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Damn Yankees
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Damn Yankees is a musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop and music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., during a time when the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball. The musical is based on Wallop's novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant.
Damn Yankees ran for 1,019 performances in its original 1955 Broadway production. Adler and Ross's success with The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees seemed to point to a bright future for them, but Ross suddenly died of chronic bronchiectasis, at the age of twenty-nine, a few months after Damn Yankees opened.
Productions
The producers Harold Prince, Robert Griffith, and Frederick Brisson had decided that the lead actress for the part of "Lola" had to be a dancer.
Discussion
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Encyclopedia
Damn Yankees is a musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop and music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., during a time when the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball. The musical is based on Wallop's novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant.
Damn Yankees ran for 1,019 performances in its original 1955 Broadway production. Adler and Ross's success with The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees seemed to point to a bright future for them, but Ross suddenly died of chronic bronchiectasis, at the age of twenty-nine, a few months after Damn Yankees opened.
Productions
The producers Harold Prince, Robert Griffith, and Frederick Brisson had decided that the lead actress for the part of "Lola" had to be a dancer. They offered the role to both the movie actress Mitzi Gaynor and ballet dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, each of whom turned down the role. Although Gwen Verdon had sung just one song in her previous show (Can-Can), the producers were willing to take a chance on her. She initially refused, preferring to assist another choreographer, but finally agreed. Choreographer Bob Fosse insisted on meeting her before working with her, and after meeting and working for a brief time, they each agreed to the arrangement.
Damn Yankees opened on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre on May 5, 1955, transferred to the Adelphi Theatre on May 16, 1957, and ran for a total of 1,019 performances. Directed by George Abbott, the production starred Gwen Verdon in the role of seductive temptress Lola and Ray Walston in the part of Mr. Applegate (the Devil). The musical also featured a young Jean Stapleton before her career-defining role as Edith Bunker in All in the Family.
A West End production played at the London Coliseum beginning on March 28 1957, where the musical played for 258 performances. The production starred Olympic skater Belita (Gladys Lyne Jepson-Turner) as Lola, but the Fosse choreography was alien to her style, and she was soon replaced by Elizabeth Seal. The production also starred Bill Kerr as Mr. Applegate, and Ivor Emmanuel as Joe Hardy.
In the mid-1970s, Vincent Price starred as Applegate in summer stock productions of the show. In the late 1970s and early 1980s former MGM "All-American boy" Van Johnson appeared as Mr. Applegate in productions throughout the United States.
A Broadway revival opened at the Marquis Theatre on March 3, 1994 and ran for 718 performances and 18 previews. Featured were Bebe Neuwirth as Lola and Victor Garber as Mr. Applegate. Garber was succeeded by Jerry Lewis on March 12, 1995 , who then starred in a national tour and also played the role in a London production. Jack O'Brien directed, with choreography by Rob Marshall, assisted by his sister, Kathleen Marshall. There were substantial revisions to the book and score.
The 1994 revival production of Damn Yankees opened in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre on June 4, 1997 (previews started May 29), and closed on August 9, 1997. April Nixon played Lola, with Jerry Lewis reprising his role as Mr. Applegate.
A revival was produced by the City Center Encores! Summer Stars series from July 5-27, 2008. It starred Jane Krakowski as Lola, Sean Hayes as Applegate, Randy Graff as Meg, Megan Lawrence as Gloria Thorpe (replacing an injured Ana Gasteyer during rehearsal), PJ Benjamin as Joe Boyd, and Cheyenne Jackson as Joe Hardy. John Rando directed and the original Fosse choreography was reproduced by Mary MacLeod. Given the substantial changes in the 1994 revival, this is considered by some the first authentic revival of the original production.
Plot
Meg complains about her husband, Joe Boyd, a long-suffering, middle-aged fan of the Washington Senators baseball team.("Six Months Out Of Every Year"). After Meg has gone to bed, Joe suddenly meets a slick salesman, Mr. Applegate, who is in reality the Devil. Joe is convinced to sell his soul to the Devil to become the young and strong slugger Joe Hardy, the "long ball hitter the Senators need that he'd sell his soul for," and leaves his wife Meg ("Goodbye Old Girl"). However, Joe puts in an escape clause that gives him the chance to return back to his normal life--he has until a designated time to declare his intention to return home. Meanwhile, the hapless Senators are vowing to play their best despite their failings ("Heart"). As the young Joe is suddenly discovered, Gloria, a reporter, praises him ("Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo"). His hitting prowess enables the Senators to move up the standings.
Though Joe is increasingly successful, he truly misses his wife and begins boarding with her. Meg and the young man begin to bond, especially over her "lost" husband ("A Man Doesn't Know"). Fearful of losing his deal, Mr. Applegate calls Lola, "the best homewrecker on [his] staff", to seduce Joe and thereby ensure his soul to damnation. Lola promises to deliver ("A Little Brains, A Little Talent"), and Applegate introduces her as a sultry South American dancer named "Seρorita Lolita Banana". Lola sings a seductive song ("Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets"), but Joe's devotion to his wife proves too strong, even for her. Later they hold a festival for Joe, and Lola performs for him ("Who's Got the Pain").
Applegate decides to switch tactics to ensure Joe's failure. He releases false information about Joe Hardy's true identity being "Shifty McCoy", an escaped criminal and con artist. His plan is to blacken his reputation and make him unable to go back on their deal.
Soon the baseball players are wondering if Joe will get off or not. They then go over the rule about no women ("The Game"). After, as Meg and Joe are saying goodbye because people in her neighborhood are trying to get him, he confesses in a way to Meg that he is Joe Boyd ("Near to You"). After Joe wins in court, Applegate is anxious and angry and reminisces on how life used to be ("Those Were the Good Old Days"). Meanwhile Lola and Joe are at a party since they both belong to Applegate and sing of how their life is now ("Two Lost Souls"). At the game Applegate shows up just as Joe is going to catch the ball to win the game. Applegate transforms him back to his older self, but Joe lunges as hard as he can and catches the ball and wins the pennant for the Senators.
Back at home, Joe rushes into Meg's arms. Applegate appears on the scene, claiming that Joe owes him his soul. Joe begs Meg to hold him and not let go, and she begins to sing ("A Man Doesn't Know"). Applegate promises to make Joe young again, and even ensure a World Series victory. But his powers are useless against the pair's true love, which Lola points out. Applegate shouts that such a thing cannot exist-but he is wrong. He and Lola vanish back into Hell, defeated, with Joe and Meg united again forever.
Musical Numbers
- Based on 1994 revival
Act One
- Overture
- Six Months Out Of Every Year -- Meg Boyd, Joe Boyd, Sister, Gloria Thorpe, Husbands and Wives
- Goodbye Old Girl -- Joe Boyd and Joe Hardy
- Blooper Ballet -- The Senators
- Heart -- Van Buren, Smokey, Rocky, Sohovik
- Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo. -- Gloria Thorpe, Senators
- Shoeless Joe (Reprise) -- Gloria Thorpe, Joe Hardy and Ensemble (1994 revival only, used elements of the song in the style of retro-1950s commercials)
- A Little Brains, a Little Talent --Lola
- A Man Doesn't Know -- Joe Hardy & Meg Boyd
- Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets-- Lola
Act Two
- Who's Got the Pain? --Lola & Senators (Originally, this came at the end of Act One, as "The Game" started Act Two)
- The Game -- Rocky, Smokey & Senators
- Near to You -- Joe Hardy and Meg Boyd (1994 IBDB shows the addition of Joe Boyd)
- Those Were the Good Old Days -- Applegate
- Two Lost Souls -- Lola and Joe Hardy (1994 IBDB shows Applegate, 1955 IBDB shows Hardy)
- A Man Doesn't Know (Reprise) -- Meg Boyd and Joe Boyd
Characters
- Joe Boyd A middle-aged, overweight married man who is in love with baseball, especially the Senators [the "older" Joe Hardy]
- Joe Hardy The 22-year-old, home run hitting alter ego of Joe Boyd
- Lola The Devil's seductress assistant
- Mr. Applegate The Devil in disguise as a slick salesman
- Meg Boyd Joe's loyal, traditional wife
- Van Buren The hard working manager of the Washington Senators with great heart but no luck
- Gloria Thorpe A probing reporter
- Rocky - A baseball player for the Washington Senators
- Smokey - A pitcher for the Washington Senators
- Doris A friend of Meg
- Sister A friend of Meg
- Others: Bouley, Vernon, Henry, Linville, Sohovik, Lowe, Mickey, Del, Mr. Welch, and The Commissioner
- Baseball players and batboys; Baseball fans' wives
(The original Broadway version also had a children's chorus who sang the reprise of "Heart")
Recordings, film and television
The 1955 Original Broadway Cast recording is on RCA Victor, recorded May 8, 1955. The Lp was originally issued in mono but in 1965 RCA Victor offered an electrontic stereo version. The current CD edition was released in 1988. RCA Victor also released the film soundtrack in 1958. Although recorded in stereo, only the mono version was released. The 1989 CD edition marked the first release of the recording in stereo. The 1994 Broadway revival cast recording made by Mercury (and now on the Decca Broadway label) was released on May 17, 1994.
A film version, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen, was released in 1958. With the exception of Tab Hunter in the role of Joe Hardy (replacing Stephen Douglass), the Broadway principals reprised their stage roles. The film version is very similar to the stage version.
A made-for-TV movie version was broadcast on April 8 1967 on NBC. Phil Silvers played Mr. Applegate. Also starring were Lee Remick as Lola and Ray Middleton as Joe Boyd.
It was recently announced the a new contemporary adaptation of the musical will be brough the the silver-screen starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Joe Hardy and Jim Carrey as Applegate. No further cast information has been announced.
Awards and nominations
Original Broadway
1994 Broadway Revival
Drama Desk Award
- Outstanding Musical Revival -- nominated
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical -- Jarrod Emick WON
- Outstanding Orchestrations -- Douglas Besterman (nominated)
Theatre World Award
- Theatre World Award -- Jarrod Emick
- Theatre World Special Award -- Jerry Lewis
External links
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