TLC Musical, New Adaptations of DAMN YANKEES and PAL JOEY Will Play Arena Stage — Page 5

theatrejunkie007 said: "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."

 

According to articles, the earliest Damn Yankees could get to Broadway is Fall 2026. Jordan Donica is filming "The Gilded Age" this spring.

 

I saw this last night, and although I enjoyed it, I don't think a transfer would fare well. There was no need to tinker with the book or the order of songs. The one change I didn't mind was changing the Washington Senators to the Baltimore Orioles. 

What I liked. Jordan Donica. What a voice and perfectly cast as Joe Hardy. The choreography was fun. He had great chemistry with Brionha Marie (Meg). The baseball players were excellent. I enjoyed the pre-opening of Act 2. Rob McClure was good as Applegate. Ana Villafane is very talented, but I feel she was misdirected and suffers from some of the changes to the book. Quentin Earl Darrington's (older Joe) role is diminished as his part was cut in Near to You. There was only a modified court scene.

My major complaint is that the sound was off. I've been seeing shows at Arena Stage for 25 years and it's the first time that the sound was an issue for me. 

The audience was very enthusiastic and I'll definitely see it again. I'd love to see this cast preform the show as originally written.

Just back from the matinee.  Performance started about 25 min late due to an issue with the sound so they definitely have some sort of bug in their system, which I agree with Dottie is rare for Arena.  I was sitting near the sound board and there were two techs there through all of act I looking anxious as they ran the show.  A couple of spots where the mic volumes were a little uneven but they largely pulled it off.  

As far as where to sit, I agree with Gingerbread Man that you really can't go wrong wherever you sit as it is well-directed in the round, but if I were to go again, I'd probably pick North or South (I was in the West).

This was my first production of Damn Yankees so I can't comment on the changes from the original, but I thought the choreo was excellent and there were strong performances from all involved.  For me, it was an enjoyable afternoon, but not something I'll be telling people they just have to go see.  I do think it would fit well in Circle in the Square and I hope that if they do take it to Broadway that it succeeds- there's a lot of good work there.  

.

Updated On: 9/20/25 at 10:59 PM

lastmidnights said: "This is pure speculation, because I haven't heard anything about them stunt casting. But if they needed to, do we think Applegate and Lola are the way to go? Maybe a Latin pop star for Lola, like Karol G, Rosalia, Becky G."

The producers 100% intend the transfer the show with this cast in tact.

I saw it this weekend and it was…fine. I don’t think the rewrite works, as it removes the political allegory from the book. Alysha Umphress was the weak link for me.  Lola begs to be played by a character actress and I don’t think Ana Villafañe brought much of anything to the role. 

WASHINGTON POST - A revitalized 'Damn Yankees' knocks it out of the park: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2025/09/22/damn-yankees-arena-stage-review/

lastmidnights said: "TheGingerBreadMan said: "The producers 100% intend the transfer the show with this cast in tact."

I'm well aware. I shared that in a previous post on this thread. But some of us think Villafañe is miscast, and they should at least consider some other options :)"

Yes please!! Someone more like a Lesli Margherita, Leslie Kritzer, or ideally (I know it won’t happen but) Robyn Hurder or… ANYONE. Please. Even a newcomer who can deliver a great breakout performance. 

 

Updated On: 9/22/25 at 04:26 PM

lastmidnights said: "TheGingerBreadMan said: "The producers 100% intend the transfer the show with this cast in tact."

I'm well aware. I shared that in a previous post on this thread. But some of us think Villafañe is miscast, and they should at least consider some other options :)"

 

DY needs a star personality for Lola. Ana V is just not the right Lola for this when it lands on Broadway. Why do you say the producers intend to transfer the show with this cast in tact? It needs a STAR attraction.

Saw this over the weekend and had a great time. The ensemble numbers were particularly exciting -- incredible choreo, strong & loud vocals, lots of specific characterization. I found nearly the whole primary cast to be excellent. Bryonha Marie was especially moving, with a beautiful voice and extremely natural performance. Jordan Donica and Rob McClure were reliable as always.

Unfortunately, I echo what some others have said regarding Ana Villafañe. She was actually a better singer than I expected, but an actress she is not. Tbh, her performance was giving high school theatre. I don't think I laughed at any of her jokes, and her dramatic work is unbelievable... meaning I didn't believe her for one second. Sadly, this really detracts from the overall effect of the show considering how many numbers Lola performs. Incidentally, I also thought Lola's costumes were tacky and unappealing (though they were specifically praised in at least one review!).

I didn't think that the re-contextualization of the show as a 2000s team and a specifically Black baseball player necessarily added a lot to the show, but it did not detract or distract either. The rewrites are fairly seamless with the exception of a few lines that felt shoehorned in.

In general, I'd say this is an exciting, high quality production with one glaring problem in the form of a stilted & soulless performance from AV.

Donica is great.  McClure and Villafane could easily be recast with stars and it make little difference.  Umphress must be recast - it's not intriguing or exciting on her.  

The choreography is nice enough .  The directing is average at best.   This could use a new director with Trujillo's choreo.  A director with more vision despite it’s okay revisal. He isn't the best form as director.  It all feels cheesy instead of solid. WOMEN...CURVES felt similar.  Nice enough choreography - and some decent performances but it all felt like slight music theater rather than solid.  A lot of choreography and musical transitions without depth or strong character work. 

This could use a new director, a star or two as well as some recasting and be nice with Trujillo's choreography.  In its current form it's fine regional theater - but it's not great or Broadway worthy.

Updated On: 9/24/25 at 02:31 PM

BorisTomashevsky said: "Hmm. Krysta Rodriguez could be a great Lola."

FYI, Lola isn’t a Latina in DAMN YANKEES. She puts on that Latin spitfire persona when she tries to seduce Joe during “Whatever Lola Wants.” Any actress can play the role. Her heritage is never addressed and has never been played with Hispanic implications, like Rose in BYE BYE BIRDIE. 

Agree this show needs a big, star name in order to succeed financially - even as good as the reviews are it’s still needed in this economy and cost structure. I’m hopefuL they can find either a Lola or an Applegate with big pull !! Especially with a revival.