Guys & Dolls, the musical, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, a comedic classic, opened over the weekend by the Herricks Community Players at the Herricks Theater, 999, Herricks Road, New Hyde Park.

Thankfully, there is another weekend to see this great production on May 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and on May 11 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for children and senior citizens. So call 742-1926 don't miss out on this spectacular show.

The production, directed by award winning, multi-talented director John Hayes and musical direction under the gifted baton of Susan Weber, known throughout the tri-state area for her prowess in music, is a show that is not to be missed because it is jammed packed with fun and lots of talent.

Anne Marie Pistilli and Barbara Murphy have done themselves proud as choreographers especially with the routines of Hot Box Girls, the Havana Dancers and most of all the guys in the Crap Game Dance.

And, if that's not enough Murphy doubles as the lead Adelaide and Pistilli can be seen darting in and out of the shadows moving the scenery as part of the crew and then, if you look closely, you can see her as one of the crap shooters in that difficult dance. Incredible that such talent abounds on the Herricks stage.

Murphy, as Adelaine is superb. In fact, she has never given a bad performance on the Herricks stage because her characterization is always "right on the money" and she can sing and dance up a storm and in this show she shines as the fiancée that has been engaged for 14 years to the most famous gambler of all, Nathan Detroit.

Detroit is Warren Schein and he is marvelous as the wheeler, dealer Nathan Detroit. Always trying to talk himself out of having to marry Adelaine, even after 14 years. Ah, but finally, he gets snagged and getting there is so much fun. Schein has a great voice and you will love his portrayal of this role.

Newcomer to Herricks Michael McKenny is Sky Masterson, the high-rolling gambler that never has a "doll" but sometimes falls for crazy bets. This time Nathan bet him he couldn't take the "mission doll, " Sarah Brown, played by Rachel Zambino, to Cuba and of course he does and with the help of lots of rum drinks, the Havana nightclub turns into organized bedlam, but not before some spectacular Tango dancing led by Penny Payne.

Both McKenny and Zambino are great in their roles. Zambino has a beautiful voice and because of her professionalism she is truly is Sister Sarah and McKenny is fantastic as Sky Masterson with all his bravado and pomp only to be tamed by the mission and its "doll." Their duet of I've Never Been In Love Before is one of the best show tunes of all time and their rendition is perfect.

Supporting roles are key to this show and Michael Gerbasi, who has a powerhouse voice is a perfect choice for Nicely, Nicely Johnson one of the sidekicks of Nathan Detroit. With him is that veteran of the stage and possibly one of the best, because he never comes out of character anywhere in his scenes, Robert Valli as Benny Southstreet. He has played numerous leads, but this is one of his funniest. In fact, this is Valli's second time, in this role, and he just keeps getting better. In fact, Gerbasi and Valli introduce the signature song, Guys and Dolls to the audience with gusto and energy to set the pace of the show.

Michael Spicer is Rusty Charlie, another Nathan sidekick and he, too, has a spectacular voice. Also, no stranger to the Herricks stage, he so magnificantly opens the show with The Fuge for Tinhorns along with Valli and Gerbasi.

Arvide Apernathy, the "Mission Master" is a cameo role for Frank Hendricks, who has played so many leads throughout the tri-state area, too many, in fact, to mention, but he's wonderful with his masterful voice as he sings , More I Cannot Wish You. And, along with a drum that he actually plays, he also plays the trumpet as he leads the mission...amazing.

Harry the Horse, yet another gambler in the mix, is played by Lee Titone, who could be a Lou Costello stand-in. He has some very funny lines that will amuse everyone and Richard Allman does a good job as Big Julie who shoots craps with blank die, very funny.

Lt. Brannigan is played by Nicholas Mandero, another newcomer. About a week prior to opening Michael Fagan, who was to play this role, broke his ankle and Nicholas Mandero was gracious enough to step into the role and learn it to perfection. He's a great Brannigan, complete with a yellow slicker and hat. A savior and a pro.

The mission's General Cartwright is Andria Amarosa, another Herricks veteran who never gives a bad performance. She has a great voice and leads the choir in Sit Down Your Rockin the Boat along with Gerbasi as Nicely, Nicely Johnson.

The Hot Box Dancers are fantastic and never miss a step and the entire ensemble of Tango dancers in Havana will make you think they are headed for "dancing with the stars." The Hot Box dancers include: Laura Marie Cangro, Michelle Mazza, PennyPayne, Maura Ryan, Josephine Licata, Liz Nolan, Melissa Rapelje and Kathy Titone and the Havana Dancers are: Nick Becci, Fran Geier, Dan Kary, Bernard Macias, Penny Payne, John Eberhardt, Rhonda Kapowitz, Linda Lefton, Sherrry Markowitz and Joan Weiss.

What a tedious job to learn all those moves and, again, thanks to the creative choreography of Pistilli and Murphy.

In any production, behind the scenes is always critical and this time a newcomer, Margo Bayroff has taken on the tedious role of production manager and has done a marvelous job right from the start never missing a rehearsal, staying on "book" for the performers and feeding them lines and just generally helping with every phase of the production. She is to take a low bow for all her hard work.

Another mention must be made to Frank Sanchez. He, too, is a mega talent as the rehearsal pianist and also the orchestra pianist. He is so gifted and versatile and can play anything. Herricks is fortunate to have such a talent.

Daniel Moskovitz has been a genius with the lighting in the past and this production is no different. He scales the scafling installing the lights with seemingly little effort and his choice of colors are breathtaking, another mega talent and another hit for Moskovitz.

Richard Gibbons is the sound master and he makes everyone sound just as they should including the backstage crew...he's great.

There would be no show without Eleanor, Shari and Bob Leslie. Eleanor and Shari create the costumes and Bob creates the scenery, what talent in one family. They are all so dedicated and the end results come shining through. The costumes are beautiful and the sets fantastic. Penny Payne helped to create many of the costumes and was always there to help with costumes along with dancing her legs off in both the Hot Box and Havana numbers. She is so graceful and a joy to watch.

Every show has a producer and Herricks is no different. Carol Hayes is the producer of the Herricks Community Players and she does "it all." She creates the flyers, sends them out and generally keeps her fingers in every phase of the production, mostly to make sure that the budget is upheld. Not a fun job, but someone has to do it.

Tickets are organized and distributed by Bernice Magalnick. Truly a huge thankless job. She makes sure everyone has the seat they requested and that everyone is happy. A truly impossible job, but she does it with charm.

Always the backstage crew is key to moving the sets. This time Ann Marie Pistilli, Maggi Whitely, Paul Ehrbar, Paul Bianchi, Robert Gino, Michael Beaury and John Roarty are all chipping in at various times to help.

All in all, Herricks Community Players does it again. It's a hit. Just don't miss it.