My thoughts on DAMN YANKEES — Page 5

I saw the show on Saturday night. While I found the pacing to be a bit off (this is probably due to the fact is was the 3rd preview), overall the show was quite wonderful. I felt that Jane Krakowski embodied sex appeal, great comidic timing and a great voice (she didn't win a Tony Award for nothing!) While Sean Hayes did embody a little of some "Jack McFarlane" mannerisms, I thought that they were well justified. And his piano performance in Act Two rivals Harry Connick's piano solo in Pajama Game.

Speaking of Pajama Game, it has always been my opinion that both show are equal in score...THOUGH I feel that the Damn Yankees score is more integrated into the actual book of the musical (as opposed to PJ Game).

Both I and my boyfriend had an amazing time and loved the show! (Especially when Cheyenne takes off his shirt!) I'm planning on buying tickets for my parent's anniversary, which is next month. I know they're going to love it!

"I've never thought of Krakowski as a TV actress, always think of her as a theater actress who does TV. Kind of like Bebe Neuwirth and Victor Garber.
I do know what you mean, Kelly."

I guess since my first exposure to her was in Ally McBeal, that's what I'll always see her as primarily. :) Though you're probably right, she has done more theatre than she's done television, if you really look at her resume! But just seeing someone who has achieved some level of fame on a stage being so wonderful and devoted to the show not for a paycheck or because of a career slump, but out of sheer desire to be there, is really nice.

And WaltSummersPI, I don't think Hayes got the laugh on that because he was dancing better than Krakowski...it was just a funny moment, IMO.

---

Updated On: 7/7/08 at 02:23 PM

"And his piano performance in Act Two rivals Harry Connick's piano solo in Pajama Game. "

While I think that might be a bit of a stretch (but that is coming from a huge Harry Connick, Jr. fan!), I definitely agree that Sean's piano solo was excellent. (Didn't he play the piano on the finale of Will and Grace as well?)

Also, I think Megan Lawrence did a fine job for being a last-minute replacement...good for her.

When I saw South Pacific a few months ago, I was delighted to see all the older people n the audience who I felt probably had fond memories of the original production of the show...I hope for the same with Damn Yankees.

Broadway needs another nostalgic classic to remind us what theatre is all about!!

I actually found the boxer scene to be a bit gratuitous...it seemed a little, "We got Cheyenne Jackson...have him take off his clothes because it will make a lot of people happy!"

Yes, Cheyenne is a very handsome young man, but I think he's worked pretty hard to be taken seriously as an actor (look at his dramatic turn in United 93), and he can definitely steal a show without taking off any clothing!

His performance in this show is absolutely wonderful...let's focus on his gorgeous voice and lovely 1950's charm instead of his body!

In a bathing suit or a snow suit, Cheyenne Jackson is one phenomenal talent!!! :)

I ended-up at the show again tonight because I had two friends in for the holiday that wanted to catch it.

I felt the show was a lot stronger tonight than it was on Saturday, and I already loved it to begin with.

I've seen Cheyenne in almost everything he's done since I saw him on for Trevor Graydon in MILLIE five years ago, and he never ceases to impress me...he plays Joe with such a lovely naive quality, and is so wide-eyed and little boyish sometimes that I think it's absolutely impossible not to completely love him. He's just got "it". He's a star.

I really love the supporting cast...I kept finding myself watching Jimmy Ray Bennett in the ensemble...very funny and such a natural onstage. Does he cover Applegate??? (Program's not in reach.) I can see him in the role.

My friends more than enjoyed themselves, and I will definitely try to make it back before it closes...and am crossing my fingers for a Broadway transfer with this same cast!

Also, just as a side note, but I noticed the wonderful Marya Grandy is an understudy for the equally wonderful and talented Randy Graff (who was one of my favorite parts of the show, she has such a lovely voice and created such an incredible arc for her character). I can't be the only one interested in seeing her go on at some point?

---

She's doing a lot of belting... it's just not that great.

I saw it last night and thought it was amusing at best. Krakowski and Graff were the standouts. Regarding Krakowski, I was very impressed. I did not expect such a charming performance and that's exactly what she gave. She wasn't Gwen, but who is? Graff was lovely as the wife.
Sean Hayes was entirely unimpressive as Applegate and pulled out his "Jack" bag of tricks for the entire performance. Jackson was alright. I've never found him particularly wonderful, maybe because I'm a straight male, but he was decent here. Megan Lawrence was equally okay as the reporter.
The direction was typical Rando, which means, it wasn't really great. It wasn't...bad. But it wasn't exceptional or something I would call just okay. It was a little less than servicable.
The Fosse dancing is brilliantly executed, however, and thank god for that.
The produciton was lavish for Encores! even if it is a Summer Stars production. That's a compliment, by the way. The production design is very good.
The orchestra was quite good and it was wonderful to hear the great Adler and Ross score played by a full orchestra instead of a comb, keyboard and trap set.
I'm not a fan of George Abbott and I'm with Sondheim on saying he really had very little talent. The book, which is serviceable at best, is not very good. I felt the same way about Pajama Game, even with its revised book for the revival. Thank god the score is tops.
In short, it's a mediocre production of an entertaining musical from the Golden Age. It don't see it transfering. Maybe someone will write Jane Krakowski a new role so she can become a big Broadway star. The star is starting to glow here.

Wait...he had a voice to begin with?

Alert to all who were not estatic about the performance of Sean Hayes-
I have recieved an idiotic Private Message from a LindaTNo1 that bashed me to the high heavens stating that it was obvious I do not like Sean Hayes (Not ture) and that the entire board gets the idea (Also not true. Who is she to speak for all of you?) AND that basically I should like Hayes' performance because he has gotten mostly possitive reception on BWW and ATC. She also said he was the best and that him multiple awards (Including the Teen Choice Awards...hmmm?) speak for themeselves.
A note to YankeeFan and the few others who didn't love Hayes, ignore this stupidity.
Thanks.

Dolly, my favorite reviews are those which cast negative light on performers for their behavior at stagedoor. Read one of this production somewhere that talked about how Jane "didn't have the decency" to stop and sign at stagedoor and how her performance was just okay. Was it just okay because you genuinely thought so or because she didn't sign autographs? *eyeroll*

---