Southern Middle School will present "Guys and Dolls Jr." as its fifth annual spring musical presentation. The show is running from Thursday, April 24, through Saturday, April 26, at the school.

This production is based on the original 1950 Broadway show and contains most of its popular and long-standing songs including "Luck Be a Lady." Other favorites include "If I Were a Bell," "The Oldest Established," and "I've Never Been in Love Before."

The show follows the stories of haphazard gamblers and their follies. Nathan Detroit, played by Randy Ingram, is struggling to maintain his long-standing floating crap game because of the pressure from the police. In the meantime, he is also getting equal pressure from his fiance of 14 years, Adelaide, played by Aleigha Lambert and Casey Creech, to get married. In order to raise money to pay off a business to have his game, Nathan bets Sky Masterson, played by Devonte Wilson, a thousand dollars on a proposition involving missionary Sarah Brown, played by Kaitlyn Wagner.

"In every show I direct, I look for educational moments," says director Eric M. Kopecky. "One item that we were able to discuss this year was the American-Cuban relationship and how it has changed from 1950 to the present. Because the show revolves around a dice game, several math teachers were presented with the opportunity to teach students about statistics and odds."

The main characters continue to hit potholes on their road to their ultimate goals, with some amusing asides. One of the entertaining scenes not to be missed features sixth-grader Kendrick McRae as Nicely-Nicely Johnson who urges the gamblers to repent and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat!"

The show is staged in the Southern Middle School Gym. Shows on April 25 and 26 will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults. The show will include a 10-minute intermission.

For additional information e-mail ekopecky@mcs.k12.nc.us or call 693-1550.