Oliver Platt to Play Nathan in Revival of Guys and Dolls, Opening March 1 at Nederlander

Veteran character actor and Tony nominee Oliver Platt has signed on to play Nathan Detroit in the forthcoming Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls. Directed by Des McAnuff, with choreography by his Jersey Boys collaborator Sergio Trujillo, the production will begin previews on February 3, 2009, at the Nederlander Theatre. Opening night is March 1. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Guys and Dolls features music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Based on stories by Damon Runyon, the musical is packed with hits such as “Fugue for Tinhorns,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Adelaide’s Lament,” “I’ll Know,” “Guys and Dolls,” “More I Cannot Wish You,” “Luck Be A Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”

Guys and Dolls was first produced on Broadway in 1950, directed by George S. Kaufman and starring Robert Alda, Sam Levene, Isabel Bigley and Vivian Blaine. It initially ran for 1,201 performances, winning five 1951 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The most recent Broadway revival, which opened in 1992 and ran for 1,193 performances, starred Peter Gallagher, Nathan Lane, Faith Prince and Josie de Guzman.

Platt received a 2006 Tony nomination for his leading performance in Conor McPherson’s Shining City. Other New York theater credits include Ubu, Elliot Loves and Twelfth Night. He received Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Russell Tupper in Showtime’s Huff as well as Emmy nominations for his guest starring rols in The West Wing and Nip/Tuck. His upcoming feature films include Ron Howard’s Frost/Nixon as Bob Zelnick, Harold Ramis’ The Year One opposite Jack Black and Michael Cera, Nicole Holofcener’s untitled film opposite Catherine Keener; and Roland Emmerich’s epic 2012 opposite John Cusack, Thandie Newton and Amanda Peet.

In an October 8 news story on Broadway economics, The New York Times incorrectly reported that Guys and Dolls had been cancelled for this season. The revival is being produced by Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner and Darren Bagert.

Guys and Dolls will be the first new tenant at the Nederlander since 1996, when Rent which closed last month started its 12-year run.