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Left, Skylar Carson as Sara Brown. Right, Michael Waycaster as Sky Masterson. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Young actresses perform in the ensemble of Guys & Dolls Jr. at the Natchez Little Theatre. Right photo, from left, Sidney Blaney, Finley Chandler and Opal Schwendamann perform in a Guys and Dolls Jr.” dress rehearsal on Friday night at the Natchez Little Theatre. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Amelie Harris as Miss Adelaide( Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Addison Beach as Nathan Detroit (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Michael Waycaster and Skylar Carson in the Havana scene. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Bailey Davies as Lt. Brannigan, Addison Beach as Nathan Detroit and Amelie Harris as Miss Adelaide (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Michael Waycaster and Skylar Carson in the Havana scene. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Michael Waycaster as Sky Masterson and Skylar Carson as Sara Brown. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Michael Waycaster as Sky Masterson in the craps shooting scene in Guys and Dolls Jr.(Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

(Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

At left, Michael Waycaster kisses the hand of Skylar Carson playing Sky Masterson and Sara Brown. At right, Amelie Harris and Addison Beach embrace as Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide in the wedding scene of “Guys and Dolls Jr.” dress rehearsal on Friday night at the Natchez Little Theatre. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Craps shooting guys and innocent mission dolls collide at “Guys & Dolls Jr.,” the latest product of Natchez Little Theatre’s summer youth workshop.

The show premieres this Thursday through Sunday at the community theater at 319 Linton Avenue. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, through Saturday, June 28, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.

The brilliant young cast has been working together since April to put on a show filled with laughs, some drama and — most of all — redemption, said Michael Waycaster, who plays the role of the rugged gambler Sky Masterson.

“It was rough when we started, but it’s come together quite well,” Waycaster said.

While young, many of the cast members have been involved in theater for years, starting out in elementary school.

Addison Beach, who plays the ring leader of the underground craps shooting ring Nathan Detroit, said theater runs in his bloodline starting with his late grandfather Jerry Doyle Beach.

“For me, (theater) is a family tradition really,” he said. “(My grandfather) moved here from Washington, D.C., and he and a few other people in a small circle didn’t have this place but got together and performed. Then my dad started being in it and I started being in it and it’s just a family thing.”

Skylar Carson, who plays Sara Brown, the spirited leader of the flailing Save-a-Soul Mission, will start studying at Louisiana State University this fall with the goal of later teaching theater.

“This place is like a hub for people in the area to come, learn and express themselves. It’s very meaningful because without the Little Theatre I wouldn’t have learned how much I love theater and how much I love teaching theater. This was the first place I was able to be on stage and be backstage. Last year, I got to direct and choreograph SpongeBob. You meet this incredible community of people and grow with them.”

General admission tickets to “Guys & Dolls Jr.” are $30 or $20 for seniors over 65 years old and military with ID.

To reserve tickets, visit thenatchezlittletheare.com, call 601-442-2233 or email natchezlittletheatre@gmail.com.

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