Based on The Idyll of Sarah Brown & characters by Damon Runyon
Guys and Dolls is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019 www.MTIShows.com. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Producer
SCERA
Adam J. Robertson
President & CEO
Director
Kurt Elison
Music Director
Kyle Harper
Choreographer
Robbie Cromwell
Stage Manager
Katie Jeffreys
Scenic Designer
Scene Shop Manager
Ethan Harrison
Costume Designer
Deborah Bowman
Properties Designer
Prop Shop Manager
Opal Tolman
Lighting Desinger
Emma Bayless
Sound Designer
Audio Engineer
Master Electrician
Chase Elison
Hair & Makeup
Designer
Rachael Lundberg
Scenic Carpenters
Ethan Harrison
Nick Wilson
Ej Lewis
Max Warren
Ryan McGirr
Scenic Artists
Faith Sage
Blakely Creamer
Brynn Hartley
Sofia Schofield
Strike Crew
Noah Ghent
Brody Guinn
Costume Shop Manager
Kelsey Seaver
Stitchers
Kelsey Seaver
Deborah Bowman
Malena Call
Costume Shop Staff
Crysta Lamb
Malena Call
Props Assistants
Sabrina Jewell
Mable Evans
Sound Assistant
Garrett Tucker
Electrician
Crysta Lamb
Deck Crew
Ethan Harrison
Followspot Operators
Garrett Roblyer
Blakely Creamer
Performance Tracks
Music Theatre International (MTI)
This project is supported by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Cast of Characters
Nicely-Nicely Johnson ............................................... TANNER LYBBERT
Benny Southstreet ..................................................... GABRIEL WRIGHT
Sarah Brown ............................................................. CASSIDY COOPER
Arvide Abernathy .......................................................... JARED POLLOCK
Harry The Horse ................................................................. MIKE KIM (*)
If I Were a Bell............................................................................................................Sarah
Scene 10: Mission
My Time Of Day............................................................................................
Sarah & Sky
I’ve Never Been in Love Before ...................................................................
Sarah & Sky
ACT
II
Scene 1: The Hot Box Nightclub
Take Back Your Mink ............................................................................. Adelaide, Dolls
Adelaide’s Second Lament ...............................................................................Adelaide
Scene 2: A Street Off Broadway
More I Cannot Wish You ....................................................................................... Arvide
Scene 3: Crap Game in the Sewer
The Crapshooter’s Dance
Luck Be a Lady ...................................................................................................Sky, Guys
Scene 4: A Street Off Broadway
Sue Me .................................................................................................................Adelaide
Scene 5: Mission
Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat .................................... Nicely-Nicely, Guys, Dolls
Scene 6: A Street Off Broadway
Adelaide Meets Sarah ........................................................................... Adelaide & Sarah
Marry the Man Today ............................................................................ Adelaide & Sarah
Scene 7: Broadway
The Happy Ending ................................................................................................ Company
NOTE: There is fog used in this production.
Director's Note
By Kurt Elison
When Guys and Dolls premiered on Broadway in 1950, America was stepping into a new era. World War II had ended, cities were booming, and New York was alive with energy. Beneath the bright lights of Broadway and the bustling streets of Times Square existed another world—one of colorful gamblers, sharp-talking hustlers, nightclub singers, and floating crap games that appeared and disappeared before the police could arrive. While organized crime certainly influenced illegal gambling during this period, the everyday gamblers portrayed in Guys and Dolls are less about danger and more about a uniquely theatrical slice of New York life.
Based on the stories of Damon Runyon, the musical introduces us to unforgettable characters who live by luck, loyalty, and larger-than-life personalities. These men and women inhabit a world where every bet carries a story, every corner has a character, and every conversation is filled
with wit and heart. Though their lives revolve around games of chance, the greatest risks they take have nothing to do with rolling dice—they're the risks of falling in love, trusting another person, and discovering that happiness can't always be won with a lucky hand.
One of the reasons Guys and Dolls has remained a beloved classic for more than 75 years is that beneath its humor, dazzling score, and unforgettable choreography lies a timeless truth: people are capable of change. Whether it's a gambler learning commitment, a missionary discovering adventure, or two unlikely souls finding common ground, the story reminds us that love has a remarkable way of transforming even the most unlikely hearts.
It has been a joy to bring this production to life with an extraordinary cast and talented production team. Thank you for joining us tonight and supporting live theatre. We hope you'll laugh often, hum along to the music, and leave reminded that sometimes the biggest gamble in life is opening your heart.
Photos by Jessie Alexis Photography
Cast & Staff Biographies
(in alphabetical order by first name)
ANGELA BRADFORD
(General Cartwright)
Angela is excited to make her SCERA Shell debut with such a fun show. She recently played Helen Armstrong in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical (SCERA). By day, she is a professor of marriage and family therapy at BYU. By night, a wife to the most supportive guy in town and mother to six incredible guys and dolls, one of whom she has the gift of performing with in this production. She thanks Kurt, Robbie, Kyle, and Katie for giving her this opportunity (and for being some pretty cool guys and dolls themselves)!
BEN RENYOLDS
(Big Jule) Ben has performed in many theaters across both Utah and Salt Lake county, most recently in She Loves Me at Lehi Arts, and is excited to return to the SCERA Shell for Guys and Dolls. This show marks a unique full circle moment for Ben, with the Shell being the first place he ever saw a live musical, as well as Guys and Dolls Jr being the first show that he was ever part of! He hopes audiences enjoy a fun evening escape of lighthearted comedy and upbeat musical numbers. Other past favorite roles include Tobias in Sweeney Todd (The Grand Theatre), Mendel in Fiddler on the Roof (SCERA Shell), Oliver Rivers in Puffs (Lehi Arts), and performing in A Christmas Carol (2022) at Hale Center Theater Orem.
CASSIDY COOPER
(Sarah Brown) Cassidy is thrilled to be making her debut on the SCERA Shell stage! Since returning from her service mission in Brazil, Cassidy has been studying Music Dance Theatre at BYU. Some of her previous stage credits include Sandy in Grease, Rosalia in West Side Story, and Rusty (understudy) in Footloose at the Cocoa Village Playhouse in Florida. Cassidy is excited to enter the Utah theatre scene and would like to thank God, her parents, her family, and her friends for their unwavering support and for constantly believing in her.
CHAD TAYLOR
(Nathan Detroit) Chad is thrilled to be spending another summer on the SCERA Shell stage! Last summer he was privileged to play Daddy Warbucks in Annie. Most recently he had the opportunity to play the villain, The Man in the Yellow Suit, in Tuck Everlasting: The Musical at Lehi Arts Council. Other notable credits include Joseph Pulitzer in Newsies (LAC), The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz (SCERA), Escapologist in Matilda: The Musical (LAC), St. John in Jane Eyre: The Musical (Idaho Falls Arts Council), Gideon in Seven Brides, Hugo in Bye, Bye, Birdie, and Aeneas in the opera Dido & Aeneas. Recently, he has been trying his hand at scenic design and construction with Lehi Arts. When Chad’s not on stage, you can find him chilling at home with his wife and 2 dogs, singing whatever pops
into his head, or out trying to soak up some sun while paddle-boarding, running, or doing yard work. Chad would like to thank the production staff for this opportunity to make you all laugh. He’d also like to thank his family for putting up with his acting passion and the time it takes up. He would especially like to thank his wife for helping him learn lines, tolerating him being gone A LOT, and generally dealing with his “weirdness!”
CHASE ELISON
(Sound & Lighting Manager) Chase has been involved in theatre nearly all of his life. He has designed lighting and sound for many productions at the Lehi Arts Center. He has also helped schools and teachers around the valley with training and maintenance on their lighting and sound equipment. As SCERA’s Sound and Lighting Manager, Chase has been designing and leading the technical aspects for nearly a hundred main stage productions and countless other events. Chase loves being a part of the behind-the-scenes magic, and would like to thank his late grandparents for getting him involved in theatre and the arts, his family and partner Matt for being his rock and always supporting him.
DEBORAH BOWMAN
(Costume Designer)
Debbie started singing and acting when she was four years old and has enjoyed the stage ever since, and you've seen her singing in SCERA’s Night of Broadway concerts. Debbie feels blessed to have a high school hobby turn into her dream job
these last 18 years working at the SCERA Costume Shop. She has costume designed many shows, with some favorites being Frozen, Hadestown Teen Edition, Hello, Dolly, Les Mis School Edition, Fiddler on the Roof, Big Fish, Oklahoma, The Play That Goes Wrong,The SpongeBob Musical, Catch Me If You Can, The Drowsy Chaperone, Matilda The Musical, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Newsies. But her favorite role to play is grandma to five beautiful grandbabies, mom to two great kids (and their spouses), and wife to her extremely supportive husband John!
DREW CHRISTENSEN (Lt. Brannigan) Drew is deeply grateful to be in Guys and Dolls! He has been in many productions here at SCERA and has loved them all. This cast has a beautiful, positive, and amazing energy! He also wants to thank all the amazing staff that make these shows possible. The designers, stitchers, builders, tech folks, stage crew, and the volunteers are the true heroes of SCERA! Drew’s amazing family is a support to him always. “Thanks, guys!”
ELLIOT JOHNSON (Rusty Charlie) Elliot is a recent BYU Chemical Engineering graduate from Arlington, MA. Elliot enjoyed participating in the BYU Men’s Chorus in college and numerous musicals since the 8th grade. He is extremely excited to join the SCERA community and perform in Guys and Dolls this summer and hopefully many shows to come!
Cast & Staff Biographies
(in alphabetical order by first name)
EMMA BAYLESS
(Lighting Designer)
Emma is excited to be designing at SCERA again! Recent design credits include Sister Act and Our Town (Texas State University), Fiddler on the Roof and Singin' in the Rain (SCERA), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Once On This Island (Beck Center for the Arts), and The Far Gaze (Sting & Honey Company). She loves to use lighting as a form of storytelling and has a passion for creating beautiful images onstage.
ETHAN HARRISON
(Scenic Designer / Scene Shop Manager) Ethan has been building sets and working backstage at SCERA since 2022, and has proudly worked on every single show since, including set designing Hadestown Teen Edition, The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs and A Peter Rabbit Tale at SCERA. He has always been inspired by the creativity of SCERA's sets, especially on the outdoor stage, so is excited to be building them himself. His love for set construction has been strengthened by his family who have all built many sets alongside him. He is grateful for his Pops and Mrs. Wygant for teaching him the craft as well as his SCERA tech family for their support and camaraderie! "The real credit goes to my amazing staff! You guys all rock!"
GABRIEL WRIGHT
(Benny Southstreet)
Gabe is very excited to be making his debut performance of Guys and Dolls at SCERA Shell this summer. Gabe is a recent graduate with a BFA in Musical Theater from SUU. You may have seen him in productions of A Winter's Tale and The Taming of the Shrew at the Utah Shakespeare Festival (2024), as well as A Christmas Carol at The Ruth (2025), and a ballet of Cinderella with Aspen Ballet Company (2026). Gabe has grown up doing shows in high school at SCERA and he is excited to be performing here once again with old and new friends. He would like to thank his AMAZING production team for their hard work, his castmates for their creativity and camaraderie, and everyone who helped bring this show to life! "Theater is a privilege and I am very grateful for the chance to be a part of it."
JACOB BENSON
(Sky Masterson) Jacob is excited to be back for his 5th production on the SCERA Shell stage! Previous credits include Hello Dolly, Matilda, The Music Man, and Peter Pan. He also performed with the BYU Ballroom Touring Company and has spent 12 years competing in ballroom dance. Jacob is currently studying Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in Biomechanical Engineering at the University of Utah. He would like to thank the incredible production team for all of their hard work and everyone who came out to support the show.
JARED POLLOCK
(Arvide Arbernathy)
Jared is excited to be back on stage for Guys and Dolls! He has loved performing for more than 20 years, with favorite productions including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oliver!, and most recently Tuck Everlasting. After taking time away from the stage to focus on raising five amazing kids with his wonderful, supportive wife, he's grateful to be performing again. Thanks to his family for always betting on him—and for making sure he makes it to rehearsal on time!
KATIE JEFFREYS
(Stage Manager) ) Katie is thrilled to be stagemanaging Guys & Dolls. Katie has been involved in technical theater and with SCERA since she was 11, a place she lovingly calls her second home. Over the last year, she’s also had the joy of stage managing A Christmas Story (SCERA), Crazy for You (SCERA Shell), Daddy Long Legs (Lehi Art Center), and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Lehi Arts Center). She’s loved every second, even the challenging moments! She is deeply grateful to Kurt, Kyle, Robbie, and the amazing cast for this wonderful opportunity. Katie would also like to point your attention to the set design for this production as this particular one holds a special place in her heart. Lastly, she would like to thank her real and tech families for their unwavering support. “Love you all!”
KURT ELISON
(Director) Kurt has been performing on stage since childhood and is delighted to be part of this production alongside such a talented cast and crew. He has a deep love for the Golden Age musicals and is excited to share this beautiful production with audiences. This year, Kurt has stayed busy building sets and directing productions at the Lehi Arts Center. His directing credits include Tuck Everlasting: The Musical (LAC), The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical (SCERA), Hello, Dolly! (SCERA Shell), A Christmas Story (SCERA), Fiddler on the Roof (SCERA Shell), Bright Star (LAC), Big Fish (LAC), Damn Yankees (LAC), The Drowsy Chaperone (LAC), Clue (LAC), Wait Until Dark (LAC), Blithe Spirit (LAC), She Loves Me (LAC), See How They Run (LAC), Beauty and the Beast (LAC), And Then There Were None (LAC), and The Mousetrap (LAC). Kurt extends his heartfelt thanks to his family—especially his wife, Kathi—for their constant love and support.
KYLE HARPER
(Music Director) Kyle is so excited to be working for SCERA on this production of Guys and Dolls! Kyle has been music directing for HCTO/ The Ruth for 6 years and has music directed for the Lehi Arts Council and HCT. Most recently, Kyle had the pleasure to music direct Frozen here at the Shell this past June! Kyle has earned both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Music Education and is currently the choir teacher at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain. Kyle is grateful to his wife, Shani, and his children, Zoe and Heath—he couldn’t have done this without their support.
Cast & Staff Biographies
(in alphabetical order by first name)
MIKE KIM
(Harry the Horse / Dance Captain) Mike is excited to return to SCERA for yet another summer at the Shell! An Orem native, he has performed at the Shell since his high school days in 2007. After a twelve year break to study dance at BYU and start a career as a software engineer, Mike returned to the stage as the Mayor of Finland in Spamalot at SCERA. He has since performed and been assistant choreographer in many productions across the valley. He loves community theater and even met his beautiful wife at an audition and got to perform with her last year in Hello, Dolly here at the Shell. Her love and support is what inspires him to keep performing even when his back wishes he’d get out of the spotlight.
OPAL TOLMAN
(Properties Designer / Prop Shop Manager)
After having worked both behind the scenes and on stage in many of SCERA’s previous productions, Opal stepped into the role of props/scenic designer for several local theater companies, and truly fell in love with the artistry and storytelling of the design process. “SCERA has given me so much over the years, and I feel overwhelmingly grateful for the chance to give back in this role. I'm excited to keep learning, support the amazing artists here, and to help bring our magical productions to life." Previous behind the scenes works
include: Matilda The Musical, Frozen The Musical, School of Rock: The Musical, Hadestown Teen Edition and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (SCERA), The Crucible (Props/ Scenic Designer), Twelfth Night (Props/ Scenic/Costume Designer), Julius Caesar (Props/Scenic Designer).
RACHAEL LUNDBERG (Hair & Makeup Designer)
As a mom of three boys and a wife to a husband, theater hair is my ultimate creative outlet! I have absolutely loved being a part of SCERA and bringing such iconic characters to life. The theater is truly where I have found my home, and I'm so grateful to share that magic with this incredible cast and audience."
ROBBIE CROMWELL (Choreographer) Robbie is thrilled to choreograph Guys and Dolls at the Shell! This is Robbie’s fourth year spending his summer here and he loves this venue. Robbie began performing in middle school—primarily in ballroom dance but also acted in and contributed choreography to a few theater productions. After spending many years focused on performance and competition in the ballroom world, Robbie returned to theater in 2023 and is now both an actor and choreographer. Before Guys and Dolls, his recent choreographic works include The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical and Hello, Dolly! at SCERA.
Other previous choreography contributions include Crazy for You, The Addams Family, Oklahoma!, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Acting credits include Tuck Everlasting (Lehi Arts Center), The Foreigner (Pleasant Grove Players), Cinderella (The Ruth), Crazy for You (SCERA), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (HCTO), The Addams Family (TCT), and Mary Poppins (SCERA). Robbie is so grateful to work with a fantastic production team and for such an amazing cast. “Thank you for the hard work and dedication each of you have put in to make this show a success!”
TANNER LYBBERT
(Nicely-Nicely Johnson)
Tanner is thrilled to make his return to the SCERA stage! Some of his favorite past roles include Albert in Newsies, Flounder in The Little Mermaid, and Peter Pan in Peter and Wendy. He has also appeared in productions of All Shook Up and Fiddler on the Roof, and has performed with the One Voice Children’s Choir. Tanner is grateful for the unwavering support of his family, friends, and mentors, and is excited to be part of such a talented cast and creative
team. Special shout-out to his Mom, Dad, Brodee, Lucy, Ereka, his Courtyard Team, and this production team for their extra support through this process.
TIA TRIMBLE
(Miss Adelaide )Tia is ecstatic to be performing one of her bucket list roles in this show and thankful to the SCERA team for trusting her with this character. Most of Tia’s days and nights are filled with all things theater (either performing or fulfilling responsibilities that are performance-adjacent) as she is the head of department for front-ofhouse at The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater.
Some of Tia’s favorite past roles include Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Alice Beineke in The Addams Family, the title role in Peter Pan, and Martha in The Secret Garden. Tia also gained appreciation for the back side of water during her time spent as a skipper on The World Famous Jungle Cruise at Disneyland. She also has an affinity for anything coconut flavored or scented. Special thanks to the most important people in her life, Richie, Zoe, and Mae.
NOW PLAYING
A partnership with the James & Andrea Clarke Family will allow us to make continued improvements to SCERA Center for the Arts – the first was a complete repainting of the outside of our unique historic venue! The Clarke Grand Theatre is clean, comfortable and elegant – and with a giant 40' x 20' screen, 733 seats and incredible digital projection and sound – our presentation of your favorite feature films is the best around! And, with the best ticket and concession prices in town, we hope you'll support your local independent theatre, where proceeds go back into the community to support SCERA's charitable non-profit artistic mission!
