As the overture ends, Benny Southstreet, Nicely-Nicely Johnson, and Rusty Charlie discuss the day’s races ("Fugue for Tinhorns"). A Mission Band enters ("Follow the Fold"), led by Miss Sarah Brown. Sarah denounces the vices of gamblers and exits.
Lieutenant Brannigan enters, looking to break up Nathan Detroit’s gambling ring. Nathan arrives without noticing him and quickly puts his foot in his mouth. Brannigan leaves and the gamblers brainstorm where to hold the crap game ("The Oldest Established"). The Biltmore Garage seems ideal but requires a $1,000 fee. Nathan decides to swindle Sky Masterson (a big-time player in town) out of the money needed. As the Mission Band approaches ("Follow the Fold – Reprise"), Nathan gets Sky to bet that Sky can convince any doll to go with him to Havana. Nathan chooses Miss Sarah.
Sky visits the Save-a-Soul Mission and pretends to be a sinner, but Sarah sees through his lies. After switching tactics to get her to agree to attend dinner with him, which she refuses, Sky presses Sarah to tell him what type of guy she would be interested in ("I’ll Know"). Sky kisses Sarah; she slaps him.
At the Hot Box, Adelaide and the girls perform their big number (A Bushel and a Peck). Afterwards, Adelaide explains to Nathan that her lingering cold may be psychological, caused by the fact that Nathan won’t marry her ("Adelaide’s Lament"). Benny tells Nicely that Nathan should start lining up the game because he’s sure to win. Realizing that Nathan is with Adelaide, the two gamblers bemoan the “worldwide weakness” of men ("Guys and Dolls").
Back at the Mission, General Cartwright, the head of the Save-a-Soul Mission, arrives and tells them the Mission will close. Sky enters and bargains with the General, inviting her to the upcoming prayer meeting, where Sarah guarantees one dozen sinners in attendance. In doing so, she has accepted Sky’s dinner invitation. On the street again, Nathan still doesn’t have a location for the game.
Lt. Brannigan arrives and Benny convinces the lieutenant that they are gathered for a bachelor dinner in honor of Nathan’s wedding (forcing Nathan to agree to elope with Adelaide). The Mission Band enters without Sarah. Realizing he’s lost the bet and can’t get a place for the game, Nathan faints.
In Havana, Sarah is enjoying a few too many of the drinks Sky ordered and explains to him how she’s feeling ("If I Were A Bell"). Suddenly having real emotions for Sarah, Sky realizes it’s best to head back to New York. Arriving outside the Mission, Sky reveals something about himself to Sarah ("I’ve Never Been In Love Before"). They are greeted by Arvide Abernathy and the Mission Band out looking for sinners. They’re interrupted by a stream of gamblers, led by Nathan, pouring out of the Mission just before Brannigan and the police arrive. Sky tells Sarah he had nothing to do with the game, but she is disillusioned.
The next night at the Hot Box, Sky is sitting in the audience looking dejected. After learning from Nicely that Nathan will not elope with her, Adelaide complains to him that Nathan won’t change his ways and again laments her condition ("Adelaide’s Second Lament").
Meanwhile, Arvide presses Sarah to be honest about her feelings for Sky. Sky arrives and reminds Sarah he promised to fill the prayer meeting with sinners.
In the sewers, Big Julie refuses to the let the game end until he is back in the black. Sky tries to convince the gamblers to attend the prayer meeting and bets them one thousand dollars each against their souls. If he wins, they go to the meeting ("Luck Be a Lady"). Sky wins.
Above ground, Nathan runs into Adelaide, and agrees to leave immediately to elope but remembers his debt to Sky and abruptly rescinds his offer. She storms off enraged. The gamblers stream into the Mission for the prayer meeting. General Cartwright asks for the men to share their sins with the group ("Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat"). Nathan apologizes to Sarah for his bet with Sky, but explains that no harm was done as he won the bet. The meeting concludes ("The Guys Follow the Fold"). Later, Sarah and Adelaide console each other and decide to try a new approach to love ("Marry the Man Today").
Nathan and Adelaide’s wedding day arrives. The Mission Band enters and we discover Sky Masterson playing the drum in full Mission uniform. He and Sarah are married. Arvide agrees to marry Nathan and Adelaide at the Mission and our story ends ("The Happy Ending").
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.
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: Eb4
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.
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
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.
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
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.
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
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. If you have a large cast of Guys, feel free to make a group of them just Gamblers (Crapshooters). If you do this, consider casting your better movers as the Gamblers. These are great parts for beginning actors and can certainly include girls playing boys parts! Angie The Ox is a gambler with one solo speaking line. 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. One option is to invite an entire class to play Audience Gamblers (for example, Mrs. Wilson's 4th grade class).
Playbill Vault (Original)
Playbill Vault (1955 Revival)
Playbill Vault (1965 Revival)
Playbill Vault (1976 Revival)
Playbill Vault (1992 Revival)
Playbill Vault (2009 Revival)
- Statistics
- Research Techniques
- Probability
- Campaigning
- New York City Geography and History
- Cuban Culture
- Health
- Gambling
Playbill Vault (Original)
Playbill Vault (1955 Revival)
Playbill Vault (1965 Revival)
Playbill Vault (1976 Revival)
Playbill Vault (1992 Revival)
Playbill Vault (2009 Revival)
Billing
Requirements
Author Billing – Guys and Dolls JR.
In accordance with the Dramatic Performing Rights License, all advertising, such as posters and program covers, must include the show logo as provided in the ShowKit® Director's Guide and all of the following author billing.
It is a violation of your contract if you crop or edit this logo in any way.
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Music and Lyrics by
FRANK LOESSER
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Book by
JO SWERLING and ABE BURROWS
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Video Warning
ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW.Included Materials
| Resource | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ACTOR'S BOOK | 30 |
| DIRECTOR'S GUIDE | 1 |
| DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA | 1 |
| FAMILY MATTERS | 30 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| PIANO VOCAL SCORE | 1 |