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Murden claims he has been waiting for 34 years to land the role of Nathan Detroit, a good-hearted gambler and craps game organizer who can never hit the big time.
Murden's love interest, Miss Adelaide, is played by Rae West, of Salem, Va. West is the daughter-in-law of Rose Cremonese-Norton, owner of Rose's School of Dance in Hawthorne who directs and choreographs the production. Cremonese-Norton founded the company 45 years ago, along with other local residents.
Murden started out with Mount Pleasant Community Theater in 1981, when it was known as Mount Pleasant Summer Stock, as Mr. Whitney in "Anything Goes." His favorite other roles performed with MPCT included Will Parker ("Oklahoma!"), Riff ("West Side Story"), Cosmo ("Singing in the Rain") and Pasquale, the singing chef, in last year’s production of "Most Happy Fella."
His greatest role is now offstage as the father to Lila Jane, also a production of MPCT in a way, as he met his wife Gabby through the company.
"Gabby and I first fell for each other during the run of 'Annie Get your Gun 2009.' ... We began dating right after the show ended, got engaged during 'Curtains 2011' and married on Aug. 10, 2012 after 'The Wiz' closed," Murden said. "My parents. Ruth and Dave Murden, volunteered as prop handlers, ushers and anything else that was needed, since I started with the group in 1981."
Murden dedicates this year's performance to his dad, who died in January at age 87. Murden says he is the guardian angel for MPCT.
"Guys and Dolls" will be presented July 31, Aug.1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 in the John Whearty Theater at Westlake High School, 825 Westlake Drive, Thornwood. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinee is at 2 pm. Tickets can be ordered online at www.mpctshows.com. For more information, call 914-773-9171 or 914-769-0958 or email mpctshows@gmail.com.
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