Guys and Dolls is a classic Broadway musical, adapted from the short stories of writer Damon Runyon, set in the post depression era of the 1950s. The story follows two interwoven romantic-comedy storylines driven by high-stakes gamblers and the women who love them. The production features juxtaposed settings from the neon glitz and glamor of New York City, including Broadway and Times Square, to the gritty underground and tropical Havana, Cuba.
Let’s explore the unique story and settings of Guys & Dolls.
The Story of Guys & Dolls
Guys and Dolls has it all, from gangsters and gamblers to missionaries and showgirls! Set in mid-century Manhattan, this classic musical follows two mismatched couples as they navigate the friction between street-smart hustle and genuine romance. To fund his secret dice game, promoter Nathan Detroit bets smooth operator Sky Masterson that he can’t charm Sarah Brown, a reserved Salvation Army evangelist, into a dinner date in Cuba.
Sky’s scheme backfires when he falls for Sarah, while Nathan scrambles to avoid committing to his nightclub-singer fiancée, Miss Adelaide, who has been waiting at the altar for over a decade. Packed with colorful gamblers and big-band energy, the story ultimately sees both men trade in their wild ways for a shot at domestic bliss.
Guys and Dolls explores several key themes beneath its high-energy musical comedy surface, all driven by the friction between two very different worlds: the seedy underworld of gamblers and the upright world of respectable society.
Featured Backdrops for Guys & Dolls
To set the stage for Guys & Dolls, stage crews should consider backdrops for scenes in New York City, Times Square, Havana, Cuba, a cabaret stage, and a mission office.
Cityscapes
This classic Broadway Marquis Backdrop features a busy New York City street with different Broadway theater signage, bright lights, and showy windows.
This Off Broadway Backdrop features a city street with a triangle intersection, city buildings, and lampposts.
This NYC Tenements Backdrop features a daytime view of the city overlooking tenements from the roof of a building.
Havana, Cuba Backdrops
This Spanish Street Backdrop is ideal for Havana, Cuba Street with stucco buildings.
This Spanish Inn Exterior Backdrop shows the exterior of a stucco building with a balcony across the top.
Nightclubs Scenes
This Nightclub Interior Cut Backdrop features an Art Deco-style club with an attached backing covering a cut door.
Mission Scenes
This Mission Interior Backdrop features a storefront church interior with woodwork, plain walls, and religious markings.
This Mission Exterior Cut Backdrop features a brick front building with two large windows on either side of a practical door.
Whether you are staging a high-stakes Havana getaway, a bustling Times Square cityscape, or a cozy mission interior, our extensive collection has everything you need to bring mid-century Manhattan to life. Explore all 31 Guys and Dolls backdrops at Backdrops By Charles H. Stewart to find the perfect setting for your next production!
