Floor, from left, are : T.J. Batcho (Liver Lips Louie), Tyler Bettker (Lookout), Memphis Clark (Angie the Ox), Dom Griffo (Society Max), Taylor Tussing (Agatha), and Jocelyn Schuster (Calvin). Second row: Zander Hammond (Big Jule), Casen Lemke (Rusty Charlie), Logan Kehr (Nicely Nicely Johnson), Kaitlyn Kelly (Miss Adelaide), Logan Goddard (Nathan Detroit), Drew Reid (Sky Masterson), Raelyn Diebel (Sarah Brown), and Kaela VanNote (General Cartwright). Third row: Colton Gernatt (Benny Southstreet), Colton Davis (Harry the Horse), Gavin Whitcher (Lt. Brannigan), and Sophia DeGolier (Arvidia Abernathy).

The talented students of Gowanda Middle School have been rehearsing for weeks ahead of its production of “Guys and Dolls Jr.” in the district auditorium. Both performances of this family friendly musical are open to the public on Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m.

Presale tickets with reserved seating can be purchased with a small convenience fee on-line through ShowTix4U. Tickets will also be available at the door one hour prior to the performance for $5.00.

Set in New York City, “Guys and Dolls Jr.” follows the adventures of Nathan Detroit as he attempts to collect enough money to set up the crap game of the year, all the while dodging the authorities. Concurrently, his longtime fiance and nightclub performer, Adelade, expresses her sorrow about Nathan not marrying her after being together for 14 years. Nathan singles out high-rolling gambler Sky Masterson for the funds but Sky is busy chasing the moralistic and proper missionary Sarah Brown.

Preparations for this year’s musical are in full swing at Gowanda GMS. Volunteers and students are busy making costumes and props as well. The music room, classrooms, auditorium and hallways have also been alive with lines, lyrics and choreography these past few weeks in preparation for the upcoming show.

“When choosing a show each year, I always look for one that will best feature the outstanding talent we have here, as well as give our students a well-rounded theater education. Following the success of “SpongeBob The Musical: Youth Edition” last year, I knew it was time to honor a classic, “golden age” musical. To appreciate the modern-day musical, we must take time to perform these types of shows, for if they never were created, we wouldn’t have the musicals we have today,” says music teacher and musical director/producer Adam Bett.

“Guys and Dolls Jr.” is a timeless classic, thought of by many as the perfect musical comedy. Running for over 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950, “Guys and Dolls” entertained the masses. Paying homage to the original, “Guys and Dolls Jr.” is sure to please viewers of all ages with catchy and memorable songs such as “Luck be a Lady”, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” and “If I Were a Bell”. Endearing characters, witty dialogue and vivid costuming will keep all in attendance engaged and waiting in anticipation of each scene to come.

“At its core, the show celebrates the timeless story that reminds us that even the most unlikely pairings can find happiness when they open their hearts. As audiences leave the theater, I hope they carry with them the message that love knows no bounds and that redemption is always within reach for those willing to take a chance,” says Bett.

The middle school performers are excited to share the happiness and joy that is sure to come with this musical to families and community members.

“The energy level of our students for this vintage musical has been out of this world,” says GMS Principal Todd Miklas. “For those involved, each student and staff member have dedicated countless hours to make sure they put forth their best performance. It is great seeing their smiles and enthusiasm as they head into practice each and every day.

Truly, the key here, from my perspective, is Mr. Bett and how he hypes the production, launches, organizes, communicates all the particulars, and directs countless moving components from within the production to external, in simply making things come together; absolutely amazing work by this passionate educator!”

THE PERFORMERS

Performing the roles of the the “Guys” include Mayson Chmielewski, Simon Huff, Remy LeBeau, Noah Mullen, Wilberto Negron-Ortiz, Arian Rice, Loki Satterfield, Madex Seeley, Dawson Smith, Brycen Warrior, Andrew Wheat, Matthew Wheat and Anthony Willover.

In the roles as the “Dolls” are Avery Birtchnall, Rinoa Bolen, Althena Boos, Alessandra Castellano, Izabella Dubiel, Delilah Goodemote, Kira Haight, Aubrey Hedges, Alexis Hojnacki, JoRiah Jones, Riley Kysor, Myree Lay, Savannah Maloney, Piper Murdoch, Lily Penvose, Lyla Plandowski, Payton Rindfleisch, Avvery Schmitz, Esme Willover and Lillian Yoder.

Singing and dancing the roles of “The Hot Box Girls” will be Alayna Fish, Lilly Gaskins, Bailey Shields, Raelynn Taber, Daphne Twoguns, MacKenzie York andLuna Zubler.

“Gamblers” will be played by James Griffo, Cael Austin, Pierce Cross, Beau Emery, Jag Gill, Ross Hider, Luke Jones, Rowen Liskow, Dane McNaughton, Lewi Mohawk, Isaiah Weber and Jeremiah Weber.

Performing the roles of “Sinners” will be Clarae Beaver, Avi Braley, Serenity Davis, Onnah Galati, Rori Hales, Payton Jankowski, Scarlett John, Ryland Lemke, Elena Marvin, Zayley Nephew, Ashlyn Ortel, Halia Rivera, Cora Scanlan, Averi Thompson, Kendra Tomczak, Alayna Tussing, Shaaylyn Williams, Madelyn Wurst and Bella Young.

“Members of the Mission Band” will be played Kalie Bellinger, Tessa Bylbie, Autumn Goode, Anna Loving, Lila Pfaffenbach, Addisyn Phair, Skylar Toczek, Niyah Twoguns, Madden Wallschlaeger, Delanie Wright, Sophia Blaszak, Ava Daniels, Tenley Howard, Anyistin MacLeod, Lilah Reid, Anna Schindler, Sophee Seneca and Elise Stevens.

Feature roles include Taylor Tussing as “Agatha” and Memphis Clark as “Angie the Ox”. “Bertha” will be played by Alivia Richter, while “Calvin”will be performed by Jocelyn Schuster. Taking on the role of “General Cartwright” is Kaela VanNote. T.J Batcho will be performing the role of “Liver Lips Louie” and “Martha” will be played by Leah Hilliker.

The role of “Master of Ceremonies” will be played by Grace Carson while Evelyn John will play “Mimi“. Casen Lempke will take on the role of “Rusty Charlie”. “Street Vendor ” will be performed by Allie Barnes, “Society Max” will be played by Dominik Griffo and “Lookout” by Tyler Betteker. “Brandy Bottle Bates’ ‘ will be performed by Ms. Elizabeth Novoa while Mr. Ian Maginnis will be playing “Scranton Slim”.

“Arvidia Abernathy” will be played by Sophia DeGolier while the dishonest and crooked “Big Jule” will be performed by Zander Hammond. Colton Davis will be taking on the role of tough guy ” Harry the Horse” while Gavin Whitcher will be playing the no- nonsense “Lieutenant Brannigan”. High-spirited and the nicest of the gamblers, “Nicely-Nicely Johnson” will be performed by Logan Kehr. Benny Southstreet will be played by Colton Gernatt.

Rounding out the feature roles are Kaitlyn Kelly as the outspoken and lovesick “Miss Adelaide”, Logan Goddard as the good-hearted yet scheming ” Nathan Detroit”, Raelyn Diebel as the straightlaced “Sarah Brown” and Drew Reid as the suave “Sky Masterson.”

Article by Erin Browning, GMS sixth-grade teacher & musical producer