To make a musical like “Guys and Dolls” work, there has to be real chemistry between its two leads: Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown. And chemistry is what audiences will get when they see The Brandywiners’ production at Longwood Gardens’ Open Air Theatre July 29-August 1. When director Henry Porreca cast Jeff Santora and Debra Hollingsworth Arnold, he knew they shared “a past.” Arnold took Santora to her senior prom. “They’ve gone their separate ways, but there’s still chemistry there,” says Porreca. The plot sizzles, too. Nathan Detroit, the organizer of the oldest established permanent floating craps game in New York, bets Sky that he can make the next girl he sees fall in love with him. That next girl is the virtuous Sarah. Nathan (played by Joe Francisco) has his own problems. His fiancé, Adelaide (Nance Weber), is issuing the marry-me ultimatum. “Guys and Dolls” has never been done in the troupe’s 79 years. But, as Porreca says, “It’s one of the greats.” For more, visit brandywiners.org, or call 478-3355. —Maria Hess
Page 2: The Big Bangs
The Big Bangs
It’s Independence Day, and that means fun.
The following events will be held July 4 unless noted.
• The city of Wilmington hosts 4th of July Celebration & Old Fashioned Picnic. Family activities begin in Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park at 4 p.m. The Delaware Symphony Orchestra’s 8:30 p.m. show will be followed by fireworks. (wilmingtonde.gov)
• Newark lights up UD’s Athletic Complex from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m. with entertainment, crafters and food vendors. (parksrec@newark.de.us)
• Dover’s Fourth is an all-day affair at First State Heritage Park. Fireworks start about 9:20 p.m.
• Rehoboth Beach’s festivities start on the boardwalk at 8 p.m. The Funsters will rock the Bandstand after the fireworks. Rain date is July 5. (rehomain.com)
• Bethany Beach’s Independence Day Parade and Celebration is held at St. Ann’s Church on July 5. (townofbethanybeach.com)
• Over the line at Longwood Gardens is Founder’s Favorites, a mix of patriotic, organ and classical music, and, of course, pyrotechnics. (longwoodgardens.org)
Page 3: Happy Birthday, Andrew
Happy Birthday, Andrew
The Brandywine River Museum will celebrate the legendary Andrew Wyeth’s birthday on July 12 in an appropriately big way: free admission. That includes tours of the N.C. Wyeth house, where Andrew was born. Since capacity is limited for house tours, the museum will distribute tickets starting at 9:30 a.m. Wyeth would have turned 93 this month. For more, visit brandywinemuseum.org, or call (610) 388-2700.
Page 4: Full-Scale Salute
Full-Scale Salute
The Delaware Symphony Orchestra cuts a slice of Americana at The Freeman Stage at Bayside July 10. The Fenwick Island concert, “A Salute to America,” features Buck’s “Festival Overture on The Star-Spangled Banner” and Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait.” Just to mix it up, maestro David Amado also will conduct Williams’ “Star Wars Suite.” A host of diverse artists are scheduled to play The Freeman Stage through October. For more, visit freemanstage.org, or call 436-3555.