Take 'Another Roll of the Dice'

Filled with colorful Runyonesque slang, "Another Roll of the Dice" opened to a full house Saturday, July 13, in Solana Beach.

North Coast Repertory presented the world premiere of this imaginative creation by Mark Saltzman, who was in attendance on opening night.

Saltzman's distinguished career started in New York working with Jim Henson. While garnering seven Emmy's for his work on the Public Broadcasting Service series, "Sesame Street," he was also writing for Soho Rep theater company in New York City.

Fast forward: recently a Damon Runyon Estate spokesperson reached out to Saltzman to determine his level of interest in developing a new show based on more of Runyon's work. He said "yes" and accepted the challenge. Hoping for the same magic pairing as in "Guys and Dolls," Saltzman's next step was to contact Frank Loesser's widow for permission to use his music and lyrics.

Saltzman's vision of Runyon's "desperate characters of the underworld" are lifted from the page and spring to life. "Another Roll of the Dice" is filled with dashing and dangerous guys coupled with their alluring dolls speaking Runyonesque vernacular. All six of the characters are brought to life by this brilliant cast of performers playing multiple roles.

Three stories wind together. The first plot develops at Mindy's Deli in "Runyonland," in New York City. Mob boss Haystack Duggler is finalizing his plan to knock-off a nearby candy warehouse except his get-away driver didn't show up for the meeting. Unknowingly, Tobias Tweeney, a local nobody, stumbles into the backroom where Haystack asks him, "Do ya know how to drive?"

Tobias answers, "Yeah, I have a New Jersey driver's license."

Sarah Errington plays Zelma the waitress at Mindy's Deli. She shines in this role. Her snarky attitude and beautiful voice zigzag from one character to the next showcasing her talent even while she resorts to audience participation.With legs to envy, Allison Spratt Pearce, playing Georgia St. George and others, sparkles with sass and sex appeal. Her comedic timing is spot on.

The gentlemen are well represented in their multiple characterizations too. In voice and performance quality, they all deserve high praise. Lance Carter's main character is Jabez Thursday. His portrayals are engaging, and his singing is above reproach.In his first professional U.S. debut, Canadian tenor Elliot Lazar plays Tobias Tweeney. After associating with the made-guys Tweeney is later known as Tobias "The Terrible" Tweeney. Tweeney admits he is new to drinking and followed by this one is his "first, second drink."

One of Jason Maddy's roles is Haystack Duggler. Along with his other nefarious characters he is formidable. Darrick Penny plays Ledge Dugan. The soft-hearted guy who is trying to go straight because he loves his wife. Penny plays each part like a perfectly fitting suit.

Larry Sousa directed this gifted cast as they embrace each of their multiple characters straight on.

Saltzman's story meanders through a maze of situations, plots and subplots, the journey is a delightful one although somewhat confusing. The title suggests a continuation of the "Guys and Dolls" storyline about floating dice games, but "Another Roll of the Dice" doesn't even have a pair of dice onstage.

Perhaps director Larry Sousa can have Duggler roll them through his fingers as a prop, because somebody needs to play to the title, or change it.

"Another Roll of the Dice" runs until Aug. 11, at North Coast Repertory, 965 Lomas Sante Fe, in Solana Beach. It is an easy 50-minute drive from Fallbrook down Interstate 5. The theater offers lots of free parking. The box office can be reached at (858) 481-1055 or http://www.northcoastrep.org. Still needing a bit of refining, this show is rated 9 out of 10.

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal can be reached at [email protected].