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Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls is a Broadway musical comedy with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Guys and Dolls is a Broadway musical comedy with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It premiered on Broadway in 1950 and is based on characters and stories by Damon Runyon. The show became a major hit and has been widely revived, including as a 1955 film adaptation.

Origins

Guys and Dolls was developed from Damon Runyon’s fictional New York stories. The musical combines material from several Runyon works, creating a stylized Broadway setting often associated with his characters.

Broadway premiere and success

The original production opened on Broadway in 1950 and became a long-running hit. Sources describe it as one of Broadway’s most successful and enduring musicals.

Plot and characters

The story follows gamblers, showgirls, and Salvation Army workers in New York City. Its central characters include Nathan Detroit, Sky Masterson, Sarah Brown, and Miss Adelaide.

Adaptations and revivals

The musical has been revived repeatedly on Broadway and in the West End. A 1955 film version brought the story to the screen with a major cast.

Key facts

  • Guys and Dolls premiered on Broadway on November 24, 1950.
  • It ran for 1,200 performances in its original Broadway production.
  • It won the Tony Award for Best Musical.
  • The score was written by Frank Loesser, with a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows.
  • A 1955 film adaptation starred Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Vivian Blaine.
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Canadian context

Guys and Dolls has been performed frequently in Canada through professional, university, and community theatre productions, making it a familiar title in Canadian musical theatre programming.

Frequently asked questions

What is Guys and Dolls?
Guys and Dolls is a Broadway musical comedy about gamblers, showgirls, and Salvation Army workers in New York City.
Who wrote Guys and Dolls?
The music and lyrics were written by Frank Loesser, and the book was written by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows.
What is Guys and Dolls based on?
It is based on Damon Runyon short stories, especially "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure".
When did Guys and Dolls premiere?
It premiered on Broadway on November 24, 1950.
Did Guys and Dolls win major awards?
Yes. The original production won the Tony Award for Best Musical.
Was there a film adaptation?
Yes. A 1955 film adaptation starred Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Vivian Blaine.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guys_and_Dolls
    Supports: Composer, librettists, source material, premiere date, original run, awards, and 1955 film adaptation.
  2. PBS — https://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/shows/guys-and-dolls/
    Supports: Premiere date, creators, original run, and significance on Broadway.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Guys-and-Dolls-film
    Supports: 1955 film adaptation details and principal cast context.
  4. Music Theatre International — https://www.mtishows.com/guys-and-dolls
    Supports: Broadway run length and revival history.
  5. Berkeley Playhouse — https://www.tickets.berkeleyplayhouse.org/ArticleMedia/Files/Guys-and-Dolls-short.pdf
    Supports: Broadway premiere, original run, and Tony Award for Best Musical.