Spring 1992: Damn Yankees

Words and Music by: Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
Book By: George Abbott and Douglass Wallop

A Faustian musical comedy classic, the multiple Tony-winning Damn Yankees follows middle-aged Joe Boyd as he makes a pact with the Devil, becomes a 23 year old star athlete and leads his beloved Washington Senators to victory over the unbeatable Yankees. With songs like "(You Gotta Have) Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants" Damn Yankees has been hitting home runs for critics and audiences since it was named Best Musical in 1955.

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Pit

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Director's Notes

 

I grew up with the Washington Senators in the 1960's. Though it wasn't the exact team you'll see tonight, "my" Senators certainly continued the longstanding tradition of being the American League's perennial second division "cellar dwellers." Year after year the team struck out, wild pitched, errored and generally bumbled its way into oblivion, much to the suffering and torment of my young heart. I lived and died with that team and at the age of twelve, when I first sawDamn Yankees, I totally understood the suffering and heartfelt yearning of the show's hero, Joe Boyd, a die hard "Nats" fan. I, too, would have sold my soul to bring the pennant home to Washington. And if I could have met the manager, the players, Mr. Applegate and the sexy, if scandalous, Lola along the way...well, that's the stuff dreams are made of.

This show has been a great deal of fun to rehearse. Though I get the credit as director, I must admit that there was a large and talented creative team that collaborated on this production. We never would have made it to opening night without the excellent help I received from our talented choreographers Forest Rawls, Gina Constantino, Stefan Sittig, and Jack Donahue, as well as Cate Caplin for her help in polishing the dances; our vocal directors Joanna Parson and Amy Rardin; our set, lighting, and costume designers Rich Locke, Billy Szilasi, and Kim Taylor; my assistant director Elliot Berger; our accompanist, Shelle Murday; the music director, Jeff Van Ness; and our dedicated stage managers Lisa Fernandez and Emily Lyman who have at one time or another played every part in the show. The cast is wonderfully talented and spirited, and as my last creative effort at UVA, it has been my true pleasure to work with the First Year Players again. It is a great organization, and we thank you for coming to the show tonight.

And now...PLAY BALL!

-Jeremy Caplin, Director, Spring '92