Spy: Shane Cortese to star in dazzling Broadway classic

Shane Cortese and Sophia Hawthorne are the stars of Guys and Dolls. Photo / Supplied

The Auckland Theatre Company has entertained with hit show after hit show this year. And it may well have saved the best for last.

It is closing its 2015 season with the dazzling Broadway classic Guys and Dolls at Q Theatre.

In the musical spectacular about gangsters, showgirls and gamblers, the multi-talented Shane Cortese stars as Nathan Detroit, a charming gambler seeking the perfect place to set up an illegal craps game. His co-star is thespian royalty Sophia Hawthorne who plays Miss Adelaide. Fifteen years ago, Cortese and Hawthorne worked together in another ATC production, Into the Woods.

Hawthorne's father Raymond, one of New Zealand's most highly regarded theatre practitioners, is directing Guys and Dolls.

"Nothing hard about being directed by talented people, someone's Dad or not, and Raymond is the Godfather of our theatre," said Cortese. "I'm really looking forward to working with the old boy again and having some fun."

Life will be a non-stop stage for Cortese in October as his "8-track band" will perform at the Juice Bar in Parnell on October 3. Spy highly recommends its 80s covers.

Guys and Dolls runs from October 29-November 22.