Page 54 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 52 Winter 2025

Live Theater in

Wallingford

by Bob and David Burghardt

In Wallingford there is theatre in Walling- Joe Passaretti Jennifer Passaretti
ford because of Mary Ellen Kingsland Eckles,
plain and simple. This year’s production is
the classic “Guys and Dolls.” Mary Ellen is
the director, producer, costumer, and she
can even change the oil in your car in the
parking lot. In years past, the Wallingford
Education Teachers used to do shows every
spring. The lead was usually Charlie Houli-
han. They did “Where’s Charlie,” “Damn
Yankees,” “Music Man,” and (you guessed
it,) “Guys and Dolls!” I saw all four shows as
did Mary Ellen.

Guys and Dolls tells the story of four cen-
tral characters. Mission worker Sarah Brown
and Sky Masterson, a successful gambler
and the other duo, Nathan Detroit and his
love, Adelaide, a lead singer in a small caba-
ret group on Broadway.

The musical score of Guys and Dolls is one
of the best ever written. Composer Frank Mary Ellen Eckles,
Loesser adapted the story from the work of Director-Producer Bob Burghardt Laura Jean Vaughn
Damon.
Cast List

Nicely Nicely – Sal Vernali Benny Southstreet – Ed McCarver

Rusty Charlie – Fredrick Goff Sarah Brown – Nicole Zolad

Arvide Abernathy – Dave Wall Agatha – LJ Vaughn

Calvin – Jonathan Judd Martha – Theresa Readey
Prudence – Carol Forte Harry the Horse – Bob Burghardt

Lt. Brannigan – Bill Dickinson Nathan Detroit – Joe Passaretti

Angie the Ox – Ryan Sheren Miss Adelaide – Jennifer Passaretti

Sky Masterson – Charlie Forte Joey Biltmore – Ryan Sheren
Mimi – Natalie Mallma General Matilda B. Cartwright – Jennifer O’Looney

Big Jule – Vinny Cervoni (Sat./Sun), Matt Bennett (Fri) Master of Ceremonies – Matt Bennett

The Debutante Dancers - TBA Waiter – Liam Bishop
The show will be performed on March 21st, 22nd, and 23rd at the Wallingford Town Hall, the same venue
that featured Charlie Houlihan, Irma Zola, and the wonderful Marianne Lacy. Take my word folks, this is going
to be an enjoyable experience!

54 Wallingford Magazine - Winter 2025