They’ll love you— a bushel and a peck! A bushel and a peck and a huge around the neck! A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap! A barrel and a heap and they’re talking in their sleep— about you! You guessed it! It’s time to sit down with Miss Adelaide and her Hot Box Dancers! Carrying on for part three of the Luck Be a Lady interview series featuring important players in Guys & Dolls at Tidewater Players!

Alrighty, ladies! Here we go! Tell us your name, who you play in the show, and whether or not this is your first time with Tidewater Players and whether or not this is your first time with Guys & Dolls!

Jenna Horblinski: Hi! I’m Jenna Horblinksi, I play a Hot Box Dancer, this is my first show at Tidewater Players and my first time doing Guys & Dolls.

Emily Rice: My name is Emily Rice, I’m playing Adelaide, this is not my first Tidewater show, but it is my first time being in Guys & Dolls.

Carissa McCool: I’m Carissa McCool, I’m a Hot Box Dancer, this is not my first Tidewater show, but it is my first time in Guys & Dolls.

Lisa Geiger: I’m Lisa Geiger. I’m Mimi, who is a Hot Box Girl, this is my first time actually getting to do Guys & Dolls. I was in the middle of rehearsing Guys & Dolls in spring of 2020 when it got cancelled because of the pandemic. And this is not my first Tidewater show.

Leslie Perry: My name is Leslie Perry, I’m a Hot Box Dancer Girl and I’d like to say her name is Penny—

That’s great, because that’s actually a question for later!

Leslie: Yay! Penny feels like she’s the star of the Hot Box show, even though it’s actually Adelaide. This is not my first Tidewater show but it is my first Guys & Dolls.

Maggie Dennis: I’m Maggie Dennis, I’m a Hot Box Dancer. Not my first Tidewater show but it is my first Guys & Dolls.

Suzie Zacker: I’m Suzie Zacker. This is my sixth Tidewater show. My first time with Guys & Dolls and I’m a Hot Box Dancer.

Wow! Lisa, you’re the only close-to-repeater we have in this bunch. So everyone, tell me, what was the draw to want to come out and be a part of Guys & Dolls?

Jenna: Honestly? I was just looking for another show to do. I’ve been in theatre for nine years. I saw this on social media, and I thought why not give it a shot?

Awesome. Emily, what about you?

Emily: So I had a baby almost two years ago. I saw it posted on social media, I saw that Mark was directing, and I love Mark, I’ve been in a lot of shows with him, and he’s directed me before. So I decided to just come out and try to have some fun.

Carissa: So I got some information that Tidewater was going to do Guys & Dolls and I got very excited because I’m such a fan of the show but I’ve never had the opportunity to audition for it anywhere. I thought I should audition for it now because by the time it comes around again, I’ll probably be too old!

Lisa: I had heard that Tidewater was doing the show. My husband, Ryan, is playing Benny. He’s a huge, huge fan of the show, it’s his fifth or sixth time doing the show, and since it got cancelled a few years ago, he’s always wanted a chance to get back on stage and do the show again. He always talks about how good it is. I couldn’t wait to get back on stage with him and to get to do it with this show is very, very exciting!

Leslie: I was actually set to audition for a different show and then that company said nevermind— to the show, not to me— and I had been wanting to get back on stage, it’s been a while, and I found out they needed another Hot Box Dancer, so here we are. And my husband (Matt Perry) got to join me too.

So that’s at least two married couples we’ve got here in Guys & Dolls, and if I’m not mistaken, weren’t the Geigers and the Perrys also in Tidewater’s production of Oliver! this time last year?

Lisa & Leslie: Yes!

That’s awesome. Maggie, why did you want to come out for Guys & Dolls?

Maggie: I saw it on social media and Emily was auditioning, and we’ve been friends for a while, so I was like ‘Yeah! That sounds great!’ And here I am.

Yay. Suzie?

Suzie: Mark promised me I wouldn’t have to speak any lines that I could just dance.

Ooh wait— Suzie, is Stanton one of the gambling guys? Do we have three married couples in this show?

Suzie: No, we went down to a one-parent-at-a-time-in-a-show household so it’s just me.

Gotcha! Tell me about being a Hot Box Dancer! What do we love about it, what do we hate about it, and how are we finding the dancing?

Jenna: So far I’m really loving it. I was a little worried at the beginning because my brain does not connect with my arms and my legs…I can be a little uncoordinated but once I get it down, I get it down pretty well. The choreography so far has been pretty good, I think. I’ve enjoyed it a lot.

Emily, your question is just a little different, because Adelaide is a Hot Box Girl but she’s also Adelaide. So what’s it like being Adelaide?

Emily: The choreography is really challenging. But I think we’re all practicing and having a lot of fun with it. It’s going to get there and be a lot of fun. As far as Adelaide, she’s really fun. She’s similar to characters I’ve played in the past so it feels familiar to me, and I love her songs!

She has such great songs, at least two that she does with The Hot Box Girls, one with Sarah, and one or two solo.

Emily: Yeah. So I’m really only on stage most of the time with the Hot Box Girls or Nathan and then Sarah at the very end, but I’m loving just being in with the girls most of the time!

I love that. Carissa, how are you finding being a Hot Box Girl?

Carissa: I’m loving it all. I’m having a really good time. It’s really enjoyable.

Lisa: I love the dancing because it’s old school, which is not something that we get to do very often. All of us are going through the same challenges, so we all get together before rehearsal and work on it together, so it’s great.

Leslie: It’s very cutesy, girly dancing, which is a lot of fun. And I’m excited about the costumes that are going to go with it. From what I’ve heard of the vision, that’s going to be a fun addition to the choreography.

Maggie: I agree with saying that the choreography was really challenging to learn at first but it’s the kind of choreography that’s so fun once you get it down. I’ve actually really enjoyed the challenge of learning it and then feeling more comfortable in my own body. I feel kind of womanly when I do it and it’s been nice, I enjoy it. It’s good fun.

Suzie: Same thing! I think we all think the choreography is just so cute and then also on top of that, since we all get to have little characterizations, you can watch any one of us and see different things. We’re doing the same choreo but we all add our own individual flare and flourish and its hilarious, especially when we’re watching each other.

I love hearing that. What’s your Hot Box Dancer’s name?

Jenna: We’ll go with Libby.

And is Libby seeing any one of the gambling guys?

Jenna: No! Libby is a single lady enjoying the lady!

I love it. Now Adelaide, we know you’re seeing that no-goodnik Nathan, going on something like twelve years, what’s it like getting to play opposite of Nathan and how’s that working out for you?

Emily: It’s working out great. Me and him are really good friends so it’s been a really comfortable and safe experience.

Good I’m glad to hear that. Carissa, what’s your Hot Box Dancer’s name? And is she hanging out with any of the gambling guys?

Carissa: Maevis. And I don’t know if she’s seeing anybody or not. At the end, she ends up with Big Jule, so maybe she’s seeing Big Jule on the side…maybe she’s a Chicago doll.

And you, Lisa?

Lisa: Mimi. Because it says it in the script. And in the script she was all dated up with Society Max, but he thinks his craps games are more important than me…

Oh my. And if we’re blowing off Society Max, are we picking up a different gambling guy?

Lisa: Oh yes. His name is Benny. Benny Southstreet.

This is hilarious. Leslie, doesn’t your husband play Society Max?

Leslie: Yes he does.

Wow. Hilarious! Now you said you were calling your Hot Box Dancer gal Penny, right?

Leslie: Yes. And Penny is having a secret tryst with one of the Mission Band boys. He plays the euphonium and enjoys the nightlife. Also occasionally Penny hangs out with Joey Biltmore. She sees a lot of men. Penny gets around.

Oh my goodness! I love that backstory for you! Maggie?

Maggie: I have decided in the last ten seconds that her name is Bertha. And I don’t think that she’s with anybody. In other scenes I’m a…lady of the night…so maybe Bertha has a side-hustle. She’s got it going on! She’s seeing John. And Wayne. And Gary. And everybody. She’s seeing all of the above.

Oh my! Wild! Suzie?

Suzie: My girl’s name is Chi-Chi. She’s new to New York and she’s so excited to be here and she thinks this is going to be the best thing and she just got a job and she’s so happy. And at the end she found some guy who’s actually her same height! His name is Harry!

I love all of these clever, creative answers! What’s your favorite gambling game? And it’s okay if you don’t have one.

Jenna: I have never gambled. I’m only 22! I’ve only been able to drink for a year. I’ve never scratched a scratch-off ticket, I’ve never played poker.

Okie dokie then! Emily?

Emily: Um…is roulette the black and white one? Or the black and red one? With the wheel? Let’s say that’s roulette and I’ll go with that one.

Carissa: I’ve only ever done the penny slots because I’m cheap. So them!

Lisa: I know how to play Texas hold ‘em. I don’t really play anymore and it’s been a while but I do know how to play it.

Leslie: If I gambled I would play Blackjack, I think. Because it’s easy and it involves counting and I think it’s probably easier to walk away from.

Maggie: I don’t gamble either but my grandparents used to have a slot machine so I used to go down to their basement and just make it do the 7’s.

Suzie: Same thing— probably cards. We used to play rummy and we’d bet drinks on rummy.

I love that. And that’s a perfect segue into the next question. What is your Hot Box Doll’s drink of choice?

Jenna: I’m going to go with my first drink of choice, which I had on my 21^st birthday which was a Jack & Coke.

Awesome. And that’s the same as your personal drink of choice?

Jenna: Yes!

Fantastic. What’s Adelaide’s drink of choice?

Emily: Probably a Shirley Temple. With alcohol in it. A Dirty Shirley!

And would that be your personal drink of choice? I should mention your personal drink of choice definitely does not have to be alcoholic at all.

Emily: I think mine is vodka.

Carissa: My girl’s drinking a margarita.

Is that your personal drink of choice?

Carissa: It used to be!

Lisa: As Lisa? It’s red wine. As Mimi it would probably be a Coca-Cola at the local diner.

Leslie: For Penny it’s a diet coke. But for me it’s a Monster Energy drink!

Maggie: Bertha likes a ‘Sex on the Beach.’ Maggie likes an Amaretto Sour.

Suzie: Chi-Chi would probably get a margarita because it sounds fancy. Suzie’s going to be drinking Mountain Dew.

Mandy’s drinking coffee. Unless she’s drinking gin. Or red wine. But mostly gin. And coffee. Now, if you had to put your gambling money down on Mindy— is she selling more strudel or cheesecake?

Jenna: I’m going to go with cheesecake.

Emily: Strudel.

Carissa: Strudel.

Lisa: Cheesecake.

Leslie: Cheesecake.

Maggie: Cheesecake.

Suzie: Yeah, cheesecake.

I think cheesecake wins! What is your favorite song in the whole show?

Jenna: I love “Adelaide’s Lament.” Achoo!

Emily: I think “Adelaide’s Lament” is my favorite too.

Carissa: I don’t know if I can pick. I like all of them.

Lisa: I like “If I Were a Bell.” It’s very much my vocal style.

Leslie: I like “Marry the Man Today.”

Maggie: I was going to say the same. “Marry the Man Today.” The vibes are immaculate in that song. They’re so good!

Suzie: I like “Fugue for the Tinhorns.”

What are you walking out of rehearsal at the end of the night? What are you thinking about or feeling or processing?

Jenna: My bed! My bed is my best friend and I want her right now! But mainly just going over things in my head, like what I need to work on and what I have down. Just trying to keep memorizing things to get it together.

Emily: The same. I just reflect back on the rehearsal and what I need to practice for the next couple days. I’m thinking of getting home, getting in bed, and seeing my son in the morning.

Carissa: I look forward to coming back and doing the next step in the process. I’ve just enjoyed the whole process. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a whole-show process.

Lisa: I reflect back on the mistakes I made and what I need to do better. I make a mental list. And I can’t wait to get home and see my dog.

Leslie: I’m currently choreographing another musical at the same time. So my brain goes in all different directions. I’m usually putting this aside and thinking about what I need to do for that next rehearsal coming up. And kids and gym and all that stuff.

Maggie: When I’m leaving I’m just thinking about how I’m exhausted but in that very fulfilled way. I just did productive work and I worked hard on what I needed to work hard on and now I can relax.

Suzie: I switch into mom mode and start thinking about what needs to get done when I get home. I also blast my radio as soon as I get in the car.

Very important question here. Are we team Gambling Guy or team Mission Dude?

Jenna: I’m going to go with team Gambling Guy.

Emily: Yeah, Gambling Guy.

Carissa: Gambling Guy.

Lisa: I say Gambling Guy but Mimi would probably say Mission Guy.

Leslie: Gambling Guy because I like that alter ego a bunch.

Maggie: I guess Gambling Guy.

Suzie: Gambling Guy!

It’s unanimous. The Gambling Guys have it! If you could write your own ticket for this show, vocal range, age, talent, gender notwithstanding, and you could play anyone, who would you play?

Jenna: Ooh. I would say either Adelaide or Nicely.

Emily: I was gonna say Nicely-Nicely. He has fun songs and fun lines!

Carissa: I really like Sky Masterson. He’s hysterical.

Lisa: I want to be Sarah.

Leslie: Nicely or Adelaide.

Maggie: I wanna be Arvide. Arvide’s gotta princess track. Arvide’s almost never on stage but when he is…he’s got it! He’s a got a song.

Emily: But he’s gotta carry that drum!

Maggie: He can take it off when he’s backstage. I could read a book!

Suzie: Oh you know me, I don’t want any roles but what I have. I don’t want to have speak I just want to dance.

Why do you want people to come out and see Guys & Dolls?

Jenna: Because we’ve all been working really, really hard and it’s just been such a fun process that I’ve really loved working on with these ladies and I really think everyone should come and see what we’ve put together.

Emily: That’s a really good answer! Everyone is just so talented and we’re all having so much fun together so I think it’s going to show on stage and I think it’s going to be worth the ticket price.

Carissa: I think it’s classic entertainment. It’s just a good old fashioned show.

Lisa: This show is rarely done. I think the audiences will love to see something new and refreshing but old.

Leslie: It’s definitely a classic and we have crazy talented people in the cast.

Maggie: I would echo what everybody is saying. It’s a classic and everybody loves Guys & Dolls, so come see it!

Suzie: It also runs like a cartoon. The characters are so big it’s very easy to follow and just get into the story and forget about outside life.

Which is the better Hot Box number— “Bushel & A Peck” or “Take Back Your Mink”— and why?

Jenna: The costumes are the deciding factor! I don’t know. I’ve been enjoying “Bushel & a Peck” mainly because its so big and so animated. But also it’s so cutesy and I’ve just been enjoying that one a lot.

Emily: I would say “Bushel & a Peck” because I get to sit backstage and watch them do the dance for that one. But it’s really, really good— like I don’t know what “Mink” is looking like because I’m in there dancing but “Bushel” looks really, really good. And it’s just fun!

That’s adorable and I love that answer. Carissa?

Carissa: Probably “Bushel & a Peck” also because it’s fun.

Lisa: “Take Back Your Mink” because I can’t wait to see what our costumes will be.

Leslie: “Take Back Your Mink” has just a little bit more sexiness, it’s a little more slinky and then the dance break is just really very fun.

Maggie: I think once we get the costumes I’ll probably like “Take Back Your Mink” a little bit more because the whole reveal aspect? But I feel like Bertha’s really feeling herself in “Bushel & a Peck” so I like that one.

Suzie: Probably “Mink” for the same reason just because it’s nice and slow and then— DANCE BREAK. It’s a fun surprise.

I love it. Three mink. Three bushels. And Maggie playing both sides of the question. Fantastic! Now if you have to sum up your experience here at Tidewater Players doing Guys & Dolls using only one word, which word do you use?

Jenna: I’m gonna go basic and say Amazing.

Emily: Fun.

Carissa: Oh. I was going to say fun.

Do you know how many cats said Jellicle or Magical when I interviewed the 525,600 cats over the span of two productions?

Carissa: I’ll say Enjoyable.

Lisa: Fabulous.

Leslie: Friendly.

Maggie: I can’t think of anything!

They don’t all have to start with ‘F’ you know.

Maggie: Um— fantastic!

Suzie: Marvelous.

Guys & Dolls will play May 9^th through May 18^th 2025 with Tidewater Players in residence at the Cultural Center at The Havre de Grace Opera House— 121 N. Union Street in historic downtown Havre de Grace, MD. For tickets call the box office at 667-225-8433 or purchase them online.

To read the interview with Big Jule & Harry the Horse, click here.

To read the interview with Benny Southstreet, Nicely-Nicely Johnson, and Rusty Charlie, click here.