The Howell High School Arts Department is presenting “Guys and Dolls” April 12-14. From now until opening night, we will be introducing to members of the production. Today, we meet Danny Maura, who plays Nicely Nicely Johnson, an eccentric gambler who gets to sing one of the most well-known numbers of the show, “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”
Danny Maura, 16, heard about “Guys and Dolls” through choir and drama.
The sophomore at Howell High School loves video games and singing, and plans on doing something with music for a career, most likely music education. He’s the son of Stacy and Romolo Maura, and he has a brother, Ryan.
Maura played Baron Bomburst in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” when he was in seventh grade. Earlier this year, he played Sir Toby Belch in the Howell High School production of “Twelfth Night.”
When it comes to acting, Maura said he looks up to Ben Dean, who plays Sky Masterson in this production of “Guys and Dolls.”
“He’s a great guy and seeing him act is magical,” Maura said. “I wish I could be as good as him someday.”
Another inspiration for Maura is his mother, who inspires him.
“She has been through so much, but she just keeps pushing through and doing the best she can,” he said.
Maura enjoys the close bond created with the cast.
“You can go into a production as strangers, but by the time it’s over, you can make lifelong friends and connections with people you might never have expected to bond with,” he said.
For him, the first dress rehearsal is the best part of the production. “The first time you get everyone together, in costume, and you run through the show, when you just see everything come together, it’s amazing he said.
And Maura promises that the audience will enjoy “lots of laughs, great music, and drama galore.”
Howell High School’s Performing Arts Department is presenting “Guys and Dolls” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14.. Tickets are $10 for students/seniors and $12 for adults and can be purchased in the Howell High School main office and online at http://howellperformingarts.ludus.com. All performances will be held in the Howell High School Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center.
