Some sketchy characters are on their way to Lake Charles. Gamblers, gangsters and cardsharps are rolling into town, followed by a cadre of chorus girls, a bundle of suspicious policemen and a regiment of religious reformers. The high rollers meet the holy rollers this Saturday as ACTS Theatre opens its 49th season with a production of “Guys and Dolls.”

Against a backdrop of bustling New York City, two missions are proceeding at odds. Nathan Detroit, a down-on-his-luck gambler, is searching for a place where he can host an illegal game without catching the attention of police. Meanwhile, Sarah Brown is leading the Save-A-Soul Mission, calling sinners to repent of their wicked ways. Nathan makes a sure-fire bet with gambler Sky Masterson to get some quick cash, but Sky ends up chasing the chaste Sarah while Nathan’s own girlfriend, nightclub performer Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for 14 years. Love and greed set off a series of madcap escapades that ultimately prove guys will do anything for the dolls they love.

Betsy Doucet, one of the show’s producers, said ACTS members have wanted to put on the show for quite a while.

“This is a favorite show of the director, Walt Kiser,” she said. “We’ve been wanting to do it for several years, and the president of our board, Mike Ieyoub, has been excited about doing it.”

She describes it as a family-friendly comedy full of funny lines and music that sticks with you. The musical is high-energy, humorous and fast-paced, featuring a number of well-known tunes like the eponymous “Guys and Dolls,” “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” and the famous “Luck Be a Lady Tonight.” 

“It has some great music that you still hear today,” Doucet said. “This is a show where you walk out singing so many songs. It’s an upbeat love story, and everyone’s looking for something upbeat these days.”

There’s also a touch of nostalgia in the production. “Guys and Dolls” premiered on Broadway in 1950, running for 1,200 performances before it ended. Since then, its had several Broadway revivals and spread to theaters across the United States and the United Kingdom, even taking over the silver screen in 1955.

“‘Guys and Dolls’ is one of the most popular shows ever to be on Broadway,” said director Walt Kiser. “It’s had about five different iterations. It’s been revived several times, probably because it’s the most perfect musical comedy ever to be written for the American stage.”

Kiser also praised the music, especially the songs “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat,” and “Adelaide’s Lament,” which he called one of the best songs ever written. Kiser said the characters in the show, based on the short story characters of author Damon Runyon, were written in a way that makes them approachable to everyone. That everyman style has given them their strong and enduring popularity. Most of all, however, Kiser waxed lyrical about his cast, a mix of ACTS regulars and new talents who have never been on stage before.

“It’s a perfect play and this is a perfect cast for the show, because of their ability — my gosh, these people are talented — and their drive,” he said. “The cast is doing the set moving and scene changing in addition to all the costume changes they have to do. … It’s a fantastic cast.” 

The cast seems to think the same thing about Kiser. Daniel Ieyoub, a long-time actor who has been with ACTS from the beginning, said he is having a wonderful time.

“This is the 49th season of ACTS, and I’ve been involved since the very first season. This is my first time with Walt and he’s doing a great job,” Ieyoub said. “It’s a wonderful experience. There’s so many talented people in the show. Walt … is doing an outstanding job, he really is.”

Ieyoub plays gambler Nicely Nicely Johnson, a small role with a big voice. Along with an array of witty one-liners, he leads several musical numbers, including the iconic “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.” As enthusiastic as Ieyoub is about his role, there’s another that makes him just as happy.

“My oldest son, Micheal, is also playing Sky Masterson, so it’s fun being in the show with him,” Ieyoub said.

Ieyoub expressed his confidence that audiences will love the musical — perhaps nearly as much as he loves being in it. He urged everyone to come out, support ACTS and have a great time.

“The main reason (to come) is to continue to support community theater, and I know for a fact they’ll enjoy the show,” he said.

Tickets are available online at www.actstheatre.com or by calling 433-2287. Tickets can also be purchased at Gordon’s Pharmacy, Moss Bluff Flower and Gift and the Lake Charles Civic Center. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 23-24 and 30-31. There is one Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. Nov. 1. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students with valid student ID. Tickets can be purchased at the door.