New Complete Recording of Guys and Dolls

Thoughts on the upcoming complete recording of Guys and Dolls from the same people that brought us complete versions of Oklahoma!, Carousel, and My Fair Lady? I've overall been really enjoying these recordings -- I'm a sucker for a complete anything. I was a little disappointed that Guys and Dolls was picked for the next release, since for me there's no need to look beyond the 1992 revival recording as the definitive version (plus that production was my very first Broadway show) and it already feels pretty complete. But I of course will give the new one a listen. Three tracks have been released on Spotify so far.

The original orchestrations were actually by George Bassman and Ted Royal. They were restored by Larry Moore for this recording. I much prefer the Michael Starobin charts from 1992 - they are genius.

Updated On: 8/24/26 at 11:42 AM

Agreed that the sensational Michael Starobin orchestration is the best... or at least so ingrained in my conception of what Guys and Dolls IS that it's hard to hear anything else as exciting. And I think --- whether they are conscious of it or not --- this is true for many, many fans of the show.

But it will be great to have this as a historical document, and I'll listen with an open mind.