DAMN YANKEES

Music & Lyrics by Richard Adler & Jerry Ross: book by George Abbot & Douglass Wallop. Based on the novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop

46th Street Theatre - 5 May 1955 (1019 perfs)
London Coliseum - 28 March, 1957

A twist on the Faustian legend sees the fanatical baseball fan, Joe Boyd, agreeing to sell his soul to the devil to save his favourite team, the Senators. When the time comes for Joe to pay the price of his success he manages to outwit the devil in this sure-fire musical. Hit songs include "Whatever Lola Wants" and "Heart".

Story

Baseball fan, Joe Boyd, would sell his soul to the devil for the chance to play baseball with the Washington Senators. Enter Mr Applegate, the earthly appearance of the Devil himself. He makes a deal, Joe can become young Joe Hardy and help his favourite team win the championship in exchange for his soul. With no hesitation, Joe accepts and leaves home only to emerge as the highly talented and equally successful young Joe Hardy from Hannibal, Mo. He takes lodging in his own house even though his wife, Meg, doesn't recognise him.

In a moment of weakness, however, Mr Applegate has allowed Joe to negotiate an escape clause in the contract between them. This clause says that Joe can revert to his own self, and save his soul, up to 9 p.m. on September 24, the day before the end of the baseball season. Despite every obstacle put in his way by Applegate, including the attentions of acolyte temptress, Lola, Joe helps his team to win the championship. At the final gasp Joe is able to invoke his escape clause and he reverts back to his former elder self and returns to his wife a wiser and happier man.

Mr Applegate, defeated, returns to Hell.

Cast: 18 men, 6 women, chorus.

Principal Characters:

Lola - a temptress
Joe Hardy - a baseball player
Mr Applegate - a devil
Van Buren - a manager
Meg Boyd - Joe's wife
Rocky - a baseball player
Gloria - a reporter
Joe Boyd - a baseball fan

Musical Numbers:

1. The Game
2. Goodbye, Old Girl
3. A Little Brains - A Little Talent
4. A Man Doesn't Know
5. Near To You
6. Shoeless Joe From Hannibal, Mo
7. Six Months Out Of Every Year
8. Those Were the Good Old Days
9. Two Lost Souls
10. Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets)
11. Who's Got the Pain?
12. You've Gotta Have Heart
    

Instrumentation:

Reed I (Piccolo/flute/clarinet/alto sax), Reed II (piccolo/flute/clarinet/alto sax), Reed III (oboe/cor anglais/clarinet/tenor sax), Reed IV (clarinet/bas clarinet/tenor sax/bassoon), Reed V (Clarinet/bas clarinet [opt]/baritone sax/bassoon), horn, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, percussion, piano, guitar (acoustic/banjo), 6 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, double bass.