In case anyone may not know or have forgotten, GUYS & DOLLS is set within the 1920’s – 1930’s deep in the underworld of gangsters, gamblers, and their massive bets. The story mainly centers on “Nathan Detroit” who is in serious trouble. He is struggling with a 14-year engagement to his impatient girlfriend and nightclub singer “Miss Adelaide”. Meanwhile, a notorious gambler expresses interest in a straight-laced missionary. While all of this is going on “Nathan” hatches a plan to still get the cash he needs to finally get married. The musical is inspired by Damon Runyon’s short stories “THE IDYLL OF MISS SARAH BROWN”,” PICK THE WINNER”, and “BLOOD PRESSURE”, It features a notable score by Frank Loesser along with a book by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows. Notable songs from the musical have gone on to become notable Musical Theater / Great American Songbook standards including A BUSHEL & A PECK, ADELAINE’S LAMENT, the musical’s title song, TAKE BACK YOUR MINK, IF I WERE A BELL, I’VE NEVER BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE, MORE I CANNOT WISH YOU, LUCK BE A LADY, and the showstopping SIT DOWN, YOU’RE ROCKING THE BOAT.

GUYS & DOLLS was first conceived by producers Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin. They were inspired by Damon Runyon short stories about the New York City underground world. From there, they hired the full creative team consisting of composer Frank Loesser along with book writer Jo Swerling (who became unusable) and rewritten by Abe Burrows.

The show originally premiered on Broadway in 1950 at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre) running for 1,200 performances. Under the direction and choreography by George C. Kaufman, the cast included….

Robert Alda as “Sky Masterson”,

Isabel Bigley as “Sarah Brown”,

Sam Levene as “Nathan Detroit”,

Vivian Blaine (later Iva Withers) as “Miss Adelaine”,

and

Stubby Kaye as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

The original production was nominated and won all 5 of it’s Tony Awards in 1951 including BEST MUSICAL. In addition, the show also went on to become one of the few musicals ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

From there, the show went on to become a worldwide hit including London’s West End. It went on to be revived 6 times here in the Big Apple.

The first 3 revivals (1955, 1965, and 1966) were all mounted as short runs and were all produced at New York City Center

The 1955 engagement ran for only 31 performances. Under the direction of Philip Mathias and choreography by Oona White, this cast included…

Ray Shaw as “Sky Masterson”

Leila Martin as “Sarah Brown”

Walter Matthau as “Nathan Detroit”,

Helen Gallagher as Miss Adelaide”,

and

Oggie Small as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

It did not receive any Tony nominations or wins that year.

The 1965 engagement ran for only 15 performances. Under the direction of Gus Schirmer and choreography by Ralph Beaumont, this cast included…

the late Jerry Orbach as “Sky Masterson”,

Anita Gillette as “Sarah Brown”,

Alan King as “Nathan Detroit”,

Sheila MacRae as “Miss Adelaine”,

and

Jack De Lon as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

It was nominated for 1 Tony Award that year for BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Jerry Orbach) but lost the category.

And the 1966 engagement ran for 26 performances. Under the direction and choreography once again by Gus Schirmer and Ralph Beaumont, this cast included…

Hugh O’Brian as “Sky Masterson”,

Barbara Meister as “Sarah Brown”

Jan Murray as “Nathan Detroit”,

Vivian Blaine reprising her role as “Miss Adelaide”,

and

Dale Malone as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

It did not receive any Tony nominations or wins that year.

The 4th Broadway revival happened in 1976 playing the Broadway Theatre for a total of 251 performances. This production was known for a having a full African American cast and it featured new Motown style arrangements of the songs by Danny Holgate and Horace Ott. Under the direction and choreography by Billy Wilson, this cast included…

James Randolph as “Sky Masterson”,

Ernstintine Jackson as “Sarah Brown”,

the late Robert Guillaume as “Nathan Detroit”,

Norma Donaldson as “Miss Adelaine”,

and

Ken Page as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

It was nominated for 3 Tony Awards including BEST REVIVAL in 1977 but lost all its categories.

The 5th Broadway revival happened in 1992 playing the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre) for a total of 1,143 performances. Under the direction of Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Christopher Chadman, this cast included…

Peter Gallagher as “Sky Masterson”,

Josie de Guzman as “Sarah Brown”,

Nathan Lane as “Nathan Detroit”,

Faith Prince as “Miss Adelaine”,

and

Walter Bobbie as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

During its 1992 revival, PBS filmed a one hour documentary about the making of that productions cast album. Entitled GUYS & DOLLS: OFF THE RECORD, it was aired on Great Performances that same year but was not released on DVD till 2007.

The 1992 revival was well known as the most successful American remounting of the show since its 1950 Broadway Debut. It was nominated for 8 Tony Awards that year winning 4 including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL.

The recent Broadway revival happened in 2009 playing the Nederlander Theatre (being its first show in 12 years following the departure of Rent) for 141 performances. Under the direction of Des McAnuff and choreography by Tony winner Sergio Trujillo, the cast included…

Craig Berko as “Sky Masterson”,

Kate Jennings Grant as “Sarah Brown”,

Oliver Platt as “Nathan Detroit”,

Lauren Graham as “Miss Adelaine”,

and

Tituss Burgess as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

It was nominated for 2 Tony Awards that year including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL but lost all categories.

Most recently, GUYS & DOLLS was performed on a New York stage back in 2014 as a concert production held at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. Under the direction of Jack O’Brien, choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, and accompanied by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s (under the baton of Rob Fisher), the cast was led by….

Patrick Wilson as “Sky Masterson”,

Sierra Boggess as “Sarah Brown”,

Nathan Lane reprising his 1992 portrayal as “Nathan Detroit”,

Megan Mullally as “Miss Adelaine”,

and

John Tracey Egan as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

The original film version of GUYS AND DOLLS was a huge hit on the big screen. It was released in 1955 from Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Under the direction of Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the cast featured…

Marlon Brando as “Sky Masterson”,

Jean Simmons as “Sarah Brown”,

Frank Sinatra as “Nathan Detroit”,

Vivian Blaine reprising her stage role of “Miss Adelaide”,

and

Stubby Kaye as “Nicely-Nicely Johnson”.

The film won the Golden Globes for Best Picture in 1966. It was also nominated for 4 Academy Awards in the Creative categories.

Today, GUYS AND DOLLS is still one of the most popular musicals performed in Regional, Community, and schools everywhere.

We cannot wait for this new film!!!

The legacy of Movie Musicals is back!!!

Who is excited?!!!