Stratford Festival review: The whole cast shines in 2026 production of Guys and Dolls

Dan Chameroy as Sky Masterson with members of the company in Guys and Dolls. Stratford Festival 2026.

Guys and Dolls is one of those all-time great musicals in which every actor, dancer and singer who takes the stage has the chance to shine.

And that’s especially true in the Stratford Festival’s 2026 production helmed by Stratford’s go-to director-choreographer for all things musical theatre, Donna Feore. Once again, Feore has all the pieces she needs to give her cast the chance to show their full range of talents, from the bright neon lights to the simple-yet-effective set design, and a truly phenomenal musical backing led by festival music director Franklin Brasz.

And boy does this cast deliver. But where do I start?

Festival favourite Dan Chameroy as Sky Masterson is a phenomenal casting choice. His ability to perform in big, flashy numbers like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Havana,” and show his softer side in “My Time of Day” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” gives his character the nuance a big-time gambler who unexpectedly finds love and seeks to reform his sinful ways needs to make him believable.

And Chameroy has undeniable onstage chemistry with Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane as Sarah Brown. The pair’s playful yet resistant back-and-forth throughout the first act, particularly leading up to “I’ll Know,” sets the stage for their blossoming and unlikely love, and gives Sky the motivation he needs to finally and completely win her over by the play’s conclusion.

Sinclair-Brisbaine is also the perfect choice for the uptight and morally inflexible Sarah Brown. Her steadfast commitment to her mission work offers Sky a way into her heart, while her initially reluctant feelings for Sky gives her cause to let loose amid the passionate dancing and brilliantly choreographed brawl in “Havana.”

Jennifer Rider-Shaw’s performance as Miss Adelaide is, to no one’s surprise, spot on. Her powerful vocals and energetic dancing combined with the eye-catching costumes Adelaide and her Hot Box dancers wear during “A Bushel and a Peck” and “Take Back Your Mink” simply can’t be overlooked. Rider-Shaw also gets the chance to show off her considerable comedic timing, particularly as she laments over Nathan Detroit’s (Mark Uhre) unwillingness to commit to marriage after 14 years as a fiancé.

And that ear for comedic timing extends to the rest of the cast, from Nathan Detroit’s frantic efforts to secure a venue for his craps game while avoiding the attention of Lt. Brannigan (Nehassaiu DeGannes) and Big Jule (Juan Chioran) forcing Detroit to gamble with his special, undotted dice, from which only Jule knows what was rolled, to pretty well every appearance by Nicely Nicely Johnson (Steve Ross).

Ross, a personal favourite festival regular of mine, brings the house down with “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” His mastery of stage movement, his use of props and comedic timing truly stand out in this number and make him the perfect comedic relief throughout the production, always delivering those all-important one-liners with impeccable tone and timing.

This season’s production of Guys and Dolls is sure to be a smash hit for the festival. If you’re looking for some toe-tapping fun and a two-and-a-half-hour display of awe-inspiring talent, Guys and Dolls runs at the Festival Theatre until Nov. 1.