TLC Musical, New Adaptations of DAMN YANKEES and PAL JOEY Will Play Arena Stage- Page 4

[halfhourcheckwithmerman]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 5:40pm

I for one am cautiously optimistic about this. I think there is a small chance this turns out to be really great --- fun, sexy, and smart. It's a nicely tested creative team; this isn't Billy Porter's THE LIFE. 

I think there's also a reasonable chance it's a complete disaster. But what's the fun in that? 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 5:40pm

Very much looking forward to this updated/revised production - absolutely not looking forward to all of the ignorant and less-than-intelligent discourse that this board is known for (see threads on Gypsy, Maybe Happy Ending, etc). *sigh* 

Don't like the proposed concept? Incapable of going into things with curiosity or an open mind? Simply don’t attend and focus on other productions, instead of spamming the board with ignorant nonsense. 

Pearl clutching over Damn f*cking Yankees as if it’s some Broadway cultural touchstone. You people are so transparent. 

[ChiDoc]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 5:51pm

I guess I just don't understand the reasoning behind writing a brand new book for this concept.  Keeping the 1950s setting and a black Joe gives the exact same message (Joe wouldn't have had the opportunity to play in the Majors) while also preserving the authors' original work.

I'm not wholesale against revisals and different interpretations of older works, but this one feels unnecessary because Damn Yankees can already support the ideas they want to express!

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 5:52pm

I saw the 1990s revival, which had various revisions made to it. I have no problem with "revisals" - sometimes they really do work (i.e. the Mendes Cabaret, which somehow was actually better than the original), but this sounds like they are throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

If this Damn Yankees makes it to Broadway (which is unlikely), it should play in repertory with Chez Joey and be called "The White Guilt Rep."

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 5:57pm

P.S. - GiantsInThe Sky2, nostalgia aside, I have no strong feelings about Damn Yankees. I am just saddened by the state of the theatre world in general. Productions like this just feel so desperate.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 6:03pm

ChiDoc said: "I guess I just don't understand the reasoning behind writing a brand new book for this concept. Keeping the 1950s setting and a black Joe gives the exact same message (Joe wouldn't have had the opportunity to play in the Majors) while also preserving the authors' original work.

I'm not wholesale against revisals and different interpretations of older works, but this one feels unnecessary because Damn Yankees can already support the ideas they want to express!"

 

100% agree.

I also heard this production is going to be set in New Orleans!  lol

 

[somecheapfrenchthing]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 6:12pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Very much looking forward to this updated/revised production - absolutely not looking forward to all of the ignorant and less-than-intelligent discourse that this board is known for (see threads on Gypsy, Maybe Happy Ending, etc). *sigh*

Don't like the proposed concept? Incapable of going into things with curiosity or an open mind? Simply don’t attend and focus on other productions, instead of spamming the board with ignorant nonsense.

Pearl clutching over Damn f*cking Yankees as if it’s some Broadway cultural touchstone. You people are so transparent."

I'm looking forward to it as well and hope to enjoy it. I'm certainly not rooting for it to fail. My concern isn't with the idea of a reimagining, it’s with the framing of a traditional revival as somehow impossible. I believe there's room and a reason for a revisal of Damn Yankees, but I also believe a revival approached with sensitivity and thoughtful direction could definitely resonate today without causing harm. GiantsInTheSky2, I often agree with what you post, but I think suggesting that people with reservations or lower expectations should focus elsewhere risks creating an echo chamber rather than intelligent discourse. And as for “pearl-clutching” over Damn Yankees… I don’t know what to tell you other than some people do see it as a significant touchstone in the musical theatre canon.

I'm eager to see what this new version brings. I'm going in excited, skeptical, curious, hopeful and a mix of many things. Being open-minded doesn't mean setting aside all other feelings, it just means a willingness to see what happens. 

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 6:23pm

Yeah, nah, I’m good. This DAMN YANKEES will be right up there with the 2011 Broadway “revisal” of ON A CLEAR DAY. 

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 11:39pm

Nicole Scherzinger as LOLA for Broadway that's if it makes it? This will need some star casting as the Arena Stage casting is fine for there.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 9/9/25 at 10:37pm

I was at tonight's first preview of Damn Yankees. It is a terrific production, and in especially great shape for a first preview. There are things that can be tightened and focused but that's what previews and try-outs are for. DC is in for a treat with this one. I can type out more thoughts later, but I was very impressed tonight.

[theatrejunkie007]

Posted: 9/10/25 at 3:06pm

TheGingerBreadMan said: "I was at tonight's first preview of Damn Yankees. It is a terrific production, and in especially great shape for a first preview. There are things that can be tightened and focused but that's what previews and try-outs are for. DC is in for a treat with this one. I can type out more thoughts later, but I was very impressed tonight."

Great to hear! Looking forward to more feedback. Going to be attending soon.

[lastmidnights]

Posted: 9/10/25 at 9:17pm

Robbie2 said: "Nicole Scherzinger as LOLA for Broadway that's if it makes it?This will need some star casting as the Arena Stage casting is fine for there."

While I'm not going to say no to Nicole in anything on stage... Trujillo intentionally wanted a Latina to play the role of Lola. I must admit that I'm not the most familiar with this material, but from what I've heard, it seemed like there was something there that warranted this. Maybe they'd change their mind for a big name, but they were being very intentional about casting. They also specifically wanted a Black Joe/Meg Boyd. I also know they want to keep the cast for Broadway. I really wonder how this is going to fare...

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/10/25 at 9:53pm

Gingerbread, how’s this new adaptation and how severely do they change it? I’m not a purist for this show, but on paper feels like it might require quite a lot of surgery to make the new concept work. 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 9/10/25 at 11:01pm

There is quite a bit that has been changed, but it is still the same show and same story at its heart. Some songs have been re-ordered and book scenes have been replaced, but I truly didn't feel that anything detracted from the show as originally written. If anything, I think that the book is stronger than the original. It provides a really nice framework for the new setting of the show. The new racial elements of the plotline serve the story well and bring a sense of urgency to Joe's character that wasn't there before. The story is completely in tact and has a few additions that really strengthen it, especially a notable one in the second act.

The choreography is absolutely stunning and is a highlight of the show. Trujillo knows what he's doing in this department, and has employed some extremely capable dancers.

The in-the-round staging is used to the show's benefit, and there really is not a bad seat in the house. The set is a bit sparser than I would have liked, but the incredible lighting design and Trujillo's smart use of space makes up for it.

Jordan Donica is giving an absolutely beautiful performance - we all know how his voice makes us swoon, but aside from his gorgeous singing, he gives such an honest and heartfelt portrayal of Joe and has the audience on his side from the first moment he appears. Rob McClure is a lot of fun as Applegate - he lands the devilish humor well, and plays the conniving trickster with a perfect evil flare. Ana Villafane is in fine form as Lola - I think that her numbers are sadly the weak point in the show's direction. Those scenes did not always quite exude the temptation and allure required, but I did not get the impression that this is Villafane's fault. I truly think it to be a directorial error. She is in wonderful voice, dances the part beautifully, and like McClure, finds the humor in the part very well. Trujillo's direction overall worked very very well for me, but I wish that the Lola scenes could be worked a bit more or have a second set of eyes laid upon them for some tweaking.

If someone is a Damn Yankees purist, there is a lot to love here. The bones are there. They have not ruined the show or made it into something unrecognizable. It felt like good old-fashioned Broadway, but with a breath of fresh air blown into it. It never felt like they were trying too hard or shoehorning anything in, it was simply a good story being told by very capable hands. If someone is not a purist or was previously unfamiliar with the show, what a spectacular way to be introduced.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 9/10/25 at 11:08pm

Thank you for such a thorough and well-crafted response.

[theatrejunkie007]

Posted: 9/11/25 at 9:11am

this was very helpful thanks!

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 9/12/25 at 12:30am

bwaybaby6 - I have received your private messages, but when I go to respond, it says “this user does not accept private messages”.

To answer your seating question, I personally don’t think that you can really pick a bad seat in this house. I have seen several shows in the Fichandler from all different seats, and never had a bad view. For this particular production, I’d probably go for either the north or south section, but the staging is very accommodating to all four sides of the theatre. I sat in Row E of the North Section and loved my seat.

[A Stranger Here Myself]

Posted: 9/12/25 at 2:28pm

TheGingerBreadMan, thank you for such a thoughtful review and take on the show. It sounds wonderful.
 

What concerns me, though, is the fact that this is the cast they are planning on bringing to Broadway. Part of what I loved about the City Center production was seeing Jane Krakowski in peak form (when is she not in peak form?) commanding the stage as Lola. Gwen Verdon and Bebe Neuwirth had both won Tonys when they played the role. It would have been cool to see someone of that caliber in the role. But mainly, I worry that casting this without a star in the Applegate or Lola roles will make it commercially challenged.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/12/25 at 2:38pm

Bebe Neuwirth not only did NOT win a Tony Award for the 1994 Broadway revival of DAMN YANKEES, she wasn’t even nominated. Bebe’s only 2 Tony Award wins were for 1986’s SWEET CHARITY and 1996’s CHICAGO. 

[George in DC]

Posted: 9/12/25 at 10:49pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Bebe Neuwirth not only did NOT win a Tony Award for the 1994 Broadway revival of DAMN YANKEES, she wasn’t even nominated. Bebe’s only 2 Tony Award wins were for 1986’s SWEET CHARITY and 1996’s CHICAGO."

 

The poster only said that Bebe Neuwirth was a Tony Award winner when she did the show, not she won a Tony award for the show.

 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/12/25 at 11:04pm

Reportedly, Bebe Neuwirth was also almost fired and replaced by Karen Ziemba. The story I heard (probably on this board) was that she got wind of it, came down to the theater where they were rehearsing Ziemba onstage, and threw a fit. Not sure how that got settled, but Neuwirth was generally not well received in the role for whatever reason.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/12/25 at 11:20pm

A Stranger Here Myself said: "What concerns me, though, is the fact that this is the cast they are planning on bringing to Broadway."

Yes, sight unseen, this would last about as long as BOOP with this cast on Broadway.

Unless the commercial producers are planning to farm it out to someplace like Roundabout, they should stay away from Broadway unless they can get a colossal star as Applegate and/or Lola. And anyone big enough to sell in these roles is probably getting lots of other offers.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/13/25 at 9:46am

Would Damn Yankees need to play at Circle in the Square? Assuming Just In Time closes in January.

[theatrejunkie007]

Posted: 9/14/25 at 8:14am

ACL2006 said: "Would Damn Yankees need to play at Circle in the Square? Assuming Just In Time closes in January."

Circle in the Square would be a good setup for the current Damn Yankees format. However we definitely cannot assume that Just In Time will close in January. They’re not going to close a big hit show with this kind of momentum. It’s just not prudent. It may seem impossible to think about replacing Groff, but rest assured, I’d bet they’ve been thinking about this issue/scenario since before the show opened. 

August Wilson seems to be the appropriate spot for Damn Yankees since it’s opened as of now. 

Updated On: 9/14/25 at 08:14 AM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 9/18/25 at 1:46pm

Sad to see that Giuseppe Bausilio sustained an injury that will keep him out of the rest of the DC run. He was one of the reasons I was going to see it, it's such a great ensemble.