Members of the Guys and Dolls cast, from left to right: Charlie Clark, Madeline Trumble, Sara Masterson, Shad Hanley and Matthew Hall. Photo: Rich Ryan Photography
The classic musical marks Tamara Kangas Erickson’s directorial debut, opening February 20.
Since becoming the president and the artistic director for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres last April, Tamara Kangas Erickson, of Prior Lake, has stepped confidently into a new creative chapter, preparing to direct the next performance at the theater. “I felt we needed a classic, one that hadn’t been done here in some time, and I kept coming back to Guys and Dolls, which recently had a successful West End production and a really exciting staging at the Sydney Opera House, that received stellar reviews and audience response,” Erickson says.
Erickson had big shoes to fill after the unexpected passing of the previous president and artistic director, Michael Brindisi. With passion and determination to keep the theater secure, she has focused on building trust and easing sadness as the theater continues to transition. “We formed some close bonds in those early days,” Erickson says. “And even though I had been on Michael’s creative team for so many years, my relationship with each of them was about to change, too. It was time very well spent. A lot of powerful collaboration took place, trust was formed and the ideas began to flow.” Following the flow of ideas, Erickson, along with the creative team, began the production for Guys and Dolls in June of 2025. Mark King, her longtime choreographic collaborator, will now serve as the assistant to the director, and Linda Talcott Lee joins the production as the co-choreographer.
For audiences unfamiliar with the show, Guys and Dolls is a lively blend of musical and comedic elements, filled with dancing and romance set against the backdrop of New York City. The story follows Nathan Detroit, a charming but perpetually broke gambler trying to find a location for his illegal crap game. Meanwhile, Detroit’s longtime girlfriend, Miss Adelaide, grows increasingly frustrated with their 14-year-long engagement with no wedding date in sight. Desperate for money, Detroit reaches out to Sky Masterson for help, whose own story unfolds as he bets on winning over the mission worker, Sarah Brown.
The Guys and Dolls performance will feature many iconic songs including Luck Be a Lady, A Bushel and a Peck and Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat. The musical began its preview performances on February 13, and the official opening is set for February 20. Guys and Dolls will run until September with eight performances weekly. Evening performances will run Tuesdays through Sundays and daytime performances are every Wednesday and Saturday.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
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