Every high school in the United States has probably put on the great Broadway musical "Guys And Dolls," and I would wager a bet that a number of those student productions have more life and charm than the lackluster revival that just opened on Broadway.

Talent notwithstanding, and there is a lot of it, this "Guys and Dolls" is so leaden and uninspired, it might as well be called "Men and Women."

The principal performers are one part of the problem - they're a mixed bag of musical novices and miscasting.

Oliver Platt as Nathan Detroit is a big downer. His acting chops are always apparent but he lacks the jaunty finesse to sell the part of the irresistibly degenerate gambler. The tall, imposing actor comes off as a palooka with almost zero stage presence, when he should dominate the stage.

Adelaide is played by Lauren Graham of TV and film fame. She looks terrific and has a voice but she's just not ready for the primetime of Broadway, despite a very game effort.

First-class actor Craig Bierko plays Sky Masterson but somehow doesn't fully realize the charismatic pool shark.

Kate Jennings Grant as the straightlaced Sarah Brown is the most successful of the four leads but lacks romantic chemistry.

The bigger complaint rests with director Des McAnuff, whose vision seems downright tone-deaf. Paced badly, the production feels forced and slow.

The Damon Runyon-inspired world created by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows with music by Frank Loesser brilliantly captures a time and place with bigger-than-life appeal. The world McAnuff created on stage comes off as small and self-consciously serious.

The giant projections are truly remarkable but they seem wrong for this work, injecting a sense of gritty reality that doesn't compliment the material.

Sergio Trujillo's energetic choreography stands out but it never has a chance to cut loose.

Some of the supporting players are sensational. Tituss Burgess as Nicely Johnson seems uncomfortable until his big number "Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat" with the wonderful Mary Testa. The highlight of the show, it comes much too late to keep this clunker afloat.

Fortunately, "Guys and Dolls" is bulletproof, and no amount of production missteps can ruin this classic of the American stage. Still, creating a worthy Broadway revival is always a crap shoot, and this "Guys And Dolls" This one comes up a loser.