Guys and Dolls (1964)

Performances

November 6-8, 13-15, 19-21, 1964

Venue

Community Players Theatre

Synopsis

Nathan Detroit, the organizer of the “Oldest Established Permanent Traveling Crap Game in New York,” bets Sky Masterson $1,000 that he can’t make the next girl he sees fall in love with him—Miss Sarah Brown of the Save-a-Soul Mission. Meanwhile, Nathan’s lady and the main attraction at the Hot Box Night Club—Miss Adelaide, only wants to get married. Sky, having fallen in love with Sarah Brown, returns to New York and bets all of the gamblers: if Sky wins, they attend the Save-a-Soul Mission and repent, if he loses Sky will pay the gamblers each $1,000. Sky wins, the gamblers repent, and the mission is saved from closure. Sky marries Sarah and Nathan, after 14 years, marries Miss Adelaide in a double wedding finale.

Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows

Historian’s Corner

“Guys and Dolls,” the classic Frank Loesser musical, was scheduled to open the Players 42nd season as the first musical to be presented in the Robinhood Lane Theatre. Former Chicago actress Mrs. Joan Wahl, who played Liat in the Chicago run of South Pacific, was named director. It was stated in the Pantagraph audition article that interviews for the principle roles would be held on Sept. 8th, and then tryouts for the secondary roles would be Sept. 9th. The audition notice was titled,”Calling All Tinhorns.” Mr. Henry Charles, voice chairman at Illinois Wesleyan University was named musical director. The show was originally scheduled for a run of seven performances, but due to the high ticket demand by opening night, an additional weekend run was scheduled and promptly sold out.