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.