Happy Opening DAMN YANKEES!

[jagfkb]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 12:12am

Hopefully the critics will be kind! Can't wait to see it!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 12:24am

Can't wait to see this - Break legs (and) Funnybones!
Let's hope for a solid batch of positivity from critics!

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 1:16am

I'm also hoping for raves!

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 1:17am

I hope we get the reviews tonight!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 3:25am

A made-for-TV movie version was broadcast on April 8, 1967 on NBC. Phil Silvers played Mr. Applegate. Also starring were Lee Remick as Lola and Ray Middleton as Joe Boyd.

Anyone ever see this version?

[bythesword84]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 5:14am

For what it's worth- Here's a review from Jacques Le Sourd to hold people over until the other reviews are out:

"Sean Hayes does a diabolically funny impersonation of the devil in the new revival of "Damn Yankees" at City Center in Manhattan.

Wearing the Evil One's signature red socks and a succession of sharp suits and rakish fedoras - and bearing the sobriquet "Mr. Applegate" - the one-time "Will & Grace" star presides over this slightly creaky musical about a man who is willing to sell his soul for a baseball game. Just once, Joe Boyd (P. J. Benjamin) wants the Washington Senators to beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Hayes' singing is on the raspy side, but singing never was the devil's strong suit. Hayes is more like a living sight gag.

This show was the successful 1955 follow-up to the hit "The Pajama Game" for the creative team of Richard Adler and Jerry Ross (words and music) and George Abbott and Douglass Wallop. It was based on Wallop's novel "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant."

The Encores! revival also stars Jane Krakowski as Lola, Applegate's supposedly sexy sidekick, and Cheyenne Jackson, the hunk from Broadway's "Xanadu," as Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo. He is the improved version of Joe Boyd, who will presumably lead the Senators to their first victory against the Yankees - with hands-on help from Mr. Applegate.

The last time "Damn Yankees" was on Broadway, in 1994, Jerry Lewis (not known as a singer either) had a turn as Mr. Applegate, and Bebe Neuwirth was a very frosty Lola.

This production, directed by John Rando ("Urinetown"), is a good deal warmer than that. What it may have lost, though, is much of the sex appeal that presumably was injected by Gwen Verdon in the original production (and in the 1958 movie). Verdon was doing early dances by her husband, the choreographer Bob Fosse, most famously in the seduction ballet "Whatever Lola Wants." It's interesting to note that in 1955 Fosse hadn't yet found his signature style, which reached its apotheosis in "Chicago."

Those original Fosse dances are carefully reproduced here, but Krakowski's naturally sunny disposition removes all sultriness from them. Later, she is revealed to be a sweetheart - when Applegate made her a deal, she reportedly was "the ugliest woman in Providence, Rhode Island" - and anything but a sexpot.

Nor is there much chemistry between Lola and Shoeless Joe, though this show is likely to propel Jackson beyond his Elvis impersonation in "All Shook Up" and his campy role on skates in "Xanadu."

What Jackson concentrates on, as indeed does the whole production, is Joe's attachment to his wife, Meg, who is sweetly played by the too-seldom-seen Broadway star Randy Graff. For the duration of his deal with the devil, Joe Hardy mysteriously disappears from his house, which leaves Meg grief-stricken.

Indeed, an early song that is often thrown away, "A Man Doesn't Know," suddenly takes center stage as a moving moment - and a theme. (It is later reprised, again to great effect.)

The devil's machinations, with Lola's reluctant cooperation, almost become a sideshow this time.

Also on hand is the always reliable Michael Mulheren as the coach, Benny Van Buren, and Veanne Cox as a particularly snippy member of the chorus of 1950s housewives (described as "baseball widows") who come to adore Shoeless Joe.

Megan Lawrence is a peppery presence, too, as the journalist Gloria Thorpe, who keeps digging to solve the mystery of Shoeless Joe's true identity.

This production is part of City Center's Summer Stars series, which last year gave us Patti LuPone's "Gypsy." It certainly isn't on a par with that, and no one should consider taking it to Broadway.

But the show is amusing if somewhat dated summer entertainment for those who still respond to classic Broadway musicals."
Hayes and Krakowski try to make 'Damn Yankees' a hit

[Maurice]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:57am

Happy opening! I went to the first preview and really enjoyed it. Break a leg everyone!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:35am

Can't wait to see the show!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:42am

I hope Sean and Cheyenne have happy openings.

[broadwayfan7]

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

Happy Opening!

[WOSQ]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 10:05am

"A warm hand on your opening and may your parts grow bigger and better."

Which in the days of telegrams, was the bluest one you could get through Western Union.

Innuendo and out the other.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 7/10/08 at 3:52pm

I'll be ushering at Opening Night at City Center this evening.

If you see me, or if I seat you, feel free to give me a "hello"... or pat my ass (you know, to get in the baseball locker-room mood).
Updated On: 7/10/08 at 03:52 PM