GUYS AND DOLLS A musical fable of Broadway in two acts based on a story and characters by Damon Runyon. Book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling: Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser 46th Street Theatre, New York 24 November 1950 (1194 perfs) London Coliseum, 28th May 1953 National Theatre, London - 9 March 1982 A film version was produced by Samuel Goldwyn in 1955 with Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine, Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando. Story: Act I Amidst the hurly-burly of Broadway, Sarah Brown and her gallant band from the Save-A-Soul Mission endeavour to recruit sinners. Nathan Detroit and the gambling fraternity are more concerned with finding a place for their illegal floating crap game and Adelaide, Nathan's long-time fianc�e, is preoccupied with trying to get him to the altar. Sky Masterson saunters into town and gets suckered into a bet with Nathan that he can take any doll he likes to Havana. Nathan names Sarah Brown, and, undaunted, Sky presents himself at the Mission as a sinner. When this doesn't work, he guarantees her a dozen sinners in return for having dinner with him - in Havana. Sarah's response is he's not her type of guy ("I'll Know"). At The Hot Box night club where Adelaide stars ("Bushel and a Peck"), Nathan promise; her he will reform, Meanwhile, his side-kicks Benny and Nicely-Nicely complain she's taking his mind off his work ("Guys and Dolls"). The arrival of General Cartwright, intent on closing the Mission through lack of support, galvanises Sarah into accepting Sky's invitation. Nathan, still hoping to win his bet and the thousand bucks he needs to set up the game, is having trouble with the gambling fraternity - Big Jule, Harry the Horse and Rusty Charlie, to name but a few - who are getting increasingly restless. The appearance among them of Lt. Brannigan spells trouble, but the day is saved when they tell him they're celebrating Nathan's and Adelaide's elopement. In Havana, Sarah becomes decidedly more friendly after drinking several of the local 'milkshakes' and causes a riot at El Cafe Cubano when she objects to Sky dancing with another girl ("If I Were A Bell"). He is shamed into telling her about the bet and takes her back to New 'fork where they arrive just before dawn -sober, and in love ("I've Never Been In Love Before"). Their idyllic moment is soon shattered; as Arvide -Sarah's grandfather and the Mission Band return wearily from all-night canvassing, the sound of a police siren sends the gamblers scuttling out of the Mission, where Nathan had finally found a place for the game. Act II Adelaide entertains The Hot Box customers ("Take Back Your Mink"), still blissfully believing she is about to become Mrs Nathan Detroit. Arvide consoles Sarah as the deadline for closing the Mission approaches and tries to put in a good word for Sky, who is still determined to honour his pledge. He follows the gamblers - and the game - into the sewer and bets each of them a thousand dollars against their souls on the roll of the dice ("Luck Be a Lady"). When he wins, they are obliged to attend the meeting at the Mission where - after some initial reluctance - they join Nicely-Nicely in giving testimony ("Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat"). Though Lt. Brannigan, hot on their heels, remains unconvinced, General Cartwright is impressed. When Sarah learns that Sky told Nathan he had lost the bet and did not take her to Havana, she realises he can't be all bad. She and Adelaide commiserate with each other on the problems of getting their guys to change their ways and decide the answer is to marry them first, which they do, and live happily ever after. Characters SKY MASTERSON Big-time gambler, thus named to illustrate how high he bets. A good looking young guy with style and a big ego - highly respected by the gambling fraternity. SARAH BROWN Leader of the Save-A-Soul Mission. A beautiful doll of forthright manner and puritan outlook, under which lurks a vibrant personality glimpsed under the influence of several milkshakes laced with bacardi. NATHAN DETROIT Full-time gambler who has run the illegal floating crap game ever since he was a juvenile delinquent. A very sharp guy who lives by his wits, which generally are no match for his adversaries. MISS ADELAIDE Nathan's frustrated fianc�e (of 14 years) and star doll at The Hot Box night club. Suffers permanently from a psychosomatic cold which only marriage can cure. NICELY-NICELY JOHNSON A roly-poly, simple guy with a happy nature, especially when he's eating, whose main function when not playing the horses is to run errands for Nathan. ORCHESTRATION Reed 1: Piccolo, Flute, Alto Sax, Clarinet Reed 2: Flute, Alto Sax, Clarinet Reed 3: Oboe, Cor Anglais, Tenor Sax, Clarinet Reed 4: Tenor Sax, Clarinet Reed 5: Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet Horn, 3 Trumpets, Trombone Percussion 4 Violins, Cello, Bass Musical Numbers: Adelaide's Lament A Bushel and a Peck Crap Shooters' Ballet Follow the Fold Fugue for Tinhorns Guys and Dolls Havana Dance If I Were a Bell I'll Know I've Never Been in Love Before Luck Be a Lady Marry the Man Today More I Cannot Wish You My Time of Day The Oldest Established Crap Game in the World Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat Sue Me Take Back Your Mink http://www.nodanw.com/shows_g/guys_and_dolls.htm
EnglishTwat