"Guys and Dolls" Opening Night

Lauren Graham’s Guys and Dolls celebrated opening night on Broadway last night!! In addition to a whole series of photos from the production and from the curtain call from last night, there are a number of new reviews out! USA Today says much the same of Platt, though has little praise for Lauren either. They says she lacks grace – shouting her lines and stumbling her dance. AP says Lauren can sing & dance but she’s missing some poignancy.

The reviews mix the good with the bad. Entertainment Weekly says the show goes a little astray, like a community theater production, and Oliver Platt gets dubbed “no one’s idea of a musical comedy star.” Lauren Graham, on the other hand, who makes her Broadway debut as Miss Adelaide, has a “sure, strong voice” and wins over some laughs though perhaps struggles to play a simpleton.

Bloomberg says that magic happens onstage of Guys and Dolls in the second act and labels Lauren Graham as a “knockout” in the Hot Box Club numbers. Theatermania calls Lauren’s work endearing and Variety says that Lauren was able to put her own “daffy comic spin” on her lines. Though they don’t call her an outstanding Adelaide, they do call her a fun one. Unlike other reviews, Variety says Lauren nailed the poignancy of her scenes.

The New York Daily News says some of Des McAnuff’s direction was off – costumes, sets and dance numbers could be improved. NY1 also says similar things, saying Des was “tone-deaf” in his production.

The Toronto Star had a great interview with Des McAnuff about casting Lauren Graham as Miss Adelaide. He thinks Lauren’s brains & big heart matched perfectly with Adelaide, and also Lauren is a “damn sexy woman” who does Marilyn Monroe-inspired strip routines.

“Guys and Dolls” Show

“Guys and Dolls” Curtain Call

Guys and Dolls is playing at the Nederlander Theater in New York. You can buy tickets here. If you go to the production, leave a comment or email me to tell me what you think – and if you’re lucky enough to get a photo of and/or with Lauren, do let me know so I can share it!

Images: PR Photos & Carol Rosegg (via Barlow Hartman)