Faust meets professional baseball in this Broadway classic from the
creators of “The Pajama Game.”
Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil (the
charming but devious Mr. Applegate) for a chance to lead his favorite team
to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. As young
baseball sensation Joe Hardy, he transforms the hapless Washington
Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life
(and wife) he's left behind. With the help of a handy escape clause and a
guilt-ridden temptress named Lola, Joe outsmarts Applegate, returns to his
former self and shepherds the Senators to the World Series.
Light, fast-paced and devilishly clever, “Damn Yankees” is a home-run
hit whose all-American subject matter and irreverent sense of humor have
brought many a sports fan into the theatre. In addition to its many strong
male roles, the show features a scene-stealing role in Lola (originally
played by a relatively unknown Gwen Verdon), plenty of opportunities for
dance (which may be replaced by simple movement), and a catchy score
filled with rousing production numbers and popular favorites like
"Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants."
Opened 5/5/1955 Ran for 1019 performances.
"A truly tremendous musical"
-John McClain, Journal-American
"Here's a pennant winner if we ever saw one."
Robert Coleman, Daily Mirror