Old News: Stagestruck RFH ‘Guys and Dolls’ of ’73

Sit down. We’re really not trying to rock the boat; but, it was half a century — yes, that’s 50 years — ago when the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) spring musical production of Guys and Dolls opened.

And, guess what? Back then, as we’ve recounted many times, opening night and pre-opening night both made the area papers. This was back when there were full entertainment sections in the local newspapers and high school shows were quite the big deal. Not that they’re not now. Oh, of course they are! It’s just that back then there was great anticipation of that black-and-white print coverage. Newspaper staff reporters and photographers were assigned to be there to get the high school show scoop. Always.

Now, of course, there’s social media. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just expected that there will be posts. A lot of them. And there are — from those the cast knows love them rather than that ominous, looming faceless reviewer objectively watching and reporting. Anticipation. And we’re not talking ketchup slowly making its way to the mouth of that bottle. We’re talking show biz jitter anticipation. The “Will they really like us?” kind.

For instance, as with these clips, back in 1973, when this RFH production of Guys and Dolls was rehearsed for three months and staged, there was a thrill among the cast over that anticipation — that press would be make room in busy news schedules to be there, what they’d think and where the photos and story would be placed in the paper.

There was a mad rush to the newsstand to get a copy the next day; and, of course, moms saved the clips in a photo album. Cast names were in print and forever archived for posterity. And one of those many photos taken may have been yours. You never knew until the paper came out. Many RFH show cast members still have theirs stashed away, yellowed, creased and somehow still smelling of that backstage greasepaint roar.

Sometimes there were even reviews. And those reviews often got notable cast members parts in the rung up of community theater shows. And sometimes there were famous show folk in the audience.

There were showcase events, as well, on the stage of local theaters where those exceptionally talented teens got noticed, word spread and parts were won. Some even ended up with scholarships because of the mentions that were more than honorable. With this show, Maura Fitzgerald, as Adelaide, won rave reviews for her performance of show excerpts at a Barn Theatre showcase.

With the RFH production of Guys and Dolls 50 years ago, that’s pretty much how things went. Press had the cast covered. And sans Basie Awards and social media, talent was noticed and recognized. Press. Yes. There was a lot of press. The pre-show peek was there in print. Then there was the photo and blurb after opening night. Anticipation. Another opening, another show. Always a thrill. Always that cast camaraderie. Always that hard-earned spotlight. And the spotlight wandered full circle sometimes.

It’s interesting to note the placement of the Guys and Dolls press in the paper. There was an ad nestled in with the show story. It was for dancing that night, a Friday, and Saturday with “THE FANTASTIC DON CAMILLE TRIO, with Bette Ann Lee vocalist” at the Olde Union House in Red Bank. The Union House also advertised a Saturday and Sunday brunch for $2.95. You can’t even get a cup of coffee for that price now.

Here’s an interesting tidbit … the Olde Union House used to also feature Sal Bertolo playing piano in the lounge back then. Sal was a musical genius who opened for Count Basie at one time and basically discovered Frankie Valli. That’s a big story for another day.

But, Sal played all over Monmouth County in his retirement, if you could call it that. For a time, he ended up playing at Ron’s West End Pub in Long Branch. This former Tower Player sang with him. So did the mom of one of the Spamalot cast members. Think on that one. We know who she is. Do you? So, from a side-by-side newspaper placement to entertaining together years later, it’s all show biz kismet. And it’s all good.

So, go on with the show, Spamalot cast! You never know where your show biz karma will take you and with whom. It really is a small show biz world, though. Break a leg!