Step into the world of Broadway’s most colorful characters and the prose that inspired them. This course invites participants to explore the vibrant intersection of Damon Runyon’s short stories and Frank Loesser’s musical genius, culminating in the iconic musical, Guys and Dolls. Through presentations and discussions, we’ll examine the themes, language, music, and legacy of these two American originals. We will explore Runyon’s stylized storytelling about gamblers, luck, romance, showmanship, and urban folklore and Loesser’s dazzling lyrical wit. Sit down, we’re rockin’ the boat!

Format: We will read the Damon Runyon short stories that inspired Guys and Dolls and created the characters that inhabit it, learn the iconic “Runyonese,” study the ingenious lyrics and musical inventiveness of Loesser’s songs, and more. Participants will make a presentation or lead a discussion of any syllabus topic that resonates with them.

Resources/Expenses: The optional text for our course is Damon Runyon, Guys and Dolls and Other Writing (Penguin Classics, 2008), available from Amazon for $19.52 or Kindle for $11.99. We have located free online sources for the stories we will discuss in class, the 1955 Guys and Dolls movie, vintage Damon Runyon Theater broadcast recordings, various audio and video recordings, and more.

Coordinators: Bob Kemp have coordinated numerous courses together.