Guys and Dolls Returns to Broadway

Guys and Dolls has returned to Broadway, and the revamped production is receiving less than stellar reviews.

The musical debuted in 1950, and since then has become a regular feature for high school drama classes and community theaters. It has now returned to the Nederlander Theatre.

Entertainment Weekly has said the new production "plays like a very good community theater production, albeit one with considerably pricier sets."

The Chicago Tribune calls the revival, "What it must have felt like to have been one of the victims during the St. Valentine's Day massacre. . . . On the wrong end of a whole lot of intense, desperate scattershot."

The 21st century interpretation includes large illuminated signs, a multi-level platform for the orchestra, and a large projection screen that holds much of the backdrop scenery on it.

Guys and Dolls is a timeless musical comedy that holds catchy tunes, powerful dialogue, and a fast moving story. It is a tale of two couples, the terminally engaged Nathan Detroit (Oliver Platt) and Miss Adelaide (Lauren Graham), and Sky Masterson (Craig Bierko) and Sarah Brown (Kate Jennings Grant). A tale of underground gambling and bright characters, the plot dances around the idea that these ladies will make honest men out of their beaus.

The original run of Guys and Dolls offered 1,201 shows, and grabbed several Tony Awards in 1951, including Best Musical.

The show will be playing at the Nederlander Theatre until Sept. 27.