TOMS RIVER – All Nathan Detroit wants is to host a crap game. He gambles more than he bargained for.
It’s the love of the game – and the money – that inspires much of the madcap action in “Guys and Dolls.” Nathan Detroit is in the middle of it all, and that’s why Jared Gertner loves to play that character. He’ll be donning the suit for Axelrod Theater’s upcoming run of the musical.
Gertner, who now lives in Los Angeles, came back to his roots for the show. He played the same character when he was a freshman at Toms River High School North.
“There are lines that I still hear in my head the way they were said 25 years ago,” he said. He remembers the laughs that came from that production – inside jokes that only come when a group of friends works long hours together. He remembers the mistakes they made back then that are being righted in today’s professional production.
That crew from North are still some of his best friends.
“It’s been a very nostalgic few weeks,” he said. “It’s fun to revisit it as a grown-up instead of as a kid pretending to be a grown-up.
“When you’re 14 doing a show with friends, you’re just doing it because you love it,” he said. When it’s done as a career, there’s a different balancing act that has to be done.
“I’m lucky to be able to make a living as an actor,” he said. He’s been to Broadway and beyond. He won an award for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” in New York. He received an Olivier nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Elder Cunningham in the opening London run of “The Book of Mormon.” He has appeared in shows like “Supernatural” and his voice can be heard in “Smallfoot,” “American Dad,” and others.
[adrotate banner="278"]He was recently inducted into the Toms River Regional Schools Hall of Fame.
Some of the co-stars are familiar faces. Miss Adelaide is played by Jenny Hill, who used to perform with Gertner at the Red Oak Music Theater in Lakewood. Sky Masterson is played by Stephen Mark Lukas, who was Elder Price with him in “Book of Mormon.”
The show will run from Nov. 1-17 at the Axelrod PAC at 100 Grant Ave. in Deal Park. For more information, visit axelrodartscenter.com/guys-and-dolls-axelrod.
Opening night on Nov. 1 is “Toms River Night.” There will be a meet and greet with Gertner after the show. Anyone with an ID from Toms River will receive a coupon for 50 percent off an upcoming show.
