Damn Yankees, Sunday Evening- 7/6

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 5:58pm

Lazy? Unnecessary? Not Enough Star Power? Boring? I've heard all these comments, and more, used to describe the negative aspects of City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of Damn Yankees. Well, I respectfully disagree. I've always been a fan of the show and this production only heightened that opinion. With a great orchestra led by Rob Berman the Adler/Ross score sounded fantastic! Yes, the direction of the transitions between song and book scenes was clunky and I can only imagine that George Abbott's direction was cleaner. The ensemble performed with gusto and pizzazz and every actor, no matter how many lines he or she might've had, did his or her part to help move the show along at a brisk and comical pace. Starting off with P.J. Benjamin, in the role of Joe Boyd, he was just sensational. He delivered the sweet and touching "Goodbye Old Girl" very well. The two other major standouts from the ensemble were Veanne Cox and Kathy Fitzgerald. They were a great comic duo that just cracked me up from the minute they walked on stage.

One of the best numbers of last night's performance was the most famous number in the show "Heart." It was thrilling, yes thrilling, seeing Michael Mulheren (Van Buren) and his boys perform this song with no shyness about just facing the audience and letting it hit you like a wave of musical comedy bliss. Another number done by the male ensemble, "The Game," was also performed excellently and their dancing was great during "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo."

Cheyenne Jackson having the oddest/hardest role in the piece, Joe Hardy, did pretty well in the role. His singing was of course excellent, but there were moments in certain scenes with Mr. Applegate that he seemed to lack that overall “leading man" presence or acting ability. His entrance in "Goodbye Old Girl" was so powerful that it carried him through the 1st Act. But, overall I did feel for the character and that's what counts.

As the Devil's assistant, Lola, Jane Krakowski gives a sweet and complex performance. She has the power to be sexy, dance up a storm and of course show off the powerful set of pipes she has. She has excellent chemistry with both Sean Hayes and Cheyenne Jackson (making their duet in "Two Lost Souls" just a joy to watch). I said her performance was complex because as Lola (in the beginning) she was so over-the-top sexy that it made me believe that Lola really didn't know how to be truly sexy. Then when the real Lola lets herself go in the dance section of "Two Lost Souls" it was like she had found her true sexiness (that was Krakowski's best moment, no doubt). Although she did dance up a storm, it was her dancing that proves to be the only negative aspect of her performance (and this was in previews, so her dancing can still grow). There are certain Fosse moves that just make the overall impact of such numbers as "A Little Brains, A Little Talent" and "Who's Got The Pain?" completely effective. Unfortunately, Krakowski does not pull them off as well as I would've liked (John Selya , on the other hand, was pretty amazing during "Who's Got The Pain?" and Krakowski did keep up with him). In the case of "Whatever Lola Wants" it felt like she was more comfortable rushing through the dance section because it was not sharp and she really didn't “mark” the moves very well. Again, she is a good dancer and this wouldn't even be that much of a problem except this is a role created for Gwen Verdon, by Bob Fosse. I hope that Jane continues to challenge herself over the years!

Sean Hayes gave a welcomed and impressive NYC stage debut last night. As Mr. Applegate, or the Devil, he really carried the book scenes he was in and made his big solo number "Those Were the Good Old Days" into the showstopper it should be. Were there signs of Jack McFarland? Yes, but I think they were just signs of Sean Hayes instead. Even Ray Walston, who originated the role of the Devil, had his own comic style and phrasing which he brought most of his comedic roles. Well, Sean Hayes does the same. And it worked!! His voice was on the raspy side (maybe from that rumored cold), but I honestly think that he possess a better and stronger voice than even Ray Walston. If there was one complaint I had, it would be his laugh during "Those Were the Good Old Days." He should find a "devilish" laugh and make it his own and then he will have rightfully owned his number (he is more than half way there). Bravo!!

If there was one person who was absolutely perfect in the show, it was Randy Graff. She created a warm and honest character and made the most, vocally and emotionally, out of every word she sang. She was truly the heart of this production!

Thanks again Encores! for giving us another great reproduction of a classic Golden Age musical!
Updated On: 7/8/08 at 05:58 PM

[Morgaine885]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 6:07pm

I absolutely agree, jewishboy!!!

I am crossing my fingers for a Broadway transfer!!!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 6:09pm

Thanks for writing. I respectfully disagree (is that possible on this board?) with your opinion and can't for the life of me figure out wht so many people are enjoying it.

But hey, that's what makes ballgames!

[nmartin]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 6:09pm

To compare Sean Hayes to Ray Walston, an accomplished actor, is ridiculous.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 6:46pm

I have to agree about Cheyenne's entrance in "Goodbye Old Girl" I thought that was a particularly well staged and well played part of the show.

I also agree about Graff being fantastic, though I have to disagree on Krakowski, but I think it's possible that I will just never like her. The only scene where I came close to enjoying her was "Two Lost Souls".

...I'm glad you liked it, I did too considering I've never been a fan of the show itself.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/7/08 at 7:05pm

nmartin, the only reason I'm comparing Sean Hayes to Ray Walston is because they both played the same role. I never meant to imply that Sean Hayes is a better or more accomplished actor than Ray Walston.

Oh, Yankeefan, although I did disagree (respectfully) with your review, I did enjoy reading it.


Updated On: 7/8/08 at 07:05 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 12:16am

Thank you so much your your detailed and well-written review, Jewishboy.
It's so great to see you enjoyed it. I can hardly wait for this upcoming weekend. I honestly thought I couldn't be more excited but your review makes me want to see it even more.
Though Krakowski was obviously my top choice for the role, I always wondered about the dancing part of the role, especially with them re-creating Fosse's choreography. I imagine she'll get better at it though, but I doubt that she'll ever be able to truly master it during such a short run.
Jewishboy, you were pretty excited about Megan Lawrence's casting but did not mention her in your review. How was she? How was the reaction to "Shoeless Joe"?

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 12:29am

Thanks Ray. Oh right, Megan Lawrence, I regret to say was underwhelming. "Shoeless..." was fine, nothing special, but the rest of her book scenes were quite good. Nothing special (she was much better as Gladys in The Pajama Game). I think she really comes into her element when she can perform a comic song, "Shoeless..." is more for a true belter.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 12:44am

jewishboy...any idea if this show might have an extended run...?Of course, duh! I know it depends on the reception by audiences, but I know, sometimes, even if a show is well attended, they don't have plans to keep it going.
I ask, because I would love to see it when I get to NY...

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 12:51am

There seemed to be a couple of scenic malfunctions last night. I remember one part of the house coming down too late, and something else noticeable...though clearly it wasn't that important since I've forgotten.

I enjoyed Krakowski, but I was so underwhelmed by her dancing. "Two Lost Souls" really showed her weaknesses, especially next to John Selya. It's just not in her body. The vocabulary isn't there. And I agree that while it may come in time, definitely not by the end of this very short run. She was basically out-danced by everyone around her, which was a bummer for me.

Props to Randy Graff, she was fantastic, as were Veanne Cox and Kathy Fitzgerald. Sean Hayes started out different and began to slowly turn into Jack McFarland. However, I wouldn't have traded in his "Those Were the Days" for anything. My favorite song of the night was actually "Near to You;" it was well-acted and sung beautifully. Simple and understated. It proved that you don't need a lot of flash and bang ("Whatever Lola Wants," anyone?) to be fantastic. I may have cheered. In fact, I was more excited by the gorgeous Encores! Orchestra during "Lola" than Krakowski! I don't know what that says about me. Oh well.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/8/08 at 1:03am

I doubt it will be extended. I don't think we'll find out anything unless the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. broadwaybaby086, yeah that set piece came in WAY to late. There were also major problems with Krakowski's mic., which didn't help her performance.

[cabaretman24]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 1:59am

I miss the revival script

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:06am

I highly disagree with your review.

I found Krakowski's singing voice to be nothing more than mediocre -- oftentimes less than; her characterization unpolished and undistinguished, and her dancing just plain messy.

Jackson's entrance into "Goodbye, Old Girl" lacked any sense of surprise or excitement, and his singing was just okay in my opinion (and I'm a huge Cheyenne Jackson fan).

PJ Benjamin was marvelous in the five minutes he gets on stage. Randy Graff was wonderful as well. I also enjoyed Veanne Cox and Kathy Fitzgerald. They were hilarious in their few moments.

This choreography is certainly not Fosse's best. It seemed like run of the mill Kathleen Marshall choreography.

The whole thing came off as a community theatre production to me, certainly ridiculous to have a $110 price tag attached to it.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:40am

Thanks for writing, Foster. I was wondering what you thought of it.

[maliatkb8]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 10:00am

Thank you for that, jewishboy. You hit the nail right on the head when you said, "Were there signs of Jack McFarland? Yes, but I think they were just signs of Sean Hayes instead."

That is true. Maybe a lot of people don't know, but Sean has always had a very similar personality to his on-screen personality Jack McFarland. Sean, like Jack, is enthusiastic and charismatic in everything he does. Sean played Jack for 8 years... it's obvious that he would become a part of him.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 10:52am

I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL SATURDAY'S MATINEE! aughh! i am chomping at the bit to see this!

[sparrman]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 1:41pm

I'm very far from an expert on Ray Walston's career... but seriously, what's the big deal about him? He was certainly best known for his work on a sitcom, just like (so far, at least) Sean Hayes.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 1:43pm

Wanna Be A Foster, Good to hear your thoughts. Did you think Jackson's singing was just OK because of the lack of overall energy, or that it just didn't sound very good? And I'll have to disagree with you about "run of the mill" choreography. Please let me know when Kathleen Marshall choreographs a funny yet rousing dance from an unlikely source that works so well (the dance of "Shoeless...") or one of the most athletic dances I've ever seen ("Who's Got The Pain?"). Not to mention the brilliant characterization for Lola during "Whatever Lola Wants" and the dance section of "Two Lost Souls."

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 2:23pm

"Maybe a lot of people don't know, but Sean has always had a very similar personality to his on-screen personality Jack McFarland. Sean, like Jack, is enthusiastic and charismatic in everything he does. Sean played Jack for 8 years... it's obvious that he would become a part of him."

See, not all of us have the luxury of being his ultimate obsessive fan to know that!

[DAME]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 2:31pm

Thank you so much for your review. However.. nothing you said makes me want to go see it. You make it sound very third tier.