‘Guys and Dolls’: The ’Perfect' Musical Comedy

Seventy-five years from its Broadway premiere, a cherished musical revival continues to hit all the right notes.

(L to R): David Geinosky, Cary Lovett, and Miguel Long in "Guys and Dolls," from Music Theater Works, now playing through March 30 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Brett Beiner

SKOKIE, Ill—It’s been 75 years since “Guys and Dolls” opened in 1950 on Broadway. At that time, it received glowing reviews from critics and raked in big box office bucks from theatergoers. It has since played worldwide and now is in a triumphant revival at Music Theater Works at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.

Why, one wonders, is the musical still held in such high esteem, with some calling it the most “perfect” musical comedy ever, and why has it remained so popular for three-quarters of a century?