Welcome To Our Web Site!

Our 2010 Summer Production is the
Frank Loesser musical

Guys And Dolls

Nathan & Nicely Analyze the Racing Form
(Photo Courtesy of Constance Schiano)

About Guys And Dolls
Loosely based on the characters created by writer Damon Runyon, Guys and Dolls is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. The musical features the inspired music and lyrics of Frank Loesser and a cast of vivid characters: Sarah Brown, the Salvation Army Mission reformer; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, desperate to find a spot for his floating crap game. The original Broadway production won eight Tony Awards, including Best Music, Authors and Composer and Lyricist Frank Loesser. It also won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. The film version had the highest box-office gross of 1955. The 1992 production won a Tony for Best Revival.

"..the genius of Guys and Dolls was to portray them (the gangsters, gamblers, show girls) without glamour, and the genius of Loesser was to characterize them musically with candor and relish. There was not a commonplace or superfluous song in the score. Each song expressed both the structure and the pith of the story.. Guys and Dolls was a carnival of shoddy Broadway innocents lost in a furtive but fabulous world." --Brooks Atkinson, BROADWAY (MacMillan, NY 1970)

Nathan Detroit (Rob Iulo) Ponders His Future with Adelaide
(Photo Courtesy of Constance Schiano)

Online Admission
Theatergoers may now purchase admission online at our Web site. As some of our performances are “sold out,” this allows us to redirect you to an alternate performance date where seats are available.

Please note: This option does not reserve you a specific seat but rather ensures you will have a seat for a specific performance under the general admission guidelines. We use PayPal for the online admission interface and admission purchase. Please print off the PayPal page that describes the specifics of your purchase and bring it with you to the box office for proof of purchase.

Upon completion of your online purchase your name is immediately entered onto the master list held at the box office. If you pre-purchase admission to a performance you may also simply tell the box office attendant your name, number in your party and they will cross reference it with the master list before admitting you.

The Gary-The Olivia Theater
Built in 1982 through the help of actress Patricia Neal, this open-air theater seats 300 people and has been enriching local audiences for over 25 years. Recent productions have included My Fair Lady (2005), The Music Man (2006), Fiddler On The Roof (2007), West Side Story (2008), The Pajama Game (2009) and Guys And Dolls (2010).

The Gary-The Olivia Performing Arts Center            
The Gary-The Olivia Performing Arts Center is a performing arts organization presenting, promoting and fostering excellence in the performing arts through theatrical productions and educational workshops at The Gary-The Olivia Theater on the grounds of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT.

Media Coverage and Attendance
Productions are reviewed by major media outlets in CT. Over 3,000 people attend performances at the Gary-The Olivia Theater each summer.

What the Critic's Are Saying!

The Pajama Game-2009

"The love-at-first-sight encounter between Plant Superintendent Sid Sorokin and the head of the union's grievance committee, Babe Williams, sets the stage for a series of events that entertain the audience with show tunes, antics, and some seriously gifted performances."

"While it is hard to single out one performance over another, it would be more difficult to ignore the quality of several scenes and actors. One such moment is when Sorokin, played by Thomas Camm, enthusiastically proclaims his love for union devotee, Babe Williams,
in a rousing rendition of “There Once Was a Man”. He is answered by an equally enamored Williams, played by Katie Keough. The chemistry between these strong, mature voices, backed by the eight piece orchestra, takes the production to a professional level. Whether solo or duet, these lead characters set the bar for their
fellow performers."

"While each cast member is worthy of mention, T. Abram Lee’s portrayal of the Union leader and loveable lecher, Prez, is a joy to watch. Rob Iulo, as a love struck time manager, shows a range of emotion during a therapy session to remedy his uncontrolled jealousy. Sarah Robards cleverly projects her true motives as his tormentor, while trying to soothe the vexed Iulo. And finally, “Steamed Heat”, perhaps one of the most recognized scenes in the original show, was executed with style by Adrienne Camm, and Ashley Moret."

Henry Moore-The Register Citizen

"...a regional theater to be reckoned with."

Jack Sheedy-The Catholic Transcript

What the Critic's Are Saying!

West Side Story - 2008

"The Gary-The Olivia Performing Arts Center has harnessed the energy of a cast of talented young performers to deliver a striking, full out production of this Leonard Bernstein/Arthur Laurents/Stephen Sondheim/Jerome Robbins masterpiece."

"A special plus for a local theater production is the solid, lush and exciting musical support given under the direction of Craig Hartley at
the piano."

"Rob Iulo as Tony and Adrienne Camm as Maria handle their romantic ballads with ease and contribute sympathetic portraits of a couple discovering real love for the first time."

Chesley Plemmons, Theater Critic - The Danbury News-Times


"Acrobatic dancing by the Jets is one of the highlights of
a new production of West Side Story."

"Those who have enjoyed theatrical productions and/or the movie version of West Side Story will not be disappointed in this effort."

"Music Director Craig Hartley leads a nine member pit orchestra who ably handle Bernstein's brilliant score."

Jean Dunn, Voices Weekender

Mailing List
Would you like to be informed about upcoming workshops and  performances at The Gary-The Olivia Performing Arts Center? Are you interested in being involved with our productions in the areas of hospitality, box office and set and lighting design? E-mail your contact information to: info@thegarytheolivia.com and let us know your wishes.

Special Needs
For any special needs regarding performance attendance at The Gary-The Olivia Theater please e-mail us at info@thegarytheolivia.com.


(Entrance-The Gary-The Olivia Theater)