Damn Yankees 1994 Revival

[EvanstonDad]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 12:37pm

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?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 1:16pm

Enjoy!

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 1:22pm

There is a great quality bootleg still in circulation of this production. Love me some Damn Yankees!

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 1:27pm

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).

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 2:46pm

Saw tje show when Jerry  Lewis stepped in. Enjoyed it very much but Charlotte D'Amboise was supposed to be Lola and she was out. (She's ALWAYS out when I'm in attendance. I've never seen her perform.) He understudy was very good.

[goodlead2]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 4:06pm

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.