Here's a number from the 1992 Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls, which was a terrific production…one that made clear what a fine, well-crafted show Abe Burrows and Frank Loesser wrote. Before I saw this revival, I'd seen others which had not, especially one in 1980 that was directed by one of the show's original producers, Cy Feuer. Milton Berle starred as Nathan Detroit and mugged his way through the proceedings, winking at the audience and delivering asides that were not in the original text. The reviews said things like, "If you thought it was impossible to ruin Guys and Dolls, this new version will disabuse you of that notion." It played Los Angeles and San Francisco, allegedly to get the bugs out before they took it to Broadway. Instead, it closed in California and seems to have soured the theatrical community on further revivals for years after.
Mr. Feuer reportedly did not like the '92 version but he was just about the only one. I sure enjoyed it and this clip may give you some idea why. The first three actors you'll see on stage have all gone on to considerable success. The gentleman playing Nathan Detroit is, of course, Nathan Lane. The man in the magenta suit is J.K. Simmons, who seems to be in half the movies being made these days, including his role as J. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man films. And the gent in the blue-green suit is Walter Bobbie, who is now one of the top Broadway directors. Here they are doing Frank Loesser proud…
