Cody Simpson Cast As Lead In Huge New Sydney Production of Guys & Dolls

Opera Australia have announced that Aussie pop star and champion swimmer Cody Simpson will make his Australian musical theatre debut alongside an all-star cast in a new production of the Broadway favourite Guys & Dolls.

Showing at Sydney Harbour’s magnificent outdoor venue Handa Opera in March-April next year, Guys & Dolls is set to deliver show-stopping dance numbers, classic Broadway tunes, and plenty of laughs.

Starring alongside Simpson will be two of Australia’s favourite leading men, the magnificent Bobby Fox as Nathan Detroit and Hamilton breakout star Jason Arrow as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, along with famed leading lady Annie Aitken as Sarah Brown, the object of Sky’s affections.  

Directed by award-winning director Shaun Rennie, the production is backed by a fantastic New York City-like set designed by Brian Thomson, with costumes by Jennifer Irwin. 

With music by Frank Loesser and book by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows, the five-time Tony award-winning musical is chock-full of iconic showtunes, including Luck Be a Lady and Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat. 

Guys & Dolls lead ‘one of my dream stage roles’, says Cody Simpson

Gold Coast native Simpson had an early rise to fame at the age of 14, signing an international record deal after finding success posting covers of songs on YouTube. In addition to his swimming career, he has also toured with Justin Bieber in 2012, released four studio albums, and made his Broadway debut in 2018 as leading man Dmitry in the musical Anastasia.

His role in Guys & Dolls will be his first musical endeavour since retiring from competitive swimming earlier this year.

Simpson plays the lead role of Sky Masterton, which was made famous in the 1955 film by one of the biggest names of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Marlon Brando, who starred alongside Frank Sinatra.  

“The role of Sky has always been one of my dream stage roles ever since I was first introduced to the story and the soundtrack of Guys & Dolls. I fell in love with the film as a teenager when I first developed a passion for musical theatre prior to my debut on Broadway,” said Simpson.  

“I’m drawn to 1940’s-50’s era, the music, the style, the fashion. I’m heavily inspired by the singers and crooners of the era and am excited to introduce this to the next generation. 

“It’s probably why the Guys & Dolls movie is an all-time  favourite and Frank Sinatra in particular, is a major inspiration,” he said. 

Guys & Dolls will show at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour from 21 March to 20 April, 2025.