One of those couples includes floating crap game operator Nathan Detroit and his fiancé of fourteen years, exotic dancer Adelaide. JT Landon is a thoroughly likeable Nathan, an everyman struggling to juggle his crap career and his romantic life, and not juggling either very well, and working well with his counterpart Adelaide. Karina Gillette makes for a perfect Adelaide, with terrific personality, comedy, timing, and vocal work whether she’s lamenting her sniffling psychosomatic symptoms caused by an inordinately long engagement or leading her Hot Box Dolls at the club or breaking things off with Nathan – sort of.

The other couple, or potential couple, is the unlikely pairing of big-stakes gambler Sky Masterson and big-time holy roller Sarah Brown who is determined to save some sinners on the streets of New York City. Jacob Rollins is a gifted actor who captures emotions very well with excellent timing and authenticity, and a terrific voice to boot. Abigail Howe is Sister Sarah, a role that can be tough to stand out in, but she does so with a genuine, believable passion for her cause and for a certain sinner, with gorgeous operatic vocals. And some nice humor in If I Were a Bell after Sister Sarah drank a little too much Bacardi-flavored milk. Together they knock out their duet I’ve Never Been in Love Before, and Abigail joins Karina in a perfect Marry the Man Today (complete with visions of their gambler guys enjoying flower pots and happily cooking in a heart-covered apron).

Performs February 6 - 14, 2009.

Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre

Nicely-Nicely Johnson: