Guys and Dolls Rolls the Dice at Springfield Little Theatre
The sizzle! The stakes! The sweet romance! GUYS AND DOLLS is back at Springfield Little Theatre to close our spectacular 89th season.
When Guys and Dolls opened on Broadway in 1950, it was hailed as “the perfect musical comedy” thanks to zinging lyrics, comedic dance vignettes, and a hilarious culture clash. With gangsters, gambling, and showgirls, there’s never a dull moment in this classic. Nearly 75 years later, the gambling opus still stands as a theatrical triumph.
Damon Runyon’s sharp social observations and slick slang in short stories like The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown inspired the script’s catchy banter that moves as fast as the roll of the dice. The show’s creators Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling, and Abe Burrows began bending lines, lyrics, and even choreography for laughs in a legacy that still influences new productions today.
The hysterical anecdotes of GUYS AND DOLLS are set to a witty, romantic, and unforgettable score. “Luck Be a Lady” became a signature of Frank Sinatra’s inimitable catalog, yet the velvet voiced crooner didn’t actually sing the hit in the 1955 film. The honors went to Marlon Brando in the role of Sky Masterson causing a rumored on-set rift between the two. A true ensemble piece, Sinatra did belt the title song “Guys and Dolls” as Nathan Detroit. Every track is packed with humor from the sneezy “Adelaide’s Lament” to the raucous “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”.
The story hinges on a series of mismatched characters who strike a sweet harmony. Prohibition era New York City holds a feverish reverence for the illegal activities organized by Nathan Detroit. The gambling kingpin and his dizzy showgirl fiancé Adelaide are so endearing, the criminal syndicate captures our hearts. When Detroit doesn’t have the funds to host the next dice game, he turns to high roller Sky Masterson. The big spender, in turn, pursues stern missionary Sarah Brown at the risk of exposing the underground game to Lieutenant Brannigan.
Springfield has a special history with the beloved show. The incomparable Kim Crosby stepped into the lead role of Sarah Brown in the 1992 Broadway revival and MSU graduate Kendra Kassebaum featured as Adelaide in the 2019 MUNY production.
Our own dancing director Chyrel Miller helms a talented cast that crackles with the excitement and glamour of 1930s Manhattan. Catch Sky Masterson (Kaleb Patterson), Sarah Brown (Gabby Catlin), Nathan Detroit (Chad Ferriell), and Miss Adelaide (Brianna Hobbs) as they roll the dice on love once more!
Be one of the lucky ones to catch GUYS AND DOLLS at Springfield Little Theatre May 31 – June 16!
