Emma Flynn will step into the role of Sarah Brown in Shakespeare Theatre Company's current production of Guys and Dolls beginning December 30. Performances were recently extended through January 8, 2026.
Flynn, who originated the role of Cher Horowitz in Clueless the Musical in London’s West End, will succeed Julie Benko, who will play her final performance December 28. Benko is departing to join Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway revival of Ragtime, temporarily taking over the role of Emma Goldman in January 2026.
Flynn, whose regional credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Legally Blonde the Musical, will join a cast that features Jacob Dickey (Old Friends, Company) as Sky Masterson, Rob Colletti (Almost Famous, School of Rock) as Nathan Detroit, Hayley Podschun (Wicked) as Miss Adelaide, and Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots) as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.
Tommy Gedrich, Calvin McCullough, and Julie Benko in Guys and Dolls
Company of Guys and Dolls
Hayley Podschun and Rob Colletti in Guys and Dolls
Kyle Taylor Parker and Calvin McCullough in Guys and Dolls
Julie Benko and Jacob Dickey in Guys and Dolls
Hayley Podschun in Guys and Dolls
Hayley Podschun in Guys and Dolls
Calvin McCullough and Kyle Taylor Parker in Guys and Dolls
Jacob Dickey and Julie Benko in Guys and Dolls
Company of Guys and Dolls
Hayley Podschun and Julie Benko in Guys and Dolls
The company also includes Lamont Brown as Joey Biltmore, Brendon Chan as Waiter in Havana, Tommy Gedrich as Rusty Charlie, Ahmad Kamal as Big Jule, Garrett Marks as Harry the Horse, Calvin McCullough as Benny Southstreet, Chivas Merchant-Buckman as Crapshooter, Lawrence Redmond as Arvide Abernathy, Graciela Rey as Hot Box Girl, Katherine Riddle as Agatha, Jimena Flores Sanchez as Mimi, Todd Scofield as Lt. Brannigan, John Sygar as Calvin, and Holly Twyford as General Matilda B. Cartwright plus Nick Alvino, Aria Christina Evans, Drew Minard, Jessie Peltier, David Paul Kidder, Brandon Block, Landry Champlin, Jack Sippel, and Caroline Kane.
The production of the classic American musical is directed by Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid), with choreography by two-time Tony nominee Joshua Bergasse (Smash).
Based on The Idyll of Sarah Brown and characters by Damon Runyon, Guys and Dolls features music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Songs include “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” and “Luck Be a Lady,” among others.
The current production also has music direction and additional orchestrations by conductor James Lowe, scenic design by Walt Spangler, costume design by Constance Hoffman, lighting design by Amith A. Chandrashaker, sound design by Andrew Harper, wig and hair design by Kevin Foster II, voice and dialect coaching by Lisa Beley, fight choreography by Robb Hunter, intimacy coordination by Bess Kaye, and dramaturgy by Drew Lichtenberg.
Casting is by The TRC Company's Merri Sugarman and STC Resident Casting Director Danica Rodriguez. The production stage manager is Dustin Z West, and the assistant stage managers are Stephen Bubniak, Leigh Robinette, and Laura Smith.
The original Broadway production opened at the 46th Street Theatre in November 1950, running 1,200 performances before closing November 28, 1953. Among the premiere cast were Robert Alda as Sky Masterson, Isabel Bigley as Sarah Brown, Sam Levene as Nathan Detroit, and Vivian Blaine as Miss Adelaide. Blaine re-created her role for the 1955 film, which also starred Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson, Jean Simmons as Sarah Brown, and Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit. The original production won five 1951 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
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