RIALTO CHATTER: 'GUYS & DOLLS' Producers Say Show 'Has Chance, Has Chance' Despite Negative Reviews

The New York Times is revealing that while the current Broadway revival of "Guys and Dolls" opened on Sunday night to fairly widespread negative reviews, the producers held discussions today about the show's future and have decided to keep it running as they believe in the quality of the production. The first step post opening reports the Times is to focus on advertising and marketing as the far from stellar reviews give those departments less than helpful quotes to nab for media attention. To read the entire article in the Times click here.

Guys and Dolls stars Oliver Platt ("Nathan Detroit"), Lauren Graham ("Miss Adelaide"), Craig Bierko ("Sky Masterson") and Kate Jennings Grant ("Sarah Brown"). The first joint Broadway project by two-time Tony Award winning director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo since their collaboration on the Tony Award winning musical Jersey Boys, Guys and Dolls began previews on February 5, 2009 at Broadway's newly refurbished Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street). The cast celebrated Opening Night on March 1, 2009.

The musical comedy was first produced on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre, opening on November 24, 1950. It was directed by George S. Kaufman and starred Robert Alda, Sam Levene, Isabel Bigley and Vivian Blaine. The musical enjoyed an initial run of 1,201 performances, winning five 1951 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Scenic design is by Tony Award nominee Robert Brill (Assassins, Cabaret), costume design is by Tony Nominee Paul Tazewell (In The Heights, The Color Purple), lighting design is by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Jersey Boys, In The Heights) and sound design is by Drama Desk Award winner Steve Canyon Kennedy (Hairspray, Jersey Boys). The Music Director is Tony Award winner Ted Sperling (The Light in the Piazza, South Pacific) and orchestrations are by Tony Award winner Bruce Coughlin (Grey Gardens, The Light in the Piazza).

Guys and Dolls is produced on Broadway by Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner/Jenkins, Bill Kenwright, Northwater Entertainment, Darren Bagert, and Tom Gregory.

Tickets to Guys and Dolls are $51.50 - 126.50 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4100, www.Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Nederlander Theatre (208 W. 41st Street) Box Office. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday & Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm.

Photo by Carol Rosegg