Based on Damon Runyon's story "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown"
Guys and Dolls, Jr.
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser, Book By Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows Based on a Story & Characters by Damon Runyon Directed by Darlene J. Lentz Musical Direction by Timothy D. Turner
Production by Storybook Theater Company.DeLand, Florida
Performances June 7, 13, 14 @ 8 p.m. June 8, 9, 15, 16 @ 2:30 p.m.
All Performances at Sands Theater Center, of the Cultural Arts Center in DeLand, Florida
Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, this Broadway classic introduces us to colorful characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight "mission doll," out to reform the evildoers of Times Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the nightclub performer whose chronic cold is brought on by the fact she's been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game. Everything works out in the end, thanks to the twists and turns of the hilarious, fast-paced book which takes us from Times Square to Havana to the sewers of Manhattan, with a bright, brassy immortal score. Exuberant, irreverent and lighthearted, Guys And Dolls is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy.
Guys and Dolls opened at the 46th Street Theatre on November 24, 1950 and enjoyed a run of 1,200 performances. The original cast included Robert Alda, Vivian Blaine, Sam Levene and Isabel Bigley. The 1955 film version featured Marlon Brando, Vivian Blaine, Frank Sinatra and Jean Simmons. In 1976, a Broadway revival was staged with an all-black cast.
Based on the legendary, multi-award winning musical comedy classic about rolling the dice and falling in love under the lights of Broadway.
Guys and Dolls JR. is an adaptation of the show considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. Its namesake ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950 and won numerous Tony Awards including Best Musical. Frank Loesser's brassy, immortal score and witty book makes Guys and Dolls JR. a perennial crowd pleaser.
Set in Damon Runyon's New York City, Guys and Dolls JR. follows gambler Nathan Detroit as he tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend, nightclub performer Adelaide, laments that they've been engaged for 14 years without ever getting married. Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown. Guys and Dolls JR. takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.
The large cast features both a variety of ensemble and star roles. There are ample opportunities to expand the cast by adding Hot Box Girls, gangsters, missionaries and city dwellers.
Cast
Nathan Detroit Miss Adelaide Sky Masterson Sarah Brown Arvide Abernathy Nicely - Nicely Johnson Benny Southstreet Rusty Charlie Harry The Horse Big Jule Lt. Brannigan General Cartwright Gamblers/guys Hot Box Girls Master Of Ceremonies Dolls Mission Band Ensemble
Musical Director Biography
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Production Company Information
Casting Information
Nathan Detroit Nathan Detroit is the heart and soul of Guys And Dolls JR. Your Nathan needn't be a great singer, but should be a very good actor with excellent comic timing and able to handle a sizable role. His presence must draw the focus in any scene. Cast an actor who can take positive risks with his acting and singing. Nathan's big secret is that he wants to marry Adelaide; he just can't bring himself to admit it.
Miss Adelaide Miss Adelaide is the classic "intellectually-challenged floozy." This actress doesn't need to be a strong singer, but she must have a good sense of pitch. Adelaide needs to be funny and able to do a convincingly thick New York City dialect. Cast an actress that can create a character full of personality.
Sky Masterson Sky Masterson is the quintessential, "smooth-as-velvet" Broadway gambler; he's slick and charming. In today's terms he would be called "a player." Sky should have a strong voice capable of owning the stage when delivering "Luck Be a Lady." He has a soft spot for Sarah Brown. Cast a confident actor who can sing, dance and drive his scenes.
Sarah Brown Sarah Brown is the "girl next door" with an adventurous side that's waiting to escape. She is gently authoritative, the mirror opposite of Sky. Sky is her weakness. Sarah is about substance as much as Sky is about style. She should be an excellent actress as well as singer, and must be able to show two distinct sides of herself. Select an actress who is a triple threat, who pairs off well and can hold her own with your Sky Masterson.
Arvide Abernathy Arvide Abernathy is Sarah Brown's grandfather and the bass drum player in the Mission Band. This part can easily be cast as a girl, changing the character to Sarah's grandmother. This non-singing role is perfect for an actor who can portray a parental type.
Nicely - Nicely Johnson Nicely - Nicely Johnson is walking, talking, Broadway comedy. Select a performer who has fantastic comic timing and is naturally funny. Cast an excellent musician and someone who isn't afraid to take positive risks. He should have the chops to really deliver the showstopper, "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat." Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Benny Southstreet Benny Southstreet and Rusty Charlie are the small-time gambler sidekicks of Nicely- Nicely Johnson. These are perfect roles for good actors who are naturally funny. They should be confident singers (they open the show with "The Fugue for Tin Horns") and have a handle on comic timing. Don't be afraid to cast a girl who has the skills for one of these roles. It is comical to cast contrasting-sized kids for these parts! Benny has speaking lines throughout. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Rusty Charlie Benny Southstreet and Rusty Charlie are the small-time gambler sidekicks of Nicely- Nicely Johnson. These are perfect roles for good actors who are naturally funny. They should be confident singers (they open the show with "The Fugue for Tin Horns") and have a handle on comic timing. Don't be afraid to cast a girl who has the skills for one of these roles. It is comical to cast contrasting-sized kids for these parts! Rusty Charlie's role is just singing. Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Harry The Horse Harry the Horse and Big Jule are colorful additions to the crapshooters crew. They should be strong and humorous characters. They are in all the ensemble numbers but don't need to be strong singers. Their lines are sidesplitting so cast characters that can deliver them.
Big Jule Harry the Horse and Big Jule are colorful additions to the crapshooters crew. They should be strong and humorous characters. They are in all the ensemble numbers but don't need to be strong singers. Their lines are sidesplitting so cast characters that can deliver them. Big Jule is one hulking thug and could be the tallest OR the shortest kid in your cast!
Lt. Brannigan Lt. Brannigan is the police officer that always plays the patsy and is outwitted by the Gamblers. This non-singing role is perfect for a kid who's new to your program to see how he handles himself in a role.
General Cartwright General Cartwright is the formidable leader of the Save-a-Soul Mission organization. This is a great place to feature someone who doesn't have a strong singing voice, but can appear imposing!
Gamblers/guys The Gamblers/Guys are the well-dressed "comic glue" of the show. They are the rest of your male ensemble (except for the Mission Band). A variety of gamblers, pedestrians, workers, NYC folks of all types will work perfectly for this group. Gamblers also include Liver Lips Louie, Society Max, and the Lookout.
Hot Box Girls The Hot Box Girls work in the club and are in the act "A Bushel and a Peck" where Miss Adelaide is the headliner. Cast your stronger singers and dancers here. Time to bring out the "cornball!" MIMI is a Hot Box Girl who has one line.
Master Of Ceremonies The Master of Ceremonies is the host at the Hot Box Club. He has one memorable line, so this is a great role for someone new to the stage.
Dolls The Dolls are other ensemble females that are not Hot Box girls or Mission Band members. These are non-speaking roles and are perfect for performers of any ability. Like the Guys, they can represent a variety of colorful NYC characters.
Mission Band The Mission Band is the tireless group that can be comprised of as many performers as you wish. They are more about persistence than precision. Cast ensemble kids who are not strong dancers but are comfortable with singing and taking stage direction. The Mission Band includes Agatha, Calvin, Martha, and Bertha.
Ensemble Don't forget that you will need to cast Cops and a Street Vendor from your ensemble. Should you have more ensemble than your staging area can handle, add Audience Guys and Dolls. Consider seating them in your stage pit on risers; they can be visually and vocally a huge asset to your production.