The Old Globe announced on Friday that “Guys and Dolls” will be the first production to kick off its 2017 Summer Season, which topped Entertainment Weekly’s list of the Greatest Musicals of All Time, according to a media report.
“Guys and Dolls” is based on the stories and characters by Damon Runyon, said an Old Globe official. The music and lyrics were developed by Frank Loesser, and based on a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Josh Rhodes will be the director and choreographer of the Old Globe’s upcoming production.
The Old Globe says Rhodes is a rising star in his field. He’s returned to the Globe after successfully directing “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” and choreographing “Bright Star.”
This play is a musical fable that tells the story of a man, Nathan Detroit, who must make some serious dough if he’s going to maintain his “oldest established permanent floating crap game,” said an Old Globe official, in a statement. His marriage-minded girlfriend Adelaide also keeps the protagonist fairly busy.
“Guys and Dolls” is filled with show tunes like, “Luck Be a Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and the irresistibly catchy “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” Old Globe officials say the original play opened in 1950.