What a smashing hit! For only three nights(Oct 18 – 20), Stage Kids CA is putting on a performance of Guys and Dolls at the Historic Hoover Theatre( ) in San Jose. Admission is only $ 12, way more affordable than a professional musical. Tickets can be bought here: . It was almost a full house last night. Considering that Stage Kids is a community program designed to help kids develop in performing arts, and some of the kids may not have a lot of performing experience, they certainly pulled off a great show. Sure, a couple lines were stumbled over, and some words were sung off key, but by and large the kids did an outstanding job. To see their energy and excitement displayed on stage gives me hope that some of these kids may be the future faces of a Broadway-quality production. It’s too bad this show is only going on for three nights. So much obviously went into production, from the hand-painted sets, the large number of props, to the excellent use of the small stage space. Mad props(pun not intended) to fellow Unilocaler and choreography director Denise L for the top-notch choreography, which was, from what I could tell, executed flawlessly. The kids really got the routines down, and yes the girls were better dancers than the guys, but that’s how it always is until you get into the professional dancing realm. The use of the central and side walkways in the theatre helped bring the show out beyond the stage and made the audience more a part of the show. And the costumes– there was much attention paid to getting details right. Those costumes were the real deal. Finally, the girl playing Adelaide did an amazing job vocally and with her acting. Her use of vocal inflections and overt mannerisms really brought out her character and made the show over-the-top funny. Reminds me of Glinda from Wicked. Three words: See. This. Show. Only two nights before it’s gone!