Nearly three hours, and I can honestly say they held me captivated—not an easy task for this Older, Classic Musical that could easily be outdated for modern times (you don't get to call us 'dolls' 'babes' or 'birds' any longer... guys).
So what stands out? Amazing casting—everyone is so talented! Of course, there's Gina Beck (as Sarah Brown) and Michael Simkins (playing Arvide Abernathy), giving it that 'star' factor, but everyone around them shines just as brightly. Having a live orchestra above the stage is always a treat, and the moving pieces of stage, coupled with 360-degree show direction, is as slick as the acting, dancing and singing.
Adelaide (Timmika Ramsay) is magnificent. So much sexiness and sorrow! Her dancing girls are feisty and fabulous. The 'don't mess with me' vibe rather than the '80s 'hot totty' vibe sails this production ship away from the 'isms' I had to grow up in, unacceptable in modern times.
What else stands out? The Cuban dance scene where Sky Masterson (George Ioannides) is dragged away by Sarah; it puts a whole new nuance on who Sky really is (no spoilers, go see for yourself!).
The use of (paying) audience as extras is so clever, injecting unpredictability and humour into the show, then there is Nicely-Nicely (Jonathan Andrew Hume) serenading the audience in the intervals, and the entire cast ending the show with salsa—it really did make it feel like we left a party.