Guys and Dolls: Broadway revival, directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, to arrive in spring 2009

The first production of Guys and Dolls to open on Broadway in 17 years will bow in the spring of 2009 at a Nederlander Theatre to be announced.

With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, this brand new production marks the first joint Broadway project by two-time Tony Award winning director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Urinetown) and choreographer Sergio Trujillo since their collaboration on the Tony Award winning musical Jersey Boys.

"I couldn't be more delighted that, after the longest period ever between Broadway productions of Guys and Dolls, Des McAnuff has agreed to direct this brand new production. This is the first reunion of Des with Frank's work since his brilliant production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which I absolutely adored" said Jo Sullivan Loesser, widow of the late Frank Loesser.

Guys and Dolls brings to life the Broadway of the 1940's, inhabited by gamblers, nightclub performers and members of the Salvation Army, in search of sinners to cure. The score includes the songs 'Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat', 'Luck Be A Lady Tonight' and 'Take Back Your Mink'.

The musical is based on 'The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown' and 'Blood Pressure,' two short stories by Damon Runyon. It also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories, most notably 'Pick the Winner'.

Guys and Dolls was first produced on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre, opening on 24 Nov 1950. It was directed by George S. Kaufman and starred Robert Alda, Sam Levene, Isabel Bigley and Vivian Blaine. The productioin won 5 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Director, Best Choreography (Michael Kidd), Best Actor (Robert Aida) and Best Festured Actress (Isabelle Bigley).

The musical enjoyed an initial run of 1,201 performances, winning five 1951 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Director, Best Choreography (Michael Kidd), Best Actor (Robert Aida) and Best Festured Actress (Isabelle Bigley).

The show was revived on Broadway in 1955, 1965, 1977 and 1995.

"Guys and Dolls may well be the greatest musical of all time; it is inarguably one of them. I consider it a tremendous responsibility and a wonderful opportunity to direct it on Broadway. It has been a career-long goal of mine," said director Des McAnuff.

Casting and design team will be announced shortly.

Des McAnuff (Director) is a two-time Tony Award-winning director and was recently named Artistic Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, where he is currently directing 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Caesar and Cleopatra' (starring Christopher Plummer). His 2006 Broadway production of Jersey Boys garnered four Tony awards, including Best Musical.

Sergio Trujillo (Choreographer) choreographed the 2006 Tony Award Best Musical, Jersey Boys, for which he received both Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, and the Broadway musical 'All Shook Up' (2005). Trujillo was a replacement 'Guy' in the 1992 revival of 'Guys and Dolls'. As a performer he has also appeared on Broadway in 'Fosse' (1999) and 'Jerome Robbins' Broadway' (1989).

Frank Loesser (Music and Lyrics) has written five Broadway musicals: 'Where's Charley?,' 'Guys And Dolls,' 'The Most Happy Fella,' 'Greenwillow' and 'How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.'

Jo Swerling (Book) was both a playwright and lyricist, as well as writing the book for Guys and Dolls, he wrote the book and lyrics to the Broadway musical revue 'The New Yorkers' (1927). His comedy 'Kibitzer' played on Broadway in 1929.

Abe Burrows (Book) wrote and/or directed many Broadway musicals: Guys and Dolls, 'Make a Wish,' 'Two on the Aisle,' 'Three Wishes for Jamie,' 'Say, Darling,' 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' 'Cactus Flower,' 'Can-Can,' 'Silk Stockings,' 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' 'Good News' (1974 revival), and many others.