Summer of 2004 saw Sheila McCarthy starring in Stratford's production of Guys and Dolls, playing the role of Miss Adelaide, opposite Geordie Johnson's Nathan Detroit. With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, Guys and Dolls has a variety of well-known numbers including "Luck, be a Lady" and "Adelaide's lament." Loesser also wrote the music for five other musicals including, "The Most Happy Fella" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
No stranger to the stage, Ms. McCarthy has also starred in productions of "Anything Goes" (Erma), "The Threepenny Opera " (Mrs. Peachum), "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (Marguerite Blakeney), "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Helena) and "Cabaret" (Sally Bowles).
But unless you've been lucky enough to attend a Stratford performance, you've more likely seen Sheila McCarthy in one of her many television or movies appearances. Although many of her roles are parts of ensemble casts or secondary characters, Ms. McCarthy had the featured role of Polly in "I've Heard the Mermaids Singing" (1987).
"I've heard the Mermaids Singing" is the comedic tale of a kooky girl named Polly, who gets a job in an art gallery. Polly becomes fascinated with her new boss and a world unfamiliar to her naive personality, getting herself into all sorts of trouble. Polly, an amateur photographer, uses her pictures to escape her realities. (McCarthy also had a lead role in the film George's Island, 1991).
With a list of over fifty film and television credits, Sheila McCarthy has worked with an incredible amount of Hollywood talent including Liza Minnelli, Shelley Winters, Linsday Lohen, Bruce Willis and a long list too numerous to mention them all.
Another quirky film where Sheila McCarthy gives a notable performance is the 1991 movie, "Steppin' out". Joined by fellow Canadian, Andrea Martin, McCarthy plays the housewife of a business executive who fills her days with volunteer work and living up to the expectations of her husband's every need. Her character, Andy, decides to sign up for an adult tap dance class, being taught by Minnelli's character. Andy is an introvert, lacking in any self-confidence, who needs this outlet for herself. When her husband finds out about a performance, he forbids her to participate, but she defies him, breaking free from her bondage. In this large ensemble cast filled with many big names, McCarthy's portrayal of Andy stands strong.
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