Glenn Rainey, Garth Kravits and Todd Horman open the show.

Musical theater fans will find ”Guys and Dolls,” currently playing at The Music Hall at Fair Park, a good bet for a pleasant evening filled with a fantastic dancing, a classic score and some terrific performances.

The national tour opened Tuesday for a two-week stop featuring a revival of the 1940s tale of gamblers, gansters and showgirls. On Broadway, both the original 1951 musical and the 1992 revival won Tony Awards, so the show’s music and comedy are long-time favorites. Many of the Frank Loesser tunes, from “Luck Be a Lady” to “Bushel and a Peck,” are well known charmers.

For this production, Ben Crawford smoothly commands the stage as Sky Masterson, and actress Megan Sikor’s take on Miss Adelaide is very cute. One of the show’s best performances comes from Glenn Rainey whose Nicely Nicely Johnson literally stopped the show opening night with “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” 

Just like the floating crap game Nathan Detroit works so hard to organize, sometimes the dice come up snake eyes, even on stage. Steve Rosen takes a while to warm up in his role of Nathan Detroit, and Erin Davie’s beautiful voice was nice for the character of Sarah but her stiff performance was tough to watch.

The audience did hit the jackpot with the strong musical performances and Patti Columbo’s terrific choreography. The trio that opened the show set the pace with its great voices and happy harmonies, and the dancing in the big production numbers was a big win. Only odds were that just at a critical time, the theater’s sound system would give way since microphone problems  plagued the opening night show.

“Guys and Dolls,” presented by Dallas Summer Musicals (www.dallassummermusicals.org), will continue through July 31. If you’re looking for a summertime diversion, go ahead and take the bet. Odds are it’ll be worth the gamble.

Diana DeGarmo, Dee Hoty and Mamie Parris in "9 to 5"

The national tour of ”9 to 5: The Musical” is like a brilliant CEO without a business plan…destined to struggle, if not fail.

Dallas Summer Musicals’ current offering through May 29 at Dallas’ Music Hall at Fair Park is the stage version based on the film featuring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The hook then and now is Parton’s catchy hit of the same name, but it’s simply not enough to wrap a musical around.

The touring production features some outstanding vocal performers. Tony-nominated Dee Hoty takes the lead playing Violet, and she’s joined by Broadway veteran Mamie Parris as Judy and ”American Idol” finalist Diana Degamo, platinum wig and more, in the Dolly Parton role. They ably, energetically and enthusiastically handle all the vocal demands and truly do the best they can with the mediocre script, but it’s just not enough.

For a while, it’s fun to take a trip back to a time of carbon paper, afros, typewriters and broad-shouldered jackets. But the show can’t decide if it wants to make social commentary on the times, a musical farce or a stage version of an old movie.

Too many elements just don’t pull together. A larger-than-life video of Dolly Parton weirdly welcomes the audience in her folksy, gee-whiz manner, and the villain is left awkwardly dangling at one point in slapstick that doesn’t work. The constant scene changes, involving the cast  pushing and pulling desks, just get plain tiresome.

This show, like an office worker who’s been out performed by other workers, needs a pink slip.

Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev were just two of many reasons to check out the white-hot dancing at Fair Park.

I needed to turn up the air conditioning as you drive to “Burn the Floor” at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

The show was that hot.

Think of “Dancing With the Stars” on steroids. Think more energy than your two-your-0ld nephew and more electricity than a southern thunderstorm. These people can dance!

Not only did they put on a mesmerizing show, each dance smoothly faded from one fantastic number to the next. From a hypnotic waltz to a fiery cha cha, the high style parade of human artistry was the type of show that could be seen again and again.

The show’s two-week run is over, but I hope Dallas Summer Musicals (www.dallassummermusicals.org) brings it back.

I guess you can say I liked it.

True talent. Tommy Tune has it.

Tap dancing his way through his life story, master entertainer Tommy Tune brings as much charm as his legs are long to the Music Hall at Fair Park. In his recent show, Tommy Tune: Steps in Time, the Texas native put on the kind of show that just made me smile from beginning to end.

Even though he shares the stage with the talented Manhattan Rhythm Kings, the spotlight was shining brightly on the red-shoed Tommy Tune during the entire no-intermission, 90-minute show. In this production presented by the Dallas Summer Musicals (www.dallassummermusicals.org), he starts with a demo of a time step–a basic for any tap dancer–and proceeds to weave together his autobiography through singing and dancing.

A delicious amount of name dropping was thrown in, he recounts his memories of Broadway, movies and even the Music Hall at Fair Park. It was a terrific show, made even more amazing by the fact Tommy Tune is a boyish 72 years old, a fact that just doesn’t compute when you see him in action.

I am often very annoyed at Dallas audiences that give just any old performance a standing ovation. For this show? I was the first one on my feet.

It’s hot. Summer’s goes on. And on.

Are these the dog days of summer?

Even if they indeed are, I’ve got an escape for you. Air conditioning is involved.

Before the end of this month, get thyself over to the Ross Akard Gallery, located at 1717 N. Akard Street in Dallas (www.rossakard.com). That’s actually inside The Fairmont Dallas. There’ll you’ll find a fabulous display of musical memorabilia, courtesy of Dallas Summer Musicals (www.dallassummermusicals.org). 

In celebration of Dallas Summer Musicals’ 70th anniversary, gallery owner Bryan Embry has given over the space this month to a showing theater lovers will love. In addition to the DSM’s Tony Awards, the display includes photos, Playbills and costumes.

Which shows? At the opening reception I attended, I spied items from such faves as “Mamma Mia!,” “Rent,” “Bob Fosse’s Dancin’,” and “Cabaret.”

If you want to make it a really great field trip, go ahead and book The Fairmont’s Broadway suite (www.fairmont.com/dallas).It’s filled with still more Broadway mementos.

Then while you’re thinking about how you love musicals and how you love cooler weather, make plans for another field trip. Tickets are on sale for “Shrek the Musical” which will hit The Music Hall at Fair Park Sept. 28 through Oct. 17.

From start to finish, the current production of “Dreamgirls” playing in Dallas is a dream of a show.

The sets, the singing, the dancing are all stellar in this show playing through July 18 at The Music Hall at Fair Park as a part of Dallas Summer Musical’s 70th anniversary year. The story, set in the early days of Motown, is told in an upbeat and entertaining way, largely due to the excellent cast.

Leading the way as Effie is Moya Angela, who has the pipes to pull off the show-stopping “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” With a performance like hers, the standing ovation came before intermission. Pushing hard to steal the show is the hilarious Chester Gregory as James “Thunder” Early, a comic mix of James Brown and Little Richard.

But this isn’t a musical that just showcases its stars. The chorus is filled with talented performers, whose tight harmonies and skillful dancing fill the stage with energy. The costumes are dazzling beautiful, and the imaginative sets have given this revival an updated look.

With a combo of great costumes, cool sets and talented dancing, the  production numbers are truly a treat. “Steppin’ to the Bad Side” was a stand-out, but other numbers are a treat for the audience, too.

The original Broadway production of “Dreamgirls” opened in 1981 and went on to win six Tony Awards. The current show debuted at Harlem’s Apollo theater last fall before it began touring. 

Touring companies can sometimes disappoint, but make no mistake–this is not one of “those” shows. ”Dreamgirls” is one of the highlights in Dallas Summer Musical’s lineup, and it’s no time to be napping and miss this show.

For ticket information, see www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Wicked, the Tony Award-winning musical, returns for its third stop at The Music Hall at Fair Park.

Forget the trip to Broadway. The current national tour of “Wicked,” being staged at The Music Hall at Fair Park, is every bit as good as the red-hot musical staged on the Great White Way.

The show, which runs in Dallas through  June 27, saves Broadway fans the time, trouble and expense of a New York trip.  The Dallas Summer Musicals presentation (www.DallasSummerMusicals.org) dazzles with its musical tale of what happened before Dorothy and Toto ever were blown into the Wizard’s turf.

The original show, which opened in 2003, broke Broadway boxoffice records with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in the two leading roles. For audiences wanting to hear Stephen Schwartz’s music at its best, this current tour, the third at The Music Hall at Fair Park, will not disappoint. Not only does the orchestra deliver a full sound, the leads are first rate.

As Elphaba, Donna Vivino showcases powerhouse pipes, exploding in her musical moments. Her “Defying Gravity” turn closes out the first act with a wow-factor because of her rock-star qualities. Chandra Lee Schwartz brings both the wide vocal range and terminal cuteness necessary for Glinda the Good.

The sets, the lighting, the costumes combine for a top-rate production. The production is staged at a level unusual for a touring show, from the enormous red-eyed dragon atop the stage to the whimsical green costumes and imaginative lighting design.

The show, which won three Tony Awards and still packs the New York theater after nearly eight years, is strongest in the first act. “Popular,” “The Wizard and I,” “I’m Not That Girl” and, of course, “Defying Gravity” all are power house songs wowing the audience before intermission.

Still the musical’s songs and humorous references to “The Wizard of Oz”  supply enough to make other shows green with envy. Dallas’ current “Wicked”  casts a spell with its wickedly good entertainment.

Rain will perform through Sunday in Dallas.

If you close your eyes, you could be transported to another decade. But if you do, you’ll miss a good part of the fun of “Rain–A Tribute to the Beayles,” now on stage at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas.

The multi-media journey, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals, begins with news reels of fainting teens and Ed Sullivan and continues tripping right through to the Beatles’ psychedelic hippie days. All the while the audience is treated to a live musical performance transporting the lucky listeners to a time when The Beatles were a huge part of the American experience.

Musicians Steve Landes, Joey Curatolo, Joe Bithorn and Ralph Castelli take on the parts of the Fab Four, delivering such musical landmarks as “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and ”Twist and Shout” in the signature skinny-legged suits and mop tops made famous in the ’60s. Then, with help from back-up musician Mark Lewis, they re-create such chart-toppers as “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in the military-inspired get-ups.

The music’s all Beatles, much to the opening-night crowd’s delight, even if the performers’ faces aren’t quite exact clones. But just squint, and you’ll think you’ve landed in a time machine.

Beatle tunes are crammed into two hours of fun, and aging hippies should be forewarned. Choose your seat carefully; the aging hippies in front of you just might decided to twist, shout or flash a peace sign.

“Rain–A Tribute to the Beatles” continues through Sunday at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Dallas Summer Musicals will celebrate its 70^th season of live theatrical entertainment by presenting 12 touring Broadway productions, 10 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, and 2 shows at The Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas.  

The Color Purple will lead off the celebration for the year 2010, opening its two-week run Jan. 19 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Other Broadway hits included in this year’s anniversary season will be The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, The Color Purple, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and last year’s surprise hit, Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles.  New musical offerings will include The 101 Dalmatians, starring Rachel York, and Little House on the Prairie, the Musical, starring Melissa Gilbert as Ma, plus straight-from-Broadway shows such as The 39 Steps, Xanadu and Dreamgirls. Shrek The Musical will be highlight the three weeks that the 2010 State Fair of Texas is in operation.

Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theater organization in the United States and the sixth largest non-profit theater company.  DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live musical theatre entertainment since 1941.  In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions, and is involved in developing new works.  Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park and the historic Majestic Theatre.  

DSM SEASONS AT A GLANCE

THE STAGE LEFT SERIES:

 ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S THE 39 STEPS, Jan. 26-31 at The Majestic Theatre.

 RAIN, A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES, March 16-21at the Music Hall at Fair Park.   

STAGE RIGHT SERIES:

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Feb. 17-March 14 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.   

XANADU, April 6-18 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.  

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL, starring Melissa Gilbert as Ma, May 11-23at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

WICKED, May 26-June 27 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

DREAMGIRLS, June 30-July 18at the Music Hall at Fair Park.nal material by Willy Reale.

SHREK THE MUSICAL, Sept. 28-Oct. 17at the Music Hall at Fair Park.  SEASON SPECIALS: 

Oprah Winfrey Presents THE COLOR PURPLE, Jan. 19-24 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER , April 20-25 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Season tickets are on sale now at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, with Stage Left Series priced from $48 to $264, and Stage Right Series from $115 to $457.  Single tickets for the subscribers’ specials range from $12-$85.  For more information about the DSM season, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.  There is a handling fee for orders placed by phone or internet.  For groups of 20 or more please call 214-426-GROUP.

For those preferring the flexibility of picking their own shows, custom packages of at least four shows from the entire season are available for as little as $48 a package.  There is no deadline for custom orders.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA TV Channel 8, and American Airlines.

As a non-profit organization, DSM relies on a variety of funding sources to bring the Best of Broadway to Dallas at affordable ticket prices, as well as to preserve the beautiful historic theatres, educate young audiences and create important community programs.  DSM’s Seats for Kids program provides a meaningful arts education experience to thousands of low income, at-risk and special needs children. DSM and the Dallas Police Department partner together to provide positive incentives for youth that are at risk for gang membership through the Stage Right program. In addition, The Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts offers professional theatre arts training and scholarships to talented students in need.  Ticket sales alone do not sustain these endeavors.  Only support from committed businesses, foundations and individuals make these programs possible. For more information about Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica, visit their website at www.dallassummermusicals.org or call (214) 421-5678.

Dallas Summer Musicals will present the north Texas premiere of Christmas with the Rat Pack–Live at the Sands for a limited engagement Tuesday through Dec. 12 at The Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St., Dallas. 

The Rat Pack played for four years to sold-out audiences in London’s West End and has since toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States.  The holiday version of the show, Christmas with the Rat Pack–Live at the Sands, was launched in London during the original West End engagement. 

This festive production will transport audiences to the early 1960s, when Frank Sinatra and his pals were filming the original version of the casino robbery caper Ocean’s Eleven in Las Vegas.  The “Rat Pack” legend was born when Sinatra and Dean Martin spontaneously joined Sammy Davis, Jr. on stage, and, to the surprise and delight of the audience, playfully interrupted his act. 

Director and Choreographer Mitch Sebastian re-creates the magic and glamour of that notorious nightclub gig when the audience was glittered with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Gregory Peck, Judy Garland, Tony Curtis, Sam Giancana and Jack Kennedy.  It’s an evening of wisecracking, hip-cat nostalgia mixed with holiday classics accompanied by a 15-piece big band.

Tickets cost $15 to $71 and are available at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, area Ticketmaster outlets, including The Majestic Theatre Boxoffice, by phone at 214-631-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.