Opera Australia has announced a new production of the iconic musical Guys & Dolls for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in 2025, which will transport audiences to 1950’s Manhattan, a colourful and glamorous world filled with showgirls and gangsters, set against Sydney’s glittering skyline.
With music by Frank Loesser and book by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows, Guys & Dolls is one of the finest musicals ever written, from its premiere on Broadway in 1950, winning five Tony Awards including Best Musical, the adaptation to a Hollywood film in 1955 starring Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando, to its most recent smash-hit revival on the West End, this musical is filled to the brim with toe-tapping tunes, high-energy, vibrant dance numbers and plenty of laughs.
Breathing fresh new life into this classic musical will be OA’s Artistic Director Jo Davies, who will direct the high-octane production atop a new set designed by Brian Thomson, whose previous Handa Opera on the Harbour credits include La Traviata, Carmen and West Side Story.
The iconic location and a stage that is two and half times larger than any other in the country, presents a huge creative opportunity for a production like Guys & Dolls says director Jo Davies, who will be drawing on her extensive experience directing large scale opera and musicals in unique locations around the world.
“Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is so magical, just the walk through the venue to reach your seat creates such a sense of anticipation,” said Ms Davies.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing a beloved musical like Guys & Dolls, with its wild ensemble dance numbers and brilliantly sharp comedy to this incredible stage. Presenting this magical 1950’s score with a full orchestra and a talented cast on such an epic scale is an exciting prospect,’ said Ms Davies.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is supported by the NSW Government, via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, and through the International Foundation for Arts and Culture as Naming Rights Partner, Dr Haruhisa Handa OA’s Patron in Chief, and OA’s Principal Partner HSBC.
Guys & Dolls will be presented on Sydney Harbour from 21 March – 20 April 2025. Current Opera Australia subscribers can access tickets to Guys & Dolls at their current subscriber discount. Guys & Dolls tickets will also be available as part of the 2025 subscription packages. Tickets will be available to the public from Tuesday 13 August, 2024. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Opera Australia presents Guys & Dolls (supplied)