The Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) continues its 2025-2026 season by rolling the dice on one of Broadway’s most decorated masterpieces: Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls. Running from February 25 through March 15, 2026. This new production brings the colorful underworld of 1930s New York to the desert, blending high-stakes gambling with the unpredictable business of falling in love.

This production isn’t just a trip down memory lane. It promises a “film noir” aesthetic that leans into the reality of the speakeasy era while utilizing updated orchestrations to give the Golden Age classic a modern pulse.

Jason Mannino from Stage and Cinema spoke with CVRep’s Executive Artistic Director Adam Karsten, who is helming this production, to discusses his “gritty” vision for the show, the evolution of its iconic characters, and why this “perfect musical” still has the power to surprise audiences today.

Guys and Dolls is often called a “perfect musical.” What excites you about directing it now, for this audience and this moment?

I love the challenge of exploring “big title” shows within an intimate space. Guys and Dolls is a story everyone relates to, but I’m excited to look at it through a new lens.

Conceptually, I want to lean into the world of Damon Runyon. He was a journalist who sat in Lindy’s Diner all day, listening to real conversations and creating characters based on actual—and sometimes dangerous—people. He gave them colorful names and cartoonish personas to make them likable and less violent for the stage. I’m curious about restoring some of that grit and danger while holding onto the comedy. At its heart, the show is about the “attraction of opposites” and the unpredictable nature of love, which is timeless.

What core idea or question is guiding your interpretation of this production?

The guiding question is: How do we lean into a “film noir” aesthetic—keeping things raw, real, and a bit more dangerous—without losing the vibrant color and heart of the story? We are exploring the real-life inspirations behind these characters in all of our design aspects.

How do you balance honoring the show’s Golden Age roots while keeping it alive and surprising?

We are licensing a new version of the orchestrations originally done at Goodspeed Musicals. Our Music Director, Stephen Hulsey, approached me about them; they maintain the Golden Age feel but update the arrangements in unique ways—like extending “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” by 16 bars. By keeping the iconic songs like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Adelaide’s Lament” while freshening the sound, we can inspire and excite a modern audience.

Which character do you feel has the most to reveal to audiences today—and why?

I’m interested in how so many of these characters “grow up” during the show. Sarah transforms by allowing herself to believe in someone else; Sky changes when he realizes he has a moral compass. When they start doing things for others, they both become better versions of themselves. Even Adelaide and Nathan finally reach a point where they are ready for a new chapter. I hope audiences see that growth and leave the theater feeling like better versions of themselves, too.

Comedy can age quickly—what makes the humor in Guys and Dolls timeless?

The situations are universally human. Whether it’s gambling, relationships, or the struggle between being “good” and “bad,” these are things we all experience. We’ve all felt that falling in love is simultaneously the greatest and worst thing that can happen to a person. That irony never gets old.

What do you hope audiences walk out talking about—beyond the laughs and the tunes?

I hope they talk about how they saw a familiar show in a brand-new way. At CVRep, doing big productions in an intimate space allows the human stories and the evolution of these characters to feel more genuine. I want the impact to be deeper than just a night of catchy tunes.

Do you remember your first experience with Guys and Dolls—and how has your relationship to it changed over time?

One of my first experiences was seeing my older sister in a high school production. I realized even then that there is something in this show for everyone. That hasn’t changed—it’s been on my bucket list for years. What has changed is my artistic approach; I’m now much more interested in exploring the grit beneath the surface.

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Guy and Dolls
Coachella Valley Repertory
68510 East Palm Canyon Dr in Cathedral City
Wed & Sat at 2 & 7; Thurs & Fri at 7; Sun at 2
2 hours 30 minutes, one intermission
runs February 25 – March 15, 2026
for tickets ($60-$110), call 760.296.2966 x115 or visit CV Rep

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