HOOPESTON — Talent oozes out of the young people in and around Hoopeston as they perform at the Artistic Repertory Theatre.

Thirty-nine young people, ages 3-21 years, will perform the oddball, romantic musical comedy of “Guys and Dolls” this weekend at the McFerren Park’s Civic Center. Doors open one hour before show time.

“We have a lot of guys in this show ... 12 guys,” said Kathleen Margevich, director and choreographer, “and they all have talent. And that’s really good.”

Sarah Brown, played by Katie Walder of Hoopeston, is an upright mission worker who tries to reform the evil gamblers of Times Square in New York City. The problem is that she falls in love with one gambler, the smooth, notorious Sky Masterson, played by Jacob Campbell of Woodland.

“This is my first leading role,” said Walder, who has been performing for five years with the Artistic Repertory Theatre. “It’s really exciting and a really good part.

“I’ve been bitten by the bug and will definitely do more (performances).”

The comic second lead, Adelaide — played by Emily Margevich of Hoopeston — is a showgirl with chronic flu. She has been engaged for 14 years to Nathan Detroit — Sam Umbanhowar of Hoopeston — whose goal is to find a safe spot for his floating dice game.

Meanwhile, the general of the mission, played by Cheyenne Eisenberg of Rossville, tries to see that Sarah Brown does her job and reforms the gamblers of Times Square. Dancing (tap and ballroom), singing and fight scenes will keep the action moving in this year’s summer musical presentation. Numbers like “Luck Be a Lady Tonight,” “If I Were a Bell” and “Bushel and a Peck” will have the audience singing along.

“It may sound kind of cheesy,” said Logan Edris of Milford, “but even though there’s a lot of different age groups, we are close.”

Justin Kindle of Hoopeston said the group is really like a family and Margevich agreed.

“When we are done with this (Guys and Dolls),” she said, “it’s a letdown.”

Others performing in the play are Adrianna Lober of Cissna Park; Katie, Josh and Jenna Brown, Justin Kindle, Aly Nicholls, Carie Kuhles, Ashley Powell, Mac Conolly, Michael Conolly, Chelsea Barr, Josh and Jordan Bailey, Zach Lewallen, and Anissa Pemberton, all of Hoopeston; and Shawnee Eisenberg of Rossville.

The cast is rounded out by supporting players: Anna Margevich, Annalin Schaumburg, Megan Brown, Hope Powell, Noel Hudson, Maya Webber, Pandora Jerome, Ellie and Hannah Fry, Jade Simonton, Dori Thomas, Lauryn Edwards, Moriah Dugle, Alex Alwardt, Kailan Martin and Kendall Staley.

The set construction and design were created by Vince Lober of Cissna Park, Logan Edris and Terry Johnson of Milford. The costumes for the show are by Paige Brown of Rossville.

“It’s fun working with this group,” Margevich said. “They are really playful.”

The cast agreed Margevich was their “summer mom.”

Eisenberg explained it best: “If it wasn’t for Kathleen, there’d be 40 kids running around all over for the summer. This gives us something to do.”

Artistic Repertory Theatre, a not-for-profit organization, is proud that its cast and production staff comes from across the east-central area.

Future plans are to perform “The Cemetery Club” this fall at the 100-year old Lorraine Theatre. This play had been performed on the Artistic Repertory Theatre stage earlier this year, Margevich said.

Josh Caudle, owner of the Lorraine Theatre, has worked with the Artistic Repertory Theatre by adding a stage extension in order to bring performances to his historic theatre as an option to other stage venues. During its earlier years, stage performances were held regularly at the Lorraine.

FYI

“Guys and Dolls” will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the McFerren Park’s Civic Center.

All tickets are advance sales, reserved table seating for $8. To order tickets from the box office in Hoopeston, call 283-6553.