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Guys and Dolls character breakdown & monologues

Note: If you are not interested in a speaking part, you do not have to read a monologue, however everyone will be required to sing and dance. Accents are not required for the audition, but I would like for you to give the part you are reading a character and personality.

Male roles:

Sky Masterson: Lead, gangster, great singer (sings I'll Know, I've Never Been in Love Before, and Luck be a Lady)

       When I was a young man about to go out into the world, my father says to me a very valuable thing. He says to me like this: "Son," the old guy says, "One of these days in your travels a guy is going to come to you and show you a nice brand-new deck of cards on which the seal is not yet broken, and this guy is going to offer to bet you that he can make the jack of spades jump out of the deck and squirt water in your ear. But son, do not bet this man, for as sure as you stand there you are going to wind up with an earful of cider."

Nathan Detriot: Lead, good actor, ganster, sings minimally

     Good old Sky. With him that kind of money ain't lending money - it's betting money. So why don't I bet him a thousand on something. I am perfectly willing to take the risk, providing I can figure out a bet on which there is no chance of losing. He likes crazy bets, like which lump of sugar will a fly sit on, or how far can you kick a piece of cheesecake - Cheesecake! Ooh! Look, run into Mindy's Restaurant and ask Mindy how many pieces of cheesecake he sold yesterday and also how many pieces of strudel. Now beat it - here comes Adelaide.

Nicely Nicely Johnson: good actor, gangster, good singer (sings Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat, Fugue for Tinhorns and Guys and Dolls)

     The crap game is still going on... since last night. Big Jule being a large loser, does not wish the game to terminate. In fact, he is most insistent. So we find another place and the game goes on. Are you looking for some action?

Big Jule: a big thug, gangster, doesn't sing any solos

     I'm rolling a thousand. And to change my luck I will use my own dice. I had them made for me especially in Chicago. These dice ain't got no spots on 'em. They're blank. I had the spots taken off for luck. But I remember where the spots formerly were.

Benny Southstreet: gangster, sings minimally

     Hey! Nicely! Who are you looking for? Nathan ain't here. I suppose he's trying to see Adelaide. She's mad at him again. That Miss Adelaide. She is always taking his mind off honest work. It's too bad that a smart businessman like Nathan has to go and fall in love with his own fianc'ee.

Harry the Horse: gangster, no singing solos

     Nathan, if there is no crap game tonight I am sure Big Jule will be considerably displeased; and Big Jule does not like to be displeased, as you can find out from those citizens who at one time or another displeased him. Although I will admit it is very hard to find such citizens in view of the fact that they are no longer around and about.

Arvide Abernathy: Sara's father, older, works at the Mission

     Yes, I saw what happened last night - they gambled in our Mission. And some day they'll be praying there. Even a man like Sky Masterson. He came seeking refuge. Well, he came seeking you too. I knew that the minute he started picking on you. But I didn't know you were going to get stuck on him. And don't say you'll get over it. It isn't pneumonia.

Male/Female Roles (could be cast either way)

Lt. Brannigan: tough cop trying to round up the gangsters, loud

     Any of you guys seen Nathan Detroit? I mean the Nathan Detroit who's been running a floating crap game around here and getting away with it by moving it to a different spot every night. I am telling you this because I know you two bums work for Detroit, rustling up customers for his crap game. You can tell him for me: I know that right now he's running around trying to find a spot. Well, nobody's gonna give him a spot, because they all know that Brannigan is breathing down their neck!

Angie the Ox: gangster, no solo singing

     Okay, Nathan - Say, you know who else is looking for action? Sky Masterson! Sky Masterson's in town. Why do you think they call him Sky? That's how high he bets. I once saw him bet five thousand dollars on a cockroach. And another time he was sick, and he wouldn't take penicillin on account he had bet ten C's that his temperature would go to 104.

Other roles (no monologues) Rusty Charlie: gangster, minimal singing and Joey: garage owner, no singing

Female Roles

Sarah Brown: lead, great singer (sings I'll Know, If I Were a Bell, I've Never Been in Love Before, Marry the Man Today)

     Brothers and sisters, resist the Devil and he will flee from you. That is what the Bible tells us. And that is why I am standing here, in the Devil's own city - on the Devil's own street, prepared to do battle with the forces of evil. Hear me, you gamblers! With your dice, your cards, your horses! Pause and think before it is too late! You are in great danger! I am not speaking of the prison and the gallows - but of the greater punishment that waits you! Repent before it is too late!

Miss Adelaide: lead, comedic actress, good singer (sings A Bushel and a Peck, Adelaide's Lament, Take Back Your Mink, and Marry the Man Today)

     Yeah. That slave driver Charlie - he's been working us all day. finally I says, "Look, Charlie, I'm starving! I gotta get outa here and get something to eat." And he says, "You don't want to eat. You just want to sneak out and meet that cheap bum, Nathan Detroit!"

General Cartwright: supporting role, the General in charge of the mission, no singing

     Good Morning Sarah. I got in early this morning. I've spent the last hour trying to find you. There's something I want to talk to you about. Sarah, we at headquarters have come to a definite conclusion. We have decided to close this branch of the Mission. There are so many calls on us - so many other places where our work is really needed.

Other roles (no monologues) The MC in charge of The Hot Box Girls and A waitress in the club

The Hot Box Girls: Good dancers who also sing - lots of personality and stage presence. Mimi is the leader with minimal lines

The Mission Band: Singers and I would like some to play instruments. Agatha and Martha have minimal lines.