Guys and Dolls 1950

Opened: November 24, 1950

Guys and Dolls - 1950 - Broadway History , Info & More

Erlanger Theatre
N 21st St. & Market St. Philadelphia, PA

Based on a story ("The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown") and characters by Damon Runyon

Bustling with gamblers, gangsters, and sassy showgirls, GUYS AND DOLLS celebrates Broadway's golden era with one of the greatest scores ever written for a musical by the legendary Frank Loesser, a masterfully witty book and lyrics by Joe Swerling and comedy legend Abe Burrows, and the glorious Damon Runyon's comic book world of 1940s Times Square New York City.



GUYS AND DOLLS originally conquered Broadway in 1951 as the winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical and again in 1992 with 4 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. The New York Times calls it "The show that defines Broadway dazzle!" A movie version ofGUYS AND DOLLS was released in 1953 starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.

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Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook Terrace
by Tina St. Angelo Wetzel - Apr 19, 2024


The number of sinners at the mission impresses General Cartwright (Heidi Kettenring in another comedic gem), especially Big Jule (KC McNeil in his Drury debut).  As Adelaide and Nathan are trying to leave to get married, the mission band arrives with its new leader Sky Masterson. He and Sarah were married at the mission by Sarah’s grandfather, Arvide (Gene Weygandt). In front of all the guys and dolls, Nathan and Adelaide are married to the delight of the assembled group of Runyon’s Broadway characters.

Lyric Stage Announces GUYS & DOLLS, Free Summer Concerts, And More for 31st Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 16, 2024


Discover the exciting lineup for LYRIC STAGE's 31st season and don't miss their new free summer concerts in June and July. Stay tuned for more updates and performance details.

Review: 54 LOVES CAST ALBUMS at 54 Below Is a Love-In
by Rob Lester - Mar 21, 2024


54 Loves Cast Albums. Don't you? Some of the top tracks and deep cuts come to life on stage at 54 Below in yet another of their Broadway celebrations on March 7th. If you love cast albums, you'd likely love 54 LOVES CAST ALBUMS.

Review: GUYS & DOLLS, Bridge Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Mar 12, 2024


The challenge of updating theatrical classics has led to some truly stunning theatre, such as the sell-out Cabaret and last year’s darkly stark OKLAHOMA! Frank Loesser’s 1950 musical comedy about sin and romantic salvation during the height of Prohibition was ripe for an update and Nicholas Hytner’s immersive production of Guys & Dolls has been thrilling critics and audiences alike since it opened last year.

Broadway Theatres to Dim Lights in Memory of Chita Rivera
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 6, 2024


The Broadway community will honor the memory of Chita Rivera by dimming the lights of Broadway theatres.

The James And Deborah Burrows Foundation Establishes $10,000 Abe Burrows Award For Assistant Directors At SDC Foundation
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 11, 2024


The James And Deborah Burrows Foundation Establishes $10,000 Abe Burrows Award For Assistant Directors At SDC Foundation. The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) announces the creation of the Abe Burrows Award for Assistant Directors, a $10,000 unrestricted award for assistant directors. Applications are now open.

Way Off Broadway Will Kick Off It's 30th Anniversary Season With Agatha Christie's A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 14, 2023


Way Off Broadway kicks off its 30th Anniversary Season with Agatha Christie's A Murder is Announced, a classic murder mystery filled with mixed motives, concealed identities, and a determined inspector. Miss Marple is on hand to provide the solution in a dramatic final confrontation.

Review: GUYS AND DOLLS - A MUSICAL FABLE OF BROADWAY at SF Playhouse
by Steve Murray - Dec 6, 2023


What did our critic think of GUYS AND DOLLS - A MUSICAL FABLE OF BROADWAY at SF Playhouse?

California Pops to Host HOLIDAY WITH THE POPS at San Mateo Performing Arts Center This Month
by Blair Ingenthron - Dec 2, 2023


Join the California Pops Orchestra on Dec 17th for 'Holiday with the Pops' at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Don't miss this festive holiday concert!

Tracie Bennett Will Portray Tallulah Bankhead In Industry Readings Of THE CODE
by Stephi Wild - Nov 2, 2023


Tracie Bennett to portray Tallulah Bankhead in industry readings of 'The Code' - a new play by Michael McKeever. Christopher Renshaw directs.Jim Kierstead will present two private industry readings (by invitation only) of The Code, a new play by Michael McKeever (Daniel's Husband, Mr. Parker).

Washington Stage Guild Season Continues With ARMS AND THE MAN
by Stephi Wild - Oct 26, 2023


The Washington Stage Guild's 2023-2024 season continues with the playwright the company has most frequently produced (30 productions of 27 plays), G.B. Shaw and his play Arms and the Man.

Middletown Arts Center to Present GUYS AND DOLLS This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 20, 2023


Experience the iconic musical Guys and Dolls at the Middletown Arts Center. Don't miss this Tony-winning favorite with unforgettable tunes. Find show dates and ticket information here.

Photos: First Look At GUYS AND DOLLS Presented By The MAC Players At The Middletown Arts Center
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 20, 2023


The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present the oddball romantic comedy, Guys and Dolls, a Musical Fable of Broadway, from October 20 to 29, 2023. See photos from the production.

GUYS AND DOLLS Comes to San Francisco Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Oct 18, 2023


Offering a snappy spin for the holiday season, San Francisco Playhouse will stage a new look at the Broadway hit Guys and Dolls.

GUYS AND DOLLS Comes to Middletown Arts Center This Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 4, 2023


 The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present the oddball romantic comedy, Guys and Dolls, a Musical Fable of Broadway, from October 20 to 29, 2023. Learn more about the musical and find out how to get tickets here!

Experience the Classic Musical GUYS AND DOLLS at San Francisco Playhouse This Holiday Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 31, 2023


Offering a snappy spin for the holiday season, San Francisco Playhouse will stage a new look at the hit Broadway musical Guys and Dolls. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Pearl Sun To Lead SUNSET BOULEVARD At ACT of Connecticut
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 29, 2023


Broadway's Pearl Sun will star as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Sunset Boulevard at ACT of Connecticut.

Review: FIFTY KEY STAGE MUSICALS - PART 4 Is A Swell Sampling at 54 Below
by Rob Lester - Aug 24, 2023


The choices made for a satisfying potpourri that didn’t seem to be trying to overdo the “think outside the box” approach or check every possible box to ensure variety in every possible way.

Review: GUYS AND DOLLS Resurrects the Golden Age at Benedum Center
by Greg Kerestan - Aug 15, 2023


The time period may be ambiguous in the classic Damon Runyon musical, but the laughs are undeniable.

Interview: Craig Smith And Anthony Christopher Milfelt of GUYS AND DOLLS at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - Aug 13, 2023


Audiences can enjoy this delightful musical comedy at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre through September 16th. Two of the actors in this production, Craig Smith (portraying Nathan Detroit) and Anthony Christopher Milfelt (playing Rusty Charlie), took some time to tell BroadwayWorld how they feel about Guys and Dolls.

GUYS AND DOLLS is Now Playing at The New London Barn Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jul 5, 2023


Hilarious and romantic, the timeless classic Guys and Dolls is back at the New London Barn Playhouse, after appearing in 2011, running from June 28th - July 9th at 7:30pm with matinee performances on the 29th, 5th, and 7th at 2:00pm and Sunday performances at 5:00pm.

GUYS AND DOLLS Opens at The New London Barn Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 29, 2023


Hilarious and romantic, the timeless classic Guys and Dolls is back at the New London Barn Playhouse, after appearing in 2011, running through July 9th at 7:30pm.

Stolen Shakespeare Guild Reveals Lineup For 2023-24 Season
by Stephi Wild - May 31, 2023


The 2023-2024 season has been announced at Stolen Shakespeare Guild, Fort Worth's esteemed classical theatre company. Join in for the company's 18th season and experience the magic of live theatre with seven incredible productions.

Will Roland, Veanne Cox, and More Join Corbin Bleu and Danielle Wade in Goodspeed's SUMMER STOCK
by Blair Ingenthron - May 23, 2023


Goodspeed Musicals has announced the cast for the world premiere musical comedy Summer Stock, the second production of its 60th anniversary season. Filled with exuberant dance numbers and hits from the American songbook, it is adapted from the MGM/Warner Bros. film Summer Stock and will appear on the Goodspeed stage from July 7 – August 27 in East Haddam, Connecticut.

Jennie T. Anderson Theatre Reconceptualizes Andrew Lippa's JOHN & JEN
by A.A. Cristi - May 16, 2023


Cobb PARKS and the award-winning Jennie T. Anderson Theatre are turning the 1995 musical, JOHN & JEN, on its head. Typically staged with only two actors and a small band of three musicians, this streaming production will feature seven performers and an expanded orchestra of seven musicians.

Guys and Dolls FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Guys and Dolls have there been?
Guys and Dolls has had 23 productions including Broadway which opened in 1950, Broadway which opened in 1950, US Tour which opened in 1951, West End which opened in 1953, Broadway which opened in 1955, Broadway which opened in 1955, Off-Broadway which opened in 1959, Broadway which opened in 1965, Broadway which opened in 1965, Off-Broadway which opened in 1966, Broadway which opened in 1976, Broadway which opened in 1976, West End which opened in 1982, West End which opened in 1984, Broadway which opened in 1992, Broadway which opened in 1992, West End which opened in 1996, US Tour which opened in 2001, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 2004, West End which opened in 2005, Broadway which opened in 2009, Beverly, MA (Regional) which opened in 2012 and West End which opened in 2016.
What Tony Awards has Guys and Dolls been nominated for?
Guys and Dolls has been nominated for several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Choreography for Michael Kidd, and Best Direction for George S. Kaufman.
What Tony Awards has Guys and Dolls won?
Guys and Dolls has won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Choreography for Michael Kidd, and Best Direction for George S. Kaufman.
What awards has Guys and Dolls been nominated for?
Guys and Dolls has been nominated for several awards. It was nominated for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, Isabel Bigley received a nomination for Performance at the Theatre World Awards.
What awards has Guys and Dolls won?
Guys and Dolls has won several awards. It was awarded Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Isabel Bigley, who played a role in the show, won the Performance award at the Theatre World Awards.

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