'Guys and Dolls' rocks the community center

Two fine shows the next few weekends, musical "Guys and Dolls" by the Western Nevada musical Company and "Wonder of the World," staged by the Proscenium Players. We reported on "Guys and Dolls" last Thursday so this is a reminder that it is a great show. Based on a short story by Damon Runyon, it tells the story of Sister Sarah of The Salvation Army meeting Sky Masterson of the New York gambling subculture.

The trio number, "Fugue for Tinhorns" is a fugue about which horse is going to win a race. Two fine songs, "If I Were a Bell" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," are showstoppers. "Dolls" plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Community Center, 851 E. William St. and at 2 p.m. Sunday there as well.

For "Wonder," go back to page C1 for the story of madcap fun on stage.

MUSICAL NOTES

Little Anthony & The Imperials bring their R&B, honey-smooth style music to the South Shore Room at Harrah's Lake Tahoe on Saturday. Show time is 7:30 p.m., tickets are $35 plus tax. Call (800) 786-8208.

Youth ArtWorks and The Studio on 4th present "Always ... Patsy Cline," the popular musical play about the legendary singer and her most devoted fan. The show includes many of Cline's hits. Shows are at 8 p.m. Nov. 8-10, tickets are $20 general, $18 for students and seniors. The Studio on 4th is at 432 E. Fourth St., Reno. Call 786-6460.

Ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro returns to Crystal Bay at 9 p.m. Nov. 8. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of the show. Call 833-6330 or see www.crystalbaycasino.com. Shimabukuro is unquestionably regarded as one of the world's top ukulele musicians.

At the Grand Sierra in Reno on Friday it's "Fantasies in Chocolate," $75 at the door. Show is at 7:30 p.m.

Diana Ross sings at 8 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Grand Sierra Resort with tickets ranging from $60.50-$104.50. Call 789-2000 or visit www.GrandSierraResort.com.

EVERYBODY'S IRISH SOMETIME

Wild Horse Productions and the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada bring Celtic harpist and storyteller Patrick Ball to Carson City. Ball will bring his new solo theater piece, "The Fine Beauty of the Island" to Carson City at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada. But don't be confused; this is not a children's show, it's for everyone who loves Celtic music.

"The Fine Beauty of the Island" is an uplifting, music-filled journey in search of a legendary Irish tune and the islanders who played it. This true story of the inhabitants of the Blasket Islands in Country Kerry, Ireland, who "vanished" in 1953 is beautifully told through the voice of Ball's Celtic harp, the lilt of his penny whistle, and the brogues of a pub full of characters. Tickets are $15 for general public and $12 for students and members of the Children's Museum and or Wild Horse Productions at the museum, 813 N. Carson St. Tickets and information at 887-0438 or www.wildhorsetheater.com.

FROM THE VAULTS

"The Good Shepherd" had an all-star cast and was directed by Robert De Niro, who also acted in his film. This is a very low-key movie with star Matt Damon very subdued. It concerns the birth of the CIA via the World War II OSS. Damon has been there from the beginning, quiet, dependable and part of the old boys network of Ivy League grads. He's a member of Skull and Bones, the elite Yale secret society, which helped populate the OSS and later the CIA.

As Damon winds his way though WWII, the OSS and the CIA, he pays an increasing price for his profession. He intrigues with his KGB counterpart to maintain world order, of a sort. Angelina Jolie is his wife by shotgun wedding and she is lustrous but mostly wasted. The story winds its way to a tragic conclusion as Damon is more and more alone with his CIA. The cast is large: William Hurt, John Turturro, Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon, Alec Baldwin, Timothy Hutton, Keir Dullea, all excellent and De Niro's' direction is dark but firm. It's rated R for violence, sex scenes and language. Released December 2006.

• Contact Sam Bauman at 881-1236 or Sbauman@nevadaappeal.com.