By Sara Castillo
In its 25th Season, Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre takes on the charming musical Damn Yankees. The show originally premiered on Broadway in 1955, went on to be a film, and even had a revival on Broadway in 1994. The book was written by George Abbott and Douglas Wallop, based off his book, The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant, with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. It has several classic songs that will have you humming as you leave the theater. Sadly, Adler and Ross has limited success with the passing of Ross at the age of 29, only months after Damn Yankees‘ premier. This gem from the golden age of Broadway musicals still delights and enchants in modern times as it asks the question: For what are you willing to sell your soul?
For Joe Boyd (Dan Marburger), there is nothing more important than his beloved Washington Senators baseball team. Even Joe’s wife, Meg Boyd (Heather Riddle) laments being ignored for six months out of the year. However, the Washington Senators aren’t having a great season, and often are on the losing end to, you guessed it, those Damn Yankees. Boyd wishes to help his team out and wouldn’t you know, The Devil, going by Mr. Applegate (K. Russell Adams), happens to be willing to make a deal. Joe takes the deal and is transformed into earnest Joe Hardy (Joshua Hengst), the newest and best baseball player in history. Joe Hardy easily makes it onto the Senators’ team with his extreme talent. However, success brings out interesting characters, like Lola (Christina Robinson), and leads Joe to question if he made the right choice striking a deal with the devil.
Costume Designer Richard “Mickey” Courtney does a nice job in recreating the well-known look of Lola as she seduces Joe in the locker room, as well as making sure the rest of the cast looks neat and put together. There are several scene changes in this show and the scenic design by Ashlock was created by the use of simple staging and digital backgrounds. Multiple scenes create a challenge for lighting designer Renee Ashlock and sound designer Eric Gibson as they creatie new moods and keep the actors as the focus.
Damn Yankees has a lot of heart, as they sing in the song “Heart”, the cast loves to perform and it shows. This production was clearly a labor of love for all of the production cast and crew.
Scottsdale Desert Stage Theatre is located inside Scottsdale Fashion Square in the Food Court area. This beautiful theatre is in a sublime location to make a night out for dinner and a show. So make a night out for this family friendly, high energy musical, Damn Yankees, which runs from February 28 until March 15.
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre presents Damn Yankees, by George Abbott and Douglas Wallop, music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.
Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, (inside Scottsdale Fashion Square)
7014 E. Camelback Rd. Ste 0586, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Feb 28-March 15, 2020 Friday-Saturday 7:30 PM, Sunday 2:00 PM Recommended for All Ages
Tickets: $28 Adult, $22 Senior & Student
Scottsdale Desert Stages Page
Damn Yankees Facebook Event Page
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