Matthew Schatz Stars as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls at CVRep

The classic Broadway musical Guys and Dolls is now lighting up the stage at Coachella Valley Repertory, and actor Matthew Schatz is stepping into one of the show’s most iconic roles.

Schatz plays Nathan Detroit, the lovable gambler at the center of the musical comedy. The production opened last week and has already been receiving strong reviews from audiences.

Schatz says the show delivers exactly what musical theater fans expect from the beloved Frank Loesser classic — a fun, feel-good night at the theater.

“The show is designed to just be good old fashioned fun,” Schatz said. “Under the expert leadership of director Adam Karsten, that’s exactly what it is.”

The musical features many of Loesser’s well-known songs, including favorites that have helped make Guys and Dolls one of the most enduring productions in American musical theater.

Schatz, who is based in New York, says performing in the Coachella Valley has been a new experience for him, though he’s visited Palm Springs before. He notes that local theater audiences bring a slightly different perspective than those in New York.

“In New York, audiences expect to be pushed and challenged,” he said. “Out here, people come to the theater to relax, have a good time, and enjoy the show — and that’s exactly what Guys and Dolls is meant to be.”

While Schatz describes himself as an actor, singer and musician rather than a traditional “triple threat,” he says the role of Nathan Detroit allows him to lean into the comedic energy and charm that make the character memorable.

Guys and Dolls at CVRep runs through March 22. Tickets are available at CVrep.org.

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