Damn Yankees 1994 Revival

Enjoy!

EvanstonDad said: "Just came across the cast recording for the 1994 revival of Damn Yankees. What a great, fun recording! I only know the property from the movie starring Gwen Verdon. I remember Jarrod Emick winning a Tony for this. Did anyone see it, and if so what were your thoughts? Was it as fun on stage as it is to listen to?"

I saw it twice, once with the original cast and once in Charlotte, NC, with Jerry Lewis. I thought that it was enjoyable, but never exciting. I think I expected too much because I loved the only two productions of The Pajama Game that I had seen (A lot of the same creatives) up to then. I did not think it was as good a show as Pajama Game, which I thought had a much better score and dance numbers, e.g., Steam Heat, Hernando’s Hideaway, Once a Year Day.

in Yankees, there were some good numbers, but not as many. I remember Bebe Neuwirth getting mediocre reviews, but I thought she was great. I thought that Jerry Lewis was better than Victor Garber, who was fine. You Gotta Have Heart stopped the show, an enjoyable piece of nostalgia; it was an enjoyable number, maximizing the choral harmonies.

I am interested that you loved the recording, because I thought while attending the performance— I never purchased a cast recording — that there were a lot of only okay songs, whereas Pajama had not a one IMO.

I would be very surprised to see this get a full-scale revival again…but I may get the cast recording based on your comments, and reconsider my assessment of the overall score (there were several classic songs; Heart, Whatever Lola Wants, Those Were the Good Old Days)…I just thought there were too many okay songs).

I saw this in San Diego prior to Broadway. I believe Bebe Neuwirth played Lola. I thought this was poor casting because she is has a cold aspect,whereas Gwen Verdon was warm and therefore more sympathetic. The actress who played Meg was excellent and got a Tony nomination.