Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the first production of its 2025 season, Guys and Dolls, in the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, March 6 - 30, 2025. Guys and Dolls, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, is directed by Sasha Gerritson, choreographed by Clayton Cross and music directed by Linda Madonia. The schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, March. 6 at 7:30 p.m. with a press opening Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., with additional performances on Saturdays, Mar. 15, Mar. 22 and Mar. 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now on sale from $19.50 to $106 with tickets for guests 25 years old and younger available at half-price at MusicTheaterWorks.com or by calling the Music Theater Works box office at the North Shore Center, 847.673.6300. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more by contacting 847.920.5360.
Music Theater Works’ season kicks off with what many believe is the “perfect musical” with every song in its score a part of the American musical canon. Guys and Dolls whisks audiences from Manhattan to Havana and back again with career gambler Sky Masterson, “Save-A-Soul” missionary Sarah Brown, Adelaide, Nathan Detroit and others in this exuberant, big, brassy musical. Join Music Theater Works at the Hot Box Club onstage for an unforgettable time.
The cast of Guys and Dolls includes, in alphabetical order: Brandon Acosta (he/him, Liver Lips/Ensemble/US Nathan Detroit/fight and intimacy captain); Jordan Beyeler (she/her, swing); Kristin Brintnall (she/her, Miss Adelaide); Caron Buinis (she/her, General Cartwright); Jeffrey Charles (he/him, Sky Masterson); Jenny Couch (she/her, ensemble); Emma Jean Eastlund (she/her, ensemble); Andrew Freeland (he/him, Big Jule/ensemble); David Geinosky (he/him, Benny Southstreet/ensemble/US Nicely Nicely); Joe Giovannetti (he/him, ensemble/US Sky Masterson); Isabella Gomez-Barrientos (she/her, Agatha/ensemble/US Sarah Brown); Ben Harmon (he/they, Angie The Ox/ensemble); Emily Holland (she/her, ensemble/US Miss Adelaide); Cecilia Iole (she/her, Sarah Brown); Dee Kimpel (she/her, Martha/ensemble/US General Cartwright); Kyle Kite (he/him, ensemble); Miguel Long (he/him, Rusty Charlie/ensemble); Cary Lovett (he/him, Nicely Nicely Johnson/US Arvide Abernathy); Matthew Millin (he/him, swing); Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor (she/her, ensemble); Adam Raso (he/him, Harry the Horse/ensemble/US Lt. Brannigan); Ian Reed (he/him, Lt. Brannigan); Callan Roberts (he/him, Nathan Detroit); Peter Ruger (he/him, Calvin/ensemble/US Big Jule); Bob Sanders (he/him, Arvide Abernathy) and Alex Villaseñor (he/him, ensemble/Non-Equity Deputy)
Guys and Dolls’ creative team is Sasha Gerritson (she/her, director); Clayton Cross (he/him, choreographer); Linda Madonia (she/her, music director); Amber Wutke (she/her, intimacy and violence choreographer); Kathy Logelin (she/her, dialect coach); Rachel Rock (she/her, stage manager); Ethan Colish (he/him, assistant stage manager); Ben Lipinski (any with respect, scenic designer); Nga Sze Chan (she/her, properties designer), Bob Kuhn (he/him, costume designer); Kristen Brinati (she/her, wardrobe head); Alice Salazar (she/her, hair/wig/makeup co-designer); Melanie Saso (she/her, hair/wig/makeup co-designer); Andrew Meyers (he/him, lighting designer); Forrest Gregor (he/him, sound designer); Kimberly Carbone (she/her, production sound engineer) and Andersonville Scenic Studios (scene shop).
“Behind the Curtain with Thomas M. Shea”
Immediately following the Sunday, March 9 and March 16 matinees, audiences may join musical theater historian Thomas M. Shea, author of “Broadway’s Most Wanted,” for a post-show talk exploring the behind-the-scenes history of Guys and Dolls.
Binny’s Broadway Lounge
Music Theater Works’ Donors of any level and subscribers are welcome to access Binny’s Broadway Lounge before the performance and at intermission of Guys and Dolls. Binny’s Broadway Lounge, sponsored by Binny’s Beverage Depot, is located on the second floor at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie and offers complimentary drinks and snacks and does not require reservations. The Lounge is available during Guys and Dolls, Saturday, March 8 (opens at 6:30 p.m.) and Saturday, March 15 (opens at 1 p.m.).
ASL Interpreted Performance
The Saturday, Mar. 22 at 7:30 p.m. performance will be ASL interpreted.
ABOUT SASHA GERRITSON, DIRECTOR
Sasha Gerritson is an opera and musical theater stage director who directs shows for many local and regional companies. Most recently having directed the critically acclaimed Music Theater Works’ production of Carousel, in addition to previous Music Theater Works’ shows Brigadoon and Irving Berlin's White Christmas, she is proud to return for Guys & Dolls. Known for her expertise in the standard repertoire, Gerritson is also a highly sought after opera director, having most recently directed Puccini's Manon Lescaut and Il Assassinio Nella Cattedrale for The Opera Festival of Chicago, where she serves as general director. In addition to her work as a stage director, Gerritson is a choral conductor and serves as the director of Music Ministries for the Park Ridge Community Church. Previous work as a choral conductor included positions with the Chicago Children's Choir and Merit School of Music. Gerritson is a proud board member of Music Theater Works, in addition to The Goodman Theatre, the Brookfield Zoo and DePaul University, where she serves as vice chair of the Board of Trustees. She served as the opera and music theatre director of Northeastern Illinois University from 2010-2022, has directed for Musica Nelle Marche (Urbino, Italy), Opera Piccola, DePaul University, the Cherub Music Theatre program for Northwestern University, in addition to various other summer programs in the area. She lives in Glenview with her husband Eugene Jarvis and their two sons, Nate and Josh.
ABOUT CLAYTON CROSS, CHOREOGRAPHER
Clayton Cross works nationwide as a choreographer, performer and dance instructor. Cross was most recently in the ensemble and dance captain of Rock Of Ages with Mercury Theater Chicago, with Drury Lane in the ensemble and dance captain in Grease as well as in the ensemble in Evita. He most recently choreographed Brigadoon for Music Theatre Works. He was last seen on the Music Theater Works stage as “Scuttle” in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, in the ensemble of Mamma Mia!, as choreographer for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Billy Elliot The Musical. He was choreographer in residence with Music Theater Works under the direction of Rudy Hogenmiller for seven seasons where he choreographed and/or performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as “Benjamin”, Hunchback of Notre Dame, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Into The Woods, Anything Goes as “ensemble”, Pirates of Penzance as “ensemble”, Peter Pan as “Nana/Croc”, Gypsy as “Tulsa”, Mame as “ensemble”, Candide, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Die Fladermanus, The Fantastiks as “Mute,” Damn Yankees as “Eddie” and in A Chorus Line as “Greg” with Porchlight Music Theatre. Cross also performed at Marriott Theatre in La Cage Aux Follies as “Mercedes”. He is an instructor and choreographer for M.A. Dance Nation, a Texas based traveling convention circuit, where he has been choreographing, teaching and judging since 1999. Cross has five times been a consultant and contributed choreography for the Capital One Bowl’s “All American Halftime Show.” Throughout his 25 year career as a dancer he has worked with Robert Battle, Fernando Bujones, Sherry Zunker, Paul Taylor and Anne Reinking. Cross’s television credits include “Every Dancer Has a Story,” a PBS special on the River North Chicago Dance Company, where he was a company member for 10 seasons and toured nationally and internationally. He is originally from Midland, Texas where he received his early training from La Petite Dance Co., Coleman Academy and the Midland Community Theatre as a member of the Pickwick Players. He holds a double B.F.A. in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University.
ABOUT LINDA MADONIA, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Linda Madonia is thrilled to be back at Music Theater Works where she has previously music directed Legally Blonde:The Musical, Shrek: The Musical, Mamma Mia! and Camelot. Other recent projects include; Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and Sister Act at Mercury Theater Chicago. Anything Goes, Cabaret and A Chorus Line at Porchlight Music Theatre. Madonia also serves as the contractor for the Chicago Federation of Musicians for Porchlight Music Theatre, Music Theater Works and Teatro Zinzanni. She is the vocal coach for the Master’s Degree program in Music Theatre Pedagogy at Carthage College and owns American Eagle Productions, which has been at the forefront of Theatre Education in the Chicago area for the past 35 years.
Music Theater Works 2025 Season
The 45th season includes Guys and Dolls, March 6 - 30; Fiddler on the Roof, August 7 - 17; Godspell, October 23 - November 16and Annie, December 18, 2025 - January 4, 2026. For more information on the 45th season go to MusicTheaterWorks.com.
ABOUT MUSIC THEATER WORKS
Music Theater Works is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater founded in
1980. During its 45-year history it has presented more than 150 productions and intimate presentations. Music Theater Works is a professional theater company whose mission is to present works for the musical stage including historic repertoire, revitalizing the Golden Age of Broadway and earlier works, celebrating the Great American Songbook and introducing modern classics.
Music Theater Works presents
Guys and Dolls
March 6 - 30
North Theatre
North Shore Center For The Performing Arts In Skokie
9501 Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60077
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Directed by Sasha Gerritson
Choreographed by Clayton Cross
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
Show dates and times:
- Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. – Preview
- Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. – Press Performance
- Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. – Binny’s Broadway Lounge (opens at 6:30 p.m. )
- Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m. – Talk Back with Thomas M. Shea
- Wednesday, March 12 at 2 p.m.
- Friday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. – Binny’s Broadway Lounge (opens at 1 p.m.)
- Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. – Talk Back with Thomas M. Shea
- Wednesday, March 19 at 2 p.m.
- Friday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. – ASL Interpreted
- Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 26 at 2 p.m.
- Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $19.50 to $106, tickets for guests 25 years old and younger are available for half- price.
Music Theater Works Box Office: (847) 673-6300
Website: MusicTheaterWorks.com
Run Time (currently): Two hours and 30 minutes including the intermission.
COMING UP FROM MUSIC THEATER WORKS
GUYS AND DOLLS
North Theatre
March 6 - 30
Press Night: Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m.
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Directed by Sasha Gerritson
Choreographed by Clayton Cross
Music Directed by Linda Madonia
Music Theater Works’ season kicks off with what many believe is the “perfect musical” with every song in its score a part of the American musical canon. Guys and Dolls whisks audiences from Manhattan to Havana and back again with career gambler Sky Masterson, “Save-A-Soul” missionary Sarah Brown, Adelaide, Nathan Detroit and others in this exuberant, big, brassy musical. Join Music Theater Works at the Hot Box Club onstage for an unforgettable time.
The 2025 PRODUCERS GALA
LUCK BE A LADY
Saturday, April 5
Michigan Shores Club
The 2025 Producers Gala, co-chaired by Sasha Gerritson and Stephanie Bryan Kangas, begins at 5 p.m. with a cocktail hour and is followed by a seated dinner, the presentation of the fourth annual Joyce Ruth Saxon Award for Excellence to Marilyn and Robert Arensman, a live auction and entertainment from Music Theater Works’ artists.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Center Theatre
August 7 - 17
Press Night: Friday, August 8 at 7 p.m.
Book by Joseph Stein
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Music by Jerry Bock
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Choreographed by Marla Lampert
Music Directed by Dr. Michael McBride
Fiddler on the Roof shares the happiness and tears of a tight-knit Jewish community in Czarist Russia. Tevye, the town’s milkman, finds the long-held traditions that define his faith and family are threatened by a modern world that is encroaching on his beloved Anatevka. Don’t miss this lush and memorable score as it's performed by Music Theater Works with a stellar cast and full orchestra.
GODSPELL
North Theatre
October 23 - November 16
Press Night: Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
Production Sponsor: Whirled Peas Foundation
In Partnership with Curt’s Cafe
Book by John Michael Tebelak
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Directed by Matthew Silar
Music Directed by Justin Akira Kono
Day by day for more than 50 years, audiences have delighted in this modern musical fable that weaves together music, improv and infectious pop and rock songs. This Godspell finds a fractured and disconnected community gathered at a local diner discovering the transformative power of forgiveness and embracing radical love.
ANNIE
Dec 18, 2025 - Jan 4, 2026
Press Opening: Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Book by Thomas Meehan
Directed by Producing Artistic Director Kyle A. Dougan
Music Directed by Dr. Michael McBride
For more than 100 years, the beloved story of a spunky, red-headed orphan who lands a holiday stay with Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, a billionaire trying to do good has delighted and inspired audiences around the world. Perfect for the holidays and the whole family, Annie, winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written including “Tomorrow,” “NYC,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and others.