Some Guys and Dolls With Panache, Energy

Alfred Damon Runyon was a real hellion when he was growing up in Colorado, a juvenile delinquent of the first order. He never forgot those days when he eventually became a famous New York newspaperman, and later one of the country’s top short-story writers.

Though his fictional turf was Times Square, many of his characters were based on thugs and gangsters he knew as a kid out West. He had a deep affection for those on the edge of the law, and that fondness shows in his writing.

Maybe his most famous ne’er-do-well is Sky Masterson, a character who also impressed the legendary Frank Loesser when he and book writers Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows gathered some Runyon tales into their hit musical “Guys and Dolls.”

That same affection runs through director Eli Simon’s staging of the show at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Masterson, Nathan Detroit, their pals and their gals come to life here with panache and energy. If some of the timing during dialogue scenes is sometimes a tad slow, it’s made up for in the sparkle the company provides Loesser’s score.

Musical director Dennis Castellano is one of those conductors who knows how to get the authentic sound of a Broadway pit band out of an orchestra, with all the edgy excitement and animation of old Broadway shows.

Runyon’s hoods are not evil people at heart. They just live in their own world, a sort of fantasy gangland that amused Runyon. The ultimate gambler Masterson is an example. He wouldn’t hurt a flea, but he’d bet on where that flea would land next. He’d also bet that he could take as innocent a doll as the Salvation Army’s Sgt. Sarah Brown to Havana for dinner.

If Joe Osheroff’s Masterson is not as distinct a perverse hero as he might be, Osheroff does have the vocal equipment to put over Masterson’s tunes. With the exception of “My Time of Day,” Osheroff handles the songs easily.

Erin Crouch--who wisely plays Sarah Brown at the beginning with just a hint that there’s more fun in her than is apparent--has a lovely, soaring soprano; she can belt out a song as well as caress it.

As Masterson’s fumbling pal Nathan Detroit, Neil David Seibel is a delight, in fine voice and with a good sense of his character’s comic subtext.

The highlight of the show is the marvelously funny Miss Adelaide, played by Beth Malone. She uses Adelaide’s standard squeaky, grating voice but gives strong indication there’s more behind the sound than meets the ear. On top of that is her instinctive comic flair, flashing double takes and imaginative detail.

Another standout is Jason Michael Spelbring, who plays Benny Southstreet with a distinct vocal strength and an infectious sense of humor.

Though his voice is not as overpowering as it should be, Keith David Dillon’s Nicely-Nicely Johnson--particularly in his rousing “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” during the gangsters’ prayer meeting--is bumptious and funny, especially when joined by Cynthia Beckert’s crotchety Gen. Cartwright and her hilarious soprano obbligato.

As Sarah’s uncle Arvide Abernathy, Greg Ungar has a delightful moment in his gentle, touching treatment of “More I Cannot Wish You.”

“Guys and Dolls,” Irvine Barclay Theatre, UC Irvine. Wednesday-Friday, 8 p.m.; special ArtsWeek gala Saturday, 7:30 p.m. $15-$18 (gala $35-$50). (949) 854-4646. Running time: 3 hours.

Joe Osheroff: Sky Masterson

Erin Crouch: Sarah Brown

Neil David Seibel: Nathan Detroit

Beth Malone: Miss Adelaide

Jason Michael Spelbring: Benny Southstreet

Keith David Dillon: Nicely-Nicely Johnson

Greg Ungar: Arvide Abernathy

Cynthia Beckert: General Cartwright

A Drama at UCI Mainstage production of the Frank Loesser musical. Directed by Eli Simon. Scenic design: Kenneth J. Verdugo. Lighting design: Tom Ruzika. Sound design: Adam Fillius. Costume design: Becca Shea. Stage manager: Melissa Somrack.