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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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New Legacy Website Announced For Legendary Comic Playwright George S. Kaufman
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 22, 2024


Explore the newly announced legacy website dedicated to George S. Kaufman, offering insights into the life and works of the legendary comic playwright.

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.

What Was the Golden Age of Broadway?
by Team BWW - Feb 19, 2022


We're studying up on musical theatre's most glorious time- the Golden Age. What was the Golden Age of Broadway all about and what years did it cover? Learn all about the period which began in the 1940s and produced some of the most iconic musicals.

UN DÍA COMO HOY: Nacía Frank Loesser
by Nuria Pedret - Jun 29, 2021


Con motivo del aniversario del compositor y letrista de GUYS AND DOLLS, queremos hacer un repaso de su biografía y de sus canciones más icónicas

The 101 Greatest Musical Theatre Characters (1940-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best musical theatre characters from 1940-2020; see if your favorites are on our list of the best characters from Broadway musicals.

TACT's THREE WISE GUYS Begins Performances Tomorrow
by Julie Musbach - Feb 27, 2018


TACT/ The Actors Company Theatre (Scott Alan Evans, Artistic Executive Director; Nora Chester & Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Associate Artistic Directors), the award-winning Off-Broadway company celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, will begin performances tomorrow, Wednesday, for Three Wise Guys, the World Premiere of a new comedy by Scott Alan Evans & Jeffrey Couchman, based on Damon Runyon's short stories, "Dancing Dan's Christmas" and "The Three Wise Guys."  

TACT Announces Cast For THREE WISE GUYS
by Julie Musbach - Jan 3, 2018


TACT/ The Actors Company Theatre (Scott Alan Evans, Artistic Executive Director; Nora Chester & Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Associate Artistic Directors), the award-winning Off-Broadway company celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, today announced the cast for Three Wise Guys, the World Premiere of a new comedy by Scott Alan Evans & Jeffrey Couchman, based on Damon Runyon's short stories, 'Dancing Dan's Christmas' and 'The Three Wise Guys.'

Berkeley Playhouse Presents GUYS & DOLLS, Now thru 4/28
by BWW News Desk - Mar 21, 2013


Berkeley Playhouse continues its fifth season with the Tony Award-winning GUYS AND DOLLS. Jon Tracy (Berkeley Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Magic Theatre) helms this musical from the Golden Age of Broadway, featuring a cast of 22, and choreography by Chris Black (Berkeley Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company). GUYS AND DOLLS plays tonight, March 21 through April 28 (Press opening: March 23) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Berkeley Playhouse to Present GUYS & DOLLS, 3/21-4/28
by Kelsey Denette - Feb 12, 2013


Berkeley Playhouse continues its fifth season with the Tony Award-winning GUYS AND DOLLS. Jon Tracy (Berkeley Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company, Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Magic Theatre) helms this musical from the Golden Age of Broadway, featuring a cast of 22, and choreography by Chris Black (Berkeley Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company). GUYS AND DOLLS plays March 21 through April 28 (Press opening: March 23) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($17-60) and more information, the public may visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351.

Photo Flash: Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie and More at Grant Park Music Festival PERFECTLY FRANK Rehearsal
by BWW News Desk - Jul 12, 2012


Grant Park Music Festival concert in Chicago's Millennium Park will host a a concert on July 13 and 14, 2012, entitled “Perfectly Frank: From Broadway to Hollywood.' The show is a tribute to Frank Loesser, featuring Broadway's Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Howard McGillin. Check out the cast in rehearsal below!

Chicago's Grant Park Music Festival Kicks Off Today, July 4th
by BWW News Desk - Jul 4, 2012


Summer in Chicago continues this month with the Grant Park Music Festival, led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar and the Grammy Award-nominated Grant Park Orchestra, along with Chorus Director Christopher Bell and the Grant Park Chorus in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park. The Festival will bring performances by outstanding guest conductors and guest artists from around the world, in a month of exciting programming that includes a world premiere commission, a live concert screening of Frozen Planet, the latest hit series from BBC/Discovery Channel, a tribute concert to Broadway and Hollywood legend, Frank Loesser and other Festival favorites.

Chicago's Grant Park Music Festival Kicks Off in July
by BWW News Desk - May 11, 2012


Summer in Chicago continues this July with the Grant Park Music Festival, led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar and the Grammy Award-nominated Grant Park Orchestra, along with Chorus Director Christopher Bell and the Grant Park Chorus in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park. The Festival will bring performances by outstanding guest conductors and guest artists from around the world, in a month of exciting programming that includes a world premiere commission, a live concert screening of Frozen Planet, the latest hit series from BBC/Discovery Channel, a tribute concert to Broadway and Hollywood legend, Frank Loesser and other Festival favorites.

Kaufman and Hart's ONCE IN A LIFETIME Opens At A.C.T.
by BWW News Desk - Sep 22, 2011


The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) 2011-12 season opens with a new revival of the dazzling George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart 1930 comedy Once in a Lifetime, which has been called 'a delicious Hollywood send up' (The New York Times) and 'a tinseltown satire [with] bite' (Newsday).

Kaufman and Hart's ONCE IN A LIFETIME Opens At A.C.T.
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 29, 2011


The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) 2011-12 season opens with a new revival of the dazzling George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart 1930 comedy Once in a Lifetime, which has been called 'a delicious Hollywood send up' (The New York Times) and 'a tinseltown satire [with] bite' (Newsday).

Kaufman and Hart's ONCE IN A LIFETIME Opens At A.C.T.
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 1, 2011


The American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) 2011-12 season opens with a new revival of the dazzling George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart 1930 comedy Once in a Lifetime, which has been called 'a delicious Hollywood send up' (The New York Times) and 'a tinseltown satire [with] bite' (Newsday).

Five-time Tony Award Winning Choreographer Kidd Dies at 92
by BWW News Desk - Dec 25, 2007


Five-time Tony Award winner and Honorary Academy Award winning choreographer Michael Kidd passed away on December 23 in Los Angeles from cancer. Kidd was 92, as reported by the New York Times.

Guys and Dolls History

Other Productions of Guys and Dolls

1950   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1951   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1953   West End London Production
West End
1955   Broadway City Center Revival
Broadway
1959   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
1965   Broadway City Center Revival
Broadway
1966   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1976   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1982   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
1984   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
1992   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1996   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
2001   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
2004   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2005   West End London Revival
West End
2009   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2012   Beverly, MA (Regional) Northshore Music Theatre Revival
Beverly, MA (Regional)
2016   West End West End Revival Production
West End

Guys and Dolls - 1950 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1982 Olivier Awards Actor of the Year in a Musical Bob Hoskins
1951 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Frank Loesser
1951 Theatre World Awards Performance Isabel Bigley
1951 Tony Awards Best Choreography Michael Kidd
1951 Tony Awards Best Direction George S. Kaufman
1951 Tony Awards Best Musical Frank Loesser
1951 Tony Awards Best Musical Jo Swerling
1951 Tony Awards Best Musical Abe Burrows
1951 Tony Awards Best Musical Cy Feuer
1951 Tony Awards Best Musical Ernest H. Martin
1951 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Robert Alda
1951 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Isabel Bigley

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