# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/21 "2011-07-24T05:56:49Z")
Take her to _Avenue Q_ instead. It’s gotta be for kids - it has puppets! ---
**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, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/22 "2011-07-24T06:47:32Z")
Let me put it to you another way…has she seen _Fiddler_? I’d say that _Fiddler_ is less appropriate for a younger child than _G&D_, if only for the scariness of the Frummah-Sarah scene\*, let alone having to explain pogroms and anti-Semitism. \*Yeah, I know. It’s supposed to be comic-scary, but I have personal experience of seeing a local production of _Fiddler_ when I was about six (I think) and having nightmares about the “crazy lady”. ---
**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, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/23 "2011-07-24T07:05:49Z")
My family was mostly (not entirely) on the winning side. For most of them it was a comedy. “Look at those funny Jews!” ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/24 "2011-07-24T11:13:25Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > 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. That’s from _The Music Man_–as you undoubtably know. ---
**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/25 "2011-07-24T12:20:55Z")
Guys and Dolls was the first musical I ever saw and I remember it vividly if for no other reason than someone thought it would be a good idea to troop 150 3rd graders to neighboring high school to watch the dress rehearsal. Mind you, this neighboring school was like 30 miles away. Looking back, this seems like a really odd thing for a elementary school to do. And if I not mistaken it was a Catholic high school. So that should give you a little idea of the risqueness of the subject matter, ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/26 "2011-07-24T15:26:35Z")
I’ve never seen _G&D_ on stage (I’ve seen the 50’s movie with Frank Sinatra, though), but whenever I listen to the soundtrack, I’ve always wondered: When Adelaide sings “You can treat her all day with the Vitamin A and the bromo fizz, but the medicine never gets anywhere near where the [beat] trouble is…” if the actress is subtly looking down at her… waist. ---
**Author:** ![Morelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Morelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morelin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/27 "2011-07-24T18:41:27Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I’ve never seen _G&D_ on stage (I’ve seen the 50’s movie with Frank Sinatra, though), but whenever I listen to the soundtrack, I’ve always wondered: When Adelaide sings “You can treat her all day with the Vitamin A and the bromo fizz, but the medicine never gets anywhere near where the [beat] trouble is…” if the actress is subtly looking down at her… waist. I thought she was looking at her naked left ring finger. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/28 "2011-07-24T18:59:38Z")
> [@Morelin](#): > > I thought she was looking at her naked left ring finger. Lessee, movie version with Sinatra - looking at ring finger. 2 theatrical versions (high school and a local community production) - looking at ring finger 1 theatrical version (unofficial college theatre troupe) rocking an imaginary baby in her arms. That last one got a good laugh, but I always wondered if it was even remotely true to the spirit of the original production. ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/29 "2011-07-24T19:03:59Z")
I had totally forgotten I’ve seen it…with Ewan McGregor no less…yum! It’s loads of fun and there’s nothing your daughter would have a problem with. I remember taking my kids to Mama Mia when they were 7 or 8 and feeling very grateful they were sitting on the other side of my friend and her daughter so I didn’t have to explain how the girl had three “fathers” until later! ---
**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, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/30 "2011-07-24T19:11:42Z")
> [@j66](#): > > But I found the implied & expressed attitudes to marriage and gender roles appalling. Then you’d have to rule out practically every show on Broadway before the 1970s, wouldn’t you?! ---
**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, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/31 "2011-07-24T19:14:01Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Nathan Detroit > [@jz78817](#): > > From Chicago. Allow me to introduce Don Diego from San Fernando, Don Francisco from San Jose, Don Fernando from San Diego, Don Jose from San Bernardino, and Luis Obispo from Bakersfield. ---
**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, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/32 "2011-07-24T19:15:11Z")
You should also allow your 8-year-old-stage-hag daughter to read this thread. Just to see how much she understands. ---
**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, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/33 "2011-07-24T19:16:38Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > Lessee, movie version with Sinatra - looking at ring finger. > > 2 theatrical versions (high school and a local community production) - looking at ring finger > > 1 theatrical version (unofficial college theatre troupe) rocking an imaginary baby in her arms. > > That last one got a good laugh, but I always wondered if it was even remotely true to the spirit of the original production. I don’t think it is. Adelaide acts as if she’s fed up, **not** as if she’s working under a deadline. And, come to think of it, I’ve read a lot of Damon Runyon’s stories and cannot recall even the possibility of unwed motherhood mentioned in any of them. Considering the subject matter, they’re really very chaste stories. When a guy takes an interest in a doll he has marriage on his mind, always – I can’t recall the Nathan-Adelaide relationship having any counterpart in the stories – at any rate, no guy seems to have the slightest interest in seduction-and-abandonment. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/34 "2011-07-24T19:33:20Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Allow me to introduce Don Diego from San Fernando, Don Francisco from San Jose, Don Fernando from San Diego, Don Jose from San Bernardino, and Luis Obispo from Bakersfield. You forgot Don Du-Duh Don. ---
**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, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/35 "2011-07-24T19:39:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Considering the subject matter, they’re really very chaste stories. When a guy takes an interest in a doll he has marriage on his mind, always – I can’t recall the Nathan-Adelaide relationship having any counterpart in the stories – at any rate, no guy seems to have the slightest interest in seduction-and-abandonment. Agreed. It’s also important to note that when Sky takes Sarah to Havana in the show, it’s just for dinner–nothing else is implied. I imagine the original plan was to fly back to New York immediately after dinner, but the fight and Sarah’s hangover delay their return. But at no time does Sky say (or seem to want to say), “Let’s get a hotel room,” or otherwise take advantage of her while she is drunk. That wouldn’t happen in a Runyon story. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/36 "2011-07-24T19:44:57Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Then you’d have to rule out practically every show on Broadway before the 1970s, wouldn’t you?! ::snort!:: And a LOT of the ones afterwards! ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/37 "2011-07-25T00:57:21Z")
I agree that it’s fine for an 8-year old. My suggestion would be that you get a CD and have her listen to some of the songs in advance, it can be hard to catch the words first time 'round. We did that when our kids were little, exposed them to the songs before taking them to a musical, and we found it helped. ---
**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 25, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/38 "2011-07-25T02:15:30Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > I agree that it’s fine for an 8-year old. My suggestion would be that you get a CD and have her listen to some of the songs in advance, it can be hard to catch the words first time 'round. We did that when our kids were little, exposed them to the songs before taking them to a musical, and we found it helped. This is an excellent idea – and in fact that’s what I did with _Wicked_. Actually, it’s a pretty cool story. Mrs. Chef and I had planned to go see both _Wicked_ and _Avenue Q_, one for my birthday and one for Father’s Day. THEN we found out how much tickets were going to cost and had to scale back. ☹ We decided to see _Avenue Q_ (WITHOUT Lil’ Miss Sous-Chef, of course) and had a great time. I was still blue about not going to see _Wicked_, though. Then I found out that the theater was holding a ticket lottery – if you went down there two and a half hours before any showtime and put your name in the hat, then IF they drew your name you could buy two orchestra seats for that performance for just $25 each instead of $75 each. That kind of uncertainty couldn’t work for Mrs. Chef, who works retail…but she was planning to take a weekend trip to see her cousin get married, and while she was gone, Lil’ Miss Sous-Chef (who was seven at the time) and I decided to try our luck. I made sure she understood that we didn’t have much chance of winning and that we would probably have to keep our bottom lips from quivering and walk away bravely. She solemnly agreed to these terms. At which point, of course, my name was the first one drawn. She started jumping up and down, jabbing me in the chest with extended index finger, and whisper-screaming “That’s YOU! That’s YOU! That’s YOU!” Then we had to race home, grab a quick bite, change into theater clothes, and race back to the theater. Best of all, I’d just worked an acting gig that paid $50, which neatly covered the cost. Pretty good seats, too. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/39 "2011-07-25T12:36:21Z")
You do know about the cheap ticket kiosks, right? South end of Broadway, IIRC (it’s been a while since I was in NYC.) I forget what they’re called, but day of show you can buy unsold seats at major discount (like 50%). ---
**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 25, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123/40 "2011-07-25T14:07:21Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > You do know about the cheap ticket kiosks, right? South end of Broadway, IIRC (it’s been a while since I was in NYC.) I forget what they’re called, but day of show you can buy unsold seats at major discount (like 50%). I’m in Dallas, C K. This is a touring show we’re going to. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-young-is-too-young-to-go-see-guys-and-dolls/590123.md?page=3)