stories by Damon Runyon, the show follows Nathan and his rag-tag crew as they gamble everything to finance their beloved craps game. The cast, a variety of saints and sinners, includes Miss Sarah Brown, the cold missionary who is in desperate need of sinners; Sky Masterson, the suave gambler who takes Nathan’s $1,000 bet that he cannot get Sarah to go with him to Havana; and Miss Adelaide, the Hot Box Nightclub dancer who is literally sickened by her prolonged engagement to Nathan. These characters are brought to life with the music and lyrics of Frank Loesser. Many of Loesser’s songs from the show have become much-loved standards, including “Luck Be a Lady,” “If I Were a Bell,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”

The original production of Guys and Dolls ran for 1,200 performances and won the 1951 Tony Award for Best Musical. It would have won the 1951 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, but Abe Burrows’ troubles with the House Un-American Activities Committee prompted the Trustees of Columbia University to veto the selection, and no Pulitzer for Drama was awarded that year. Since the musical first opened, there have been over ten revivals of the show, and a 1955 Oscar-nominated film adaptation starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, and Vivian Blaine.

Guys and Dolls prove that, in the midst of high-stakes bets, floating craps games, and mission meetings, the biggest gamble one can take is on love.

Cast

JESSICA SOZA | SARAH BROWN

Jessica Soza is an artist, and coach based in San Diego, CA. Her passion as a teacher and performer has led her to develop a holistic approach to teaching voice that reconnects a performer to their soul and spirit when producing sound. She teaches voice professionally in academia and has a private practice. Training includes an MFA in Acting & Performance Pedagogy from California State University, Long Beach, and a BA in Music Vocal Performance from California State University, San Bernardino.

She is most notably known for performing Maria in the International Tour of West Side Story, on opera stages in London, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Israel, and Switzerland, until returning to Southern California to settle. Regionally, she performed Maria with San Diego Musical Theater, and in concert with Battle Creek Symphony in Michigan.

She is scheduled to return to the role of Maria in a West Side Story Concert Version with Billings Symphony Orchestra this May 2021 conducted by Anne Harrigan.

ROBERT ARIZA | SKY MASTERSON

Robert Ariza made his Broadway debut in the Deaf West Theater revival of Spring Awakening. He played Marius in the national tour of Les Misérables and was in the ensemble of the Chicago company of Hamilton, understudying the role of Alexander Hamilton. He is also featured on the original cast recording of Neil Bartram & Brian Hill’s The Theory of Relativity.

Robert is a recipient of the 2013 Roger Sturtevant Award from the Actor’s Equity Association for his outstanding abilities in musical theatre. He also received the Lys Symonette Award in the 2014 Lotte Lenya Competition sponsored by the Kurt Weill Foundation. 

Robert has worked regionally across the country at Goodspeed Theatre, Music Theatre Wichita, Hangar Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, and Olney Theatre Center. He has sung backup for Josh Groban and has also performed in several concerts at Feinstein’s 54 Below, Birdland Jazz Club, Ars Nova, and more. 

You can follow Robert on Instagram (@robertariza), Twitter (@bobertariza), TikTok (@bobertariza) and robertariza.com

DESIRÉE DAVAR | MISS ADELAIDE

Desirée Davar DA delighted to be making her Billings Symphony debut. BROADWAY: West Side Story Revival in the role of Anita. OFF-BROADWAY/TOUR: West Side Story International Tour as Anita, Where’s Charley? at NY City Center Encores! REGIONAL: Anita in West Side Story at The Ordway and with the Battle Creek Symphony in Michigan, Sally Bowles in Cabaret at MTC, Erma in Anything Goes at Goodspeed Opera House; Tiger Lily in Peter Pan at PCLO, West Side Story, and Peter Pan at Sacramento Music Circus; Can-Can and Kiss Me, Kate, at Paper Mill Playhouse; Velma Kelly in Chicago at Village Theatre; Annie at The Northshore Music Theatre; Evita at Maltz Jupiter Theatre; White Christmas at the Denver Center. FILM: Annie. TELEVISION: Glee, 30 Rock. She is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Desirée is one-half of Superheroes in Love with her husband Nicolas Dromard. They sing, dance, and act together in their critically acclaimed two-person show. First created in 2015, Superheroes in Love started as an autobiographical story of how the couple met, fell in love, and are real-life superheroes. Follow them on Instagram @SuperheroesinLove or go to www.SuperheroesinLove.com.

Her favorite role to date is Mama to her beautiful daughter, Zélia. Follow her on Instagram @DesireeDavarDromard 

NICOLAS DROMARD | NATHAN DETROIT

Nicolas Dromard is ecstatic to be making his Billings Symphony debut. BROADWAY: Jersey Boys (Tommy DeVito), Mary Poppins (Bert), The Boys from Oz, Oklahoma; REGIONAL: Wicked (Fiyero), Chicago (Billy Flynn), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), Cabaret (Clifford Bradshaw opposite his wife!), Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), White Christmas (Phil Davis, where he met his wife…); NATIONAL TOUR: Jersey Boys (Tommy DeVito), Mary Poppins (Bert), Mamma Mia!, Wicked. Favorite Role: Father to the show-stealing, sweet and adorable Zélia Dromard!

Nicolas is one-half of Superheroes in Love: an Evening of Song and Dance with his wife, Desirée Davar. They sing, dance, and act together in their critically acclaimed two-person show, which, during this time, has evolved into a bi-monthly online variety hour!

For more information, go to www.SuperheroesinLove.com, www.NicolasDromard.com. @SuperheroesinLove, @NDromard.

KORIE LEE BlOSSEY | NICELY-NICELY JOHNSON

Making his Billings Symphony debut, Korie is excited to be a part of this beautiful experience! Last seen as The Genie on The 1st National tour of Disney’s Aladdin, Nicely-Nicely has always been a dream role. Some other favorites include Kerchak (Tarzan), Audrey II Voice (Lil Shop), Caliban (Tempest). Thank You to this Phenomenal Company, Cast, Crew and Musicians, Irene, DDO Artists Agency, and all of you for sharing this journey. Keep The Dream Alive! Tag me @KorieLeeBlossey (FB & Insta)

COLIN MCADOO | BENNY SOUTHSTREET

Colin Campbell McAdoo is beyond grateful to be returning to perform with The Billings Symphony for the third time. Colin has sung around the world from Carnegie Hall to The Sydney Opera house With The Philadelphia Boys Choir and Choral. He has also performed with the Bozeman Symphony and Santa Rosa Symphony. Most recently, he was seen in the regional premiere of Jersey Boys at the Ogunquit Playhouse as the male swing and cover for the boys and Dance Captain. He is a proud member of The Transcendence Theatre Company in Sonoma, California, where he has been performing for the last 9 years in their Broadway Under The Stars series. Off-Broadway credits include We The People at The Lucille Lortel Theatre; Soul Doctor at New York Theatre Workshop; Heart to Hart at Lincoln Center. Some regional credits include The Media Theatre, LTOTS, MsMT, Weston Playhouse, The Weathervane Theatre, The Mountain Playhouse, FOGG Theatre. He appeared as Woody in Disney’s Toy Story The Musical and has been seen in multiple shows on the Norwegian Cruise Line at sea as a male swing. He has been the Associate Artistic Director of the musical theatre program at The Benchmark Middle School for the past 12 years and is also a musician singer/songwriter. He attended the TISCH School Of The Arts and NYU studying under Doug LeBrecque. Colin would like to thank Maestro Anne Harrigan for this opportunity and for striving to bring music and people back together. Stay Safe, keep smiling, love to his friends, family, and Aubry. For Ankur. @colinmca2.

QUENTIN “Q” STATON | RUSTY CHARLIE

Q Staton is currently the Choir Conductor/ Theater Director for Lockwood High School and Middle School. He is the director of Pride Performers and The Drama Club at Lockwood as well. He graduated from Montana State University Billings in 2009 and holds degrees in Music Education and Elementary Education.

Q is active in the music community in Billings. Q has sung with Rimrock Opera Company, NOVA Center for the Performing Arts, and Billings Studio Theatre. He recently played the role of the Major General in Pirates of Penzance at Nova Theater. He also sings National Anthems at Billings Mustangs’ games, courthouse ceremonies, and other community events. Q teaches private voice lessons and adjudicates area music festivals. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his wonderful family.

DAREN SMALL | ARVIDE ABERNATHY

Daren Small is a distinguished bass-baritone soloist in the American Northwest. He enjoys sharing his passion for singing, both on stage, in the classroom, and in the voice studio. Small is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). A native of Billings, Montana, Mr. Small was formerly the Director of Choirs at Billings Senior High School. Throughout his entire career, he has enjoyed opportunities to share his “clear and rich-timbered voice” with all audiences.

Mr. Small made his soloist debut at Montana State University during their 2006 performance of Mozart’s ​Requiem​. Since then, he has performed as a soloist in many venues. His most recent operatic appearances include ​Awakenings, Die Zauberflöte​, ​Turandot​, ​Aïda​, ​The Crucible​, Rigoletto​, ​Tosca​, and ​La Bohème​. He is hailed as one of the finest bass soloists to sing Handel’s ​Messiah​. His recent concert appearances include performances of Bach’s ​Mass in B Minor​ and ​St. John Passion​, Stravinsky’s ​Les Noces​, Fauré’s ​Requiem, Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610​ (2020), and Dvořák’s ​Te Deum ​(2020). Small was also a winner of the District Metropolitan Opera National Council (MONC) Auditions for Montana and Idaho in 2015. He won the 3rd place Encouragement Award at the Northwest MONC Finals in 2016.

While earning his Bachelor of Music Education and his Master of Education degrees from Montana State University, Mr. Small developed his passion for performance and teaching. He is an active member of the American Choral Directors’ Association, NAfME, and the VoiceCare Network. He has also served as the Chorus Master for the Rimrock Opera in Billings, Montana. Many reputable soloists and educators have and continue to influence his career, including Tom Baresel, Dennis Rupp, Lowell Hickman, Dr. Jon Harney, Dr. Kirk Aamot, and Dr. Steven Hart.