# How young is too young to go see "Guys and Dolls"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123 "2011-07-24T00:21:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/1 "2011-07-24T00:21:42Z")
Mrs. Chef scored some tickets to see the current touring show of _Guys and Dolls_ next week, but they’re on a night when she’s working late. Normally under those circumstances, I’d take my 8-year-old daughter, the Youngest Theater Hag In The World – but in the past when Lil’ Miss Sous-Chef and I have gone to see a musical together, I’ve always known the show beforehand, and I’m not too familiar with G&D. Those of you who’ve seen it, would you say it’s appropriate to take a girl of eight to see this show? She’s pretty advanced… musical theater she’s seen and enjoyed include such shows as _Wicked_ and the movie versions of _Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray,_ and _Rent_ ( **Edited to add:** She hasn’t seen the whole movie of _Rent,_ but she’s heard the whole soundtrack many times and has seen parts of the movie.) What say you? ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/2 "2011-07-24T00:24:05Z")
Take her. She’ll love it. She’ll love you for it. She’ll sing the songs for the rest of her life. Though not aimed at kids, it’s entirely appropriate for kids. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/3 "2011-07-24T00:30:18Z")
Nathan Detroit\* and Adelaide have been “engaged” 14 years, but a physical relationship is merely a safe assumption, not waved under the audience’s nose. There is, of course, gambling, and that’s the **worst** wickedness with which Save-A-Soul seems to be concerned. Sarah gets drunk on one occasion, there’s no drug use. That’s all, nothing racier. Entirely family-friendly. - Whom I once played in a community theater production. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/4 "2011-07-24T00:55:19Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > …but in the past when Lil’ Miss Sous-Chef and I have gone to see a musical together, I’ve always known the show beforehand, and I’m not too familiar with G&D. Wikipedia has an excellent, detailed [plot summary](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guys_and_Dolls#Synopsis), if you’re curious. Some of the guys _may_ be degenerate gamblers, and some of the dolls _may_ be somewhat less than virtuous, but these qualities can only be guessed at. You might want to be prepared for questions, though–after my first viewing of Guys and Dolls (and I must have been eight or nine myself), I well remember peppering my Dad with questions concerning how to play craps, what “the morning line” was, and what “five to nine” meant. But overall, there’s a good story, lots of hummable songs, and fun dance numbers, all in what I’d say is a family-friendly show. Take your daughter and have a great time! Aside to **Brain Glutton** : I’m another community theatre G&D veteran–Benny Southstreet here. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/5 "2011-07-24T00:57:54Z")
It might be a little long for some 8-year-olds, but there’s nothing in the content of the show that’s inappropriate for a kid that age. I think I first saw the movie when I was around 8. Seen the show several times since, was in a production once in college. I love that show. I still sing the songs. Take her - she’ll love it. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/6 "2011-07-24T01:26:33Z")
And just think…you can sing “I love you a bushel and a peck” to her and she’ll _get the reference_! Priceless! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/7 "2011-07-24T01:31:58Z")
She’ll love it. It’s not as bad as other things she’s probably exposed to every day. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/8 "2011-07-24T01:38:29Z")
There are some burlesque show numbers, but they’re _really_ tame. It’s a great musical, and even if she lacks context for some things I’m sure she’ll have a fun time anyway. The music and the overall show is really pretty upbeat. ETA: The first time I saw Guys and Dolls was in high school when I worked backstage. I didn’t play a part, but helped with set construction and got to watch rehearsals. The cast was really amazing for a high school production. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/9 "2011-07-24T01:41:05Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > She’ll love it. It’s not as bad as other things she’s probably exposed to every day. This. It was probably considered a little seamy in 1950, but today it’s adorably mock-naughty. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/10 "2011-07-24T02:23:25Z")
No, the burlesque scene wouldn’t have been considered risque in the 1930s, let along the 1950s (Busby Berkeley was more so). It’s a great musical, and there’s nothing inappropriate in it (unless you think drinking and gambling is always inappropriate). ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/11 "2011-07-24T02:36:24Z")
How young is too young to go see “Guys and Dolls”? Seventy-one. The gambling, cons, seductions … meh. But I found the implied & expressed attitudes to marriage and gender roles appalling. Great songs, great characters, but I would not want my grand-daughter to see it until she was writing her thesis on “The Changes in Women in American Theater”. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/12 "2011-07-24T02:50:49Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Nathan Detroit. From Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/13 "2011-07-24T02:52:25Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > No, the burlesque scene wouldn’t have been considered risque in the 1930s, let along the 1950s (Busby Berkeley was more so). > > It’s a great musical, and there’s nothing inappropriate in it (unless you think drinking and gambling is always inappropriate). I meant more the gambling and such, not the burlesque. Miss Adelaide is the least scantily clad burlesque star ever. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/14 "2011-07-24T03:16:16Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > What say you? I say fine, because it’s your daughter, not your son. I saw it at about the same age, and my fourth grade teacher sent me to the principal because afterward I was addressing all the girls in class as “doll.” ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/15 "2011-07-24T03:20:42Z")
Gambling is inappropriate these days? Helps you cultivate horse sense and a cool head and a keen eye. Never take and try to give an iron-clad leave to yourself from a three-rail billiard shot? But just as I say, it takes judgement, brains, and maturity to score in a balkline game, I say that any boob can take and shove a ball in a pocket. And they call that sloth. The first big step on the road to the depths of deg-ra-Day-shun. I say, first, medicinal wine from a teaspoon, then beer from a bottle. An’ the next thing ya know, your son is playin’ for money in a pinch-back suit. And list’nin to some big out-a-town Jasper, hearin’ him tell about horse-race gamblin’. Not a wholesome trottin’ race, no! But a race where they set down right on the horse! Like to see some stuck-up jockey’boy sittin’ on Dan Patch? Make your blood boil? ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/16 "2011-07-24T04:41:19Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > I say fine, because it’s your daughter, not your son. > > I saw it at about the same age, and my fourth grade teacher sent me to the principal because afterward I was addressing all the girls in class as “doll.” Oh, my son’s coming too. He’s 17, so I didn’t figure I needed to worry about his tender innocence. And BELIEVE me, there’s zero chance of him calling his female classmates “doll”… he’d have to work up the nerve to talk to one of them first. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/17 "2011-07-24T04:43:44Z")
> [@j66](#): > > How young is too young to go see “Guys and Dolls”? > > Seventy-one. > > The gambling, cons, seductions … meh. But I found the implied & expressed attitudes to marriage and gender roles appalling. > > Great songs, great characters, but I would not want my grand-daughter to see it until she was writing her thesis on “The Changes in Women in American Theater”. I’m sure most of that stuff will go over her head, but whenever I let her see a show that’s above her pay grade (I’m looking at YOU, _Rent_!), I always make time to discuss with her anything she found confusing or anxiety-inducing. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/18 "2011-07-24T04:58:50Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > I’m sure most of that stuff will go over her head, but whenever I let her see a show that’s above her pay grade (I’m looking at YOU, _Rent_!), I always make time to discuss with her anything she found confusing or anxiety-inducing. It DID occur to me reading the OP that if she’s seen _Rent_, there’s nothing in _G&D_ that even really comes close in terms of themes or action. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/19 "2011-07-24T05:15:09Z")
Really. G&D was based on newspaper columns from a hundred years ago. It is not offensive, even to your great-grandmother. Unless she didn’t like gambling. I don’t know because I didn’t know mine. Or yours. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/20 "2011-07-24T05:25:23Z")
_G&D_ is totally safe. If she’s got the attention span to sit through it, it’s one of the most harmless and kid-friendly shows out there. As noted above, some of the gender roles are a little antique, but a moment of conversation with her afterward should clear that up. Few Broadway shows are appropriate than this. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123.md?page=2)