Taken from the Easy Reader
“Damn Yankees”
by Melinda Calvert
Published August 6, 2009
“The Devil did it” is the theme of this rowdy play about a couple of baseball teams vying for the pennant in 1955. The New York Yankees, “Damn Yankees” to Washington Senators fans, have consistently taken the pennant, seemingly since the earth was formed.
One of the most vocal proponents for the Senators is aging ballplayer Joe Boyd (Bob Baumsten), a man who’s “happily” married to his long-suffering wife, Meg (Kim Peterson). Meg puts up with the biggest competitor for her husband’s attention and affection six months out of every year – baseball – because she loves him. Little does she know that Joe is about to make the deal of all deals (you know, the one with the Devil) to push the Senators toward winning the pennant and smash the Yankees.
Mr. Applegate (August Stoten) – aka, the Devil — is a fast-talking, persuasive guy who has Joe in his clutches before he knows what hit him. But Joe, being an “insurance man,” insists on an “out-clause” in case he doesn’t like the way things are going. Applegate, so totally sure of himself and his abilities, agrees to the deal.
So, Joe becomes a young man again with the old Joe disappearing with only a note left behind for Meg. Now known as Joe Hardy (Jason Seagraves), he proves that he’s an absolute phenomenon with the bat. He hits a home run practically every time up. He leads the Senators up the standings to within spitting distance of the pennant. It is here that Joe begins missing his wife and decides he is going to take the out-clause. Applegate, beside himself with fury, brings in “Lola” (Dani Kerry) – you know, the Lola of “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets” fame. Feeling he has done all that is necessary to get Joe to forget his wife, the Devil relaxes.
This production scores big-time with a talented cast, good singing, great songs (“Whatever Lola Wants,” “Heart”), and remarkable choreography and direction by K.C. Gussler. The show is a winner, the storyline fast-paced and thoughtful. The first act may seem somewhat long, but the play entertainingly survives to the end.
“Damn Yankees” is based on Wallop’s novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant. Music and lyrics are by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Gia Jordahl produces and the musical director is Rick Heckman. The professionalism of his talented orchestra is apparent from the first note.
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