Details
- Director: Sarah Rivers
- Musical Director: Joe Smith
- Choreography Assistant: Megan Hanson
- Performing: 28 – 31 October
- Location: The Engine Shed, Wetherby
What’s Guys & Dolls about?
Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler, Nathan Detroit, tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, and Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown, as a result. Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.
Launch Night
Join us on our free launch night for Guys and Dolls on Tuesday 11 March 2025. It’s an opportunity to meet the Directors, get to know the group, and learn about this fantastic show. We’ll be learning about the show, the principles, and how auditions work, as well as trying our hand at some movement and singing the fantastic “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat”.
We’ll be launching Guys and Dolls at Deighton Gates Primary School (LS22 7XL) from 7:30pm – 9:30pm.
We hope to see you there.
How to be in the Show – Auditions and chorus sign-up
Auditions for Guys & Dolls take place on:
- Sunday 30 March, 2pm – 5pm
- Sunday 6 April, 2pm – 5pm
We are auditioning all principal cast members. We are asking auditionees to read some dialogue and perform a snippet of a musical number from the show (not all principals are required to sing for the audition).
You can check out the principal cast list and character information below, including what is required in the show.
Check out our audition principals to see how our auditions work.
Ensemble (Chorus)
We have a no-audition policy for our ensemble, meaning if you want to be on stage in the show, you can be!
Ensemble makes up:
- Various characters on the streets of New York
- Salvation Army personnel
- Dancers in Havana
Other minor roles (Joey Biltmore, Agatha, Angie the Ox, Liver Lips Louie, etc) will be allocated at the discretion of the creative team.
Not every ensemble member will necessarily be in every ensemble number – this is dependent on the number of performers, costume changes, and other factors. Parts will be assigned by the director.
We ask that both the chorus and auditionees fill in the Guys & Dolls sign-up form. You will receive audition materials and information (where applicable).
Sign-up for Guys and Dolls
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on wetherbymtg@yahoo.co.uk.
Character list
Sky Masterson (Baritone)
Sky is a suave, intelligent, and confident gangster who naturally commands others’ respect and attention. Handsome, with buckets of stage presence and sex appeal, his natural warmth and charisma mean he is familiar with attracting the attention of the ladies but finds himself falling in love with the one woman who brushes off his advances.
- Some dance / movement required
- Stage Kiss required
- Solo singing required
Sarah Brown (Soprano)
Sarah has a genuine passion for her calling and compassion for her ‘fold’. She gives Sky an initial frosty response – in part because she is surprised at how attracted to him she is, resulting in a tussle of head vs heart as she explores these new feelings.
She goes on a journey of reconciling her feelings with her beliefs, and changing some of her prejudices so that she can follow her heart.
- Must be able to play convincingly drunk
- Stage kiss required
- Solo singing required
Nathan Detroit (Baritone)
Nathan is the heart and soul of Guys and Dolls. The organiser of the floating crap game, and with a tendency towards neuroticism, Nathan is a lovable rogue who is always struggling to stay one step ahead of the pack and looking for the big break he never seems to get.
- Funny and frustrated but romantic and genuinely in love with Adelaide.
- Some dance / movement required
- Some Solo singing required
Miss Adelaide (Alto)
Lead performer at the ‘Hot Box’, the local cabaret joint. Adelaide is passionate and forthright and knows what she wants and how to get it. A strong female lead with bags of stage presence and personality, Adelaide is a force to be reckoned with.
- Dance/movement required
- Some comedy understanding is required
- Solo singing required
Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Tenor)
Best pal to Nathan Detroit, with a voracious appetite and boundless enthusiasm. Nicely is nice by nature and name. Comic, cheerful, and likeable, he is an eternal optimist. Delivers the 11 o’clock number ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’
- Some dance / movement required
- Eats on stage
- Solo singing required
Benny Southstreet (Baritone)
Nicely’s pal and one of Nathan’s inner circle. Benny is the everyman of the piece, not an experienced gangster but more of a novice, he asks the questions the audience needs to know. Benny is charming and has a sweet innocence that can be mistaken for stupidity.
- Solo singing required
- Dance / movement required
Harry the Horse (Spoken, no solo singing)
A local gangster that has recently come into some money by collecting the reward on his father. Sidekick and mouthpiece to Big Jule, so although a pleasant rogue, is more on the ball than other characters, and can be a cool customer who is able to stand his ground when necessary.
- Sings with ensemble but not alone
- Dance / movement required
Big Jule (Spoken, no solo singing)
Powerful, intimidating, high-status gangster from out of town, whose reputation precedes him. A man of few words but much clout. There is comedy in his straight-talking bluntness. Carries a gun. Enters the story part way through the first act.
- Sings with ensemble but not alone
- Some dance / movement required
Arvide Abernathy (Baritone)
Sarah’s Grandfather and significant member of the Salvation Army mission. Wise, warm, and caring
- Solo singing required
Rusty Charlie (Baritone)
- Sings the trio ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’ with Benny and Nicely
- Solo singing required
- No spoken lines
Lt. Brannigan (Spoken)
Tough-talking member of the local police force, wise to the gangsters’ exploits and trying to keep them in order. Commands respect from Nathan and the guys.
- No dance
- No song
General Matilda Cartwright (Spoken)
Regional representative of the Salvation Army. Powerful, matronly, no-nonsense with a formidable presence and actually a sense of humour
Hot Box Girls
- Performers at the Hot Box cabaret.
- Dance required
- Will also double as other ensemble parts
Gangsters
- Male crapshooters
- Dance required
- Will also double as other ensemble parts
Have you grabbed your tickets for our next show, Breezeblock Park, yet?