DAMN YANKEES - 2027 Broadway revisal (Marquis) - Harris, Hough & Scott — Page 2

fashionguru_23 said: "Can someone who is more in tune with the show, explain what needs to be updated?"

The literal answer is nothing. It was a fine show that didn't need any work done to it. However, a recent revival made Joe a Black man and thus touched on the integration of baseball (a genuinely big event marking progress in our society that does't get as much attention now as it used to because baseball isn't the national pastime anymore). This added a new level to the material that the audiences who saw it liked, and because the theater is one of the few places that actively pursues inclusivity in these awful times, likely it will be part of all revivals moving forward. But I'm also guessing that they felt some tweaking on the book and lyrics was still necessary to make the changes work more effectively. It was a fine show as it was, it has been given more relevance now.

Updated On: 9/29/26 at 11:11 AM

joevitus said: "fashionguru_23 said: "Can someone who is more in tune with the show, explain what needs to be updated?"

The literal answer is nothing. It wasa fine show that didn't need any work done to it. However, a recent revival made Joe a Black man and thus touchedon the integration of baseball (a genuinelybig event marking progress in our society that does't get as much attention now as it used to becausebaseball isn't the national pastime anymore). This added a new level to the material that the audiences who saw it liked, and because the theater is one of the few places that actively pursues inclusivity in these awful times, likely it will be part of all revivalsmoving forward. But I'm also guessing that they felt some tweaking on the book and lyrics was still necessary to make the changes work more effectively. It was a fine show as it was, it has been given more relevance now."

Thank you, because I saw a great production 4 years ago, and all they mentioned (although it was in small print on a credits page) that there was additional lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. I didn't really notice anything that anyone should/could clutch pearls at.

DivaDiana said: "I'm sure lyrics that call a woman "built for comfort, dumb but pretty" could use an update."

I'm not sure of that at all.

I’ve always felt there was a general clunkiness to Damn Yankees. It’s a fun show but not one of the great musicals.

Jack O’Brien revised the show for his production, and then there was a “Red Sox Version” adapted by Joe DiPietro 20 years ago that played venues like Goodspeed, North Shore, and Ogunquit and is now licensed. I’m sure the City Center production had at least a trim and a polish too. So given all that, it makes total sense to me that they would revise it for this revival (though I gather that musically it sounds quite traditional despite being set in the 2000s — right?)

Perhaps eventually one could choose between 3 different versions to license (the original, the Red Sox, and the 2027), similar to CABARET.

Updated On: 9/29/26 at 01:14 PM

Thank you, because I saw a great production 4 years ago, and all they mentioned (although it was in small print on a credits page) that there was additional lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. I didn't really notice anything that anyone should/could clutch pearls at.

Trust me, in this day and age there will be someone who finds some reason to clutch their pearls.

Maybe I just loved the Arena production too much to not understand what everyone is pearl clutching and complaining about it. I love the inclusion of the negro league into the book and think it makes for an incredible update. Rob McClure is going to Paddington anyway, so there's no reason to shed tears. Some of you take musical theater a little too seriously man... And this is coming from someone who has done the original book and knows how outdated it is... because I've done the show before.

"The cast was good, but not exceptional. Lola wasn't seductive enough. Rob McClure was hampered by significant cuts to "Those Were the Good Old Days." The story revisions were fine, but the show seemed afraid of offending anyone. The Game is entirely about horny baseball players, but because that involved telling tales about near seductions, it was toned down. Good Old Days is all about wreaking evil and havoc, so we lose some of the verses (and one of the great rhymes in all musicals ---- cannibals munchin' a missionary luncheon --- is gone.)

A show that was never more than PG is now a G."

This is from someone who saw it in DC and posted on ATC. That is a clever line, I admit. I guess they cut it because it is perceived as insensitive to indigenous peoples.

I was told that the casting of Hough is both an elevating "find" and - informed by a caring friend - that she will prove a promotable aspect because she's got a huge Insta following. I supposed in today's commercial arena, the latter point is true. But as I opined, this feels more like a Weissler Roxie casting than a "get" for a show being retooled as a welcome reminting of the original. The role has always required a blend of terpsichorean skill and the mysteries of personality, dating to Verdon. A sturdy triple threat can meet the base line demands, but the character must make a strong impression as - to cite the film of the summer - a Circe-dash-Calypso of the ages. Who's also just a woman. I supposed Hough has the potential to surprise us. But she's the least intriguing element to me, a little too Wonder Bread. I'm in the minority.