Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls [1] is a 1950 American musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser [2] and book by Jo Swerling [3] and Abe Burrows [4].

The original text

Based on The Idyll Of Miss Sarah Brown, a short story by Damon Runyon [5]. It also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories, most notably "Pick the Winner." First produced on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre, opening on November 24, 1950 and directed by George S. Kaufman.

Performance history in South Africa

1965: Produced by JODS at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre in 1965, directed and designed by Anthony Farmer, with Diane Todd, Michael McGovern, Charles Stodel, Patricia Langford and Bradley Harris. It returned for another sell out season the following year.

1970: Presented by the Queenstown Theatrical Society, produced by Agnes Wormald with musical direction by Susan du Plessis, with Roland Hiles, Ulie Rietmann, Agnes Wormald, Cyril Crouch and Mary Kockott. Presented in the Queenstown Town Hall (8-20 June) and the Guild Theatre (26-27 June).

1972: Produced at the Port Elizabeth Opera House, with a cast that included Ampie Muller.

1987: Student production by the University of Witwatersrand (Performing Arts Administration and The School of Music) in 1987 directed by Celeste Litkie. Musical director: Walter Mony. Set design by Paul Roumanoff. Choreographer: Wally Green. Dance captain: Lynsey Shmukler. Performed at The Wits Theatre.

1990: A Baxter Theatre Production of this musical had its first performance on 12 December 1990. The director was Mavis Taylor assisted by Geoffrey Hyland, Darryl Andrews was the musical director and Anne Carstens the choreographer. Costume design was by Ann Sharfman and costumes by Brian Collins. The cast: Cyril Valentine, Basil Appollis, Michele Maxwell, Rick Rogers, Leslie Kleinsmith, Marianne Norton, Joey Wishnia, Tony Hanson, Kurt Wustmann, Warren Kimmel, Camilla Waldman.

1997 and 2013: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society in 1997 and 2013.

2008: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society in 2008, directed by Robin Williams.

Sources

Programme notes of Wits student production, 1987.

Guys and Dolls theatre programme, 1990.

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