BBC News reports that Swayze will assume the role of Nathan Detroit July 10. The actor, who also trained in dance, will play a limited eight-week engagement in the classic Frank Loesser musical. Michael Grandage’s production of the Loesser musical opened at the Piccadilly Theatre with Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski as Sky Masterson and Miss Adelaide on June 1, 2005. With a cast that now includes Adam Cooper as Sky, Kelly Price as Sarah Brown, Neil Morissey as Nathan and Sally Ann Triplett as Adelaide, the musical is booking through December 2006.

Patrick Swayze has appeared in the Broadway productions of Chicago, Grease and Goodtime Charley. The actor, however, is best known for his film work, which includes Golden Globe nominations for his performances in "Dirty Dancing," "Ghost" and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar."

The original Broadway production of Guys and Dolls opened at the 46th Street Theatre in Nov. 1950, running 1,200 performances before closing Nov. 28, 1953. Among the premiere cast were Robert Alda as Sky Masterson, Isabel Bigley as Sarah Brown, Sam Levene as Nathan Detroit and Vivian Blaine as Miss Adelaide. Blaine re-created her role for the 1955 film, which also starred Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson, Jean Simmons as Sarah Brown and Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit.