Above; 1955 Original Cast Recording
Damn Yankees
Music Richard Adler
Lyrics Jerry Ross
Book George Abbott
Douglass Wallop
Basis The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop
Damn Yankees is a musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., during a time when the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball. It is based on Wallop’s novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant.
The show ran for 1,019 performances in its original 1955 Broadway production. Adler and Ross’s success with it and The Pajama Game seemed to point to a bright future for them, but Ross suddenly died of chronic bronchiectasis at age 29 several months after it opened.
Note: This is the plot of the 1994 Broadway revival of the show; there are differences from the 1955 version. For the film version, see Damn Yankees (film).
Middle-aged real estate agent Joe Boyd is a long-suffering fan of the pathetic Washington Senators baseball team. His wife, Meg, laments this (“Six Months Out Of Every Year”). After she has gone to bed, he sits up late, grumbling that if the Senators just had a “long ball hitter” they could beat “those damn Yankees”. Suddenly, the smooth-talking Mr. Applegate appears. He offers Joe the chance to become “Joe Hardy”, the young slugger the Senators need. He accepts, even though he must leave Meg (“Goodbye Old Girl”). However, his business sense makes him insist on an escape clause. The Senators’ last game is on September 25, and if he plays in it, he is to stay as Joe Hardy forever. If not, he has until 9:00 the night before to walk away from the deal and return to his normal life.
At the ballpark, the hapless Senators vow to play their best despite their failings (“Heart”). Then Joe Hardy is suddenly discovered and joins the team. Gloria, a reporter, praises him (“Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo”). His hitting prowess enables the team to move up the standings.
Though Joe is increasingly successful, he truly misses Meg and moves into her house as a boarder in his persona as Joe Hardy. They begin to bond, especially over her “lost” husband (“A Man Doesn’t Know”). Fearful of losing his deal, Applegate calls Lola, “the best homewrecker on [his] staff”, to seduce Joe and ensure his loss of the bet. She promises to deliver (“A Little Brains, A Little Talent”), and Applegate introduces her as a sultry South American dancer named “Señorita Lolita Banana.” She sings a seductive song (“Whatever Lola Wants”), but Joe’s devotion to Meg proves too strong, even for her. Applegate punishes her by firing her, where she performs with other past workers for Applegate (“Who’s Got the Pain”).
Applegate decides to switch tactics to ensure Joe’s failure. He releases false information about Joe’s true identity being “Shifty McCoy”, an escaped criminal and con artist. When Gloria discovers this information, she presses charges, and he is forced into court.
The Senators prepare for the final game against the Yankees for the pennant and worry about Joe, but they vow to think of nothing but winning (“The Game”). Meanwhile, angry fans are seeking him out, so he decides to leave home. As he does so, he tells Meg indirectly that he is her old husband (“Near to You”). Meanwhile, Applegate is exhausted by the work he has put into winning one bet and thinks about the “simpler” times in his long history (“Those Were the Good Old Days”).
Joe’s day in court is on September 24, the last day of his deal. As he technically does not exist, he can’t produce any kind of identification. The owner of the Senators, their coach, and even Lola (disguised as “Señora McCoy”) testify; unfortunately, their opinions are invalid. Gloria suggests that Applegate take the stand, but he is unable to take the oath due to its provision against lying. “Don’t you have another version of that thing?” he asks. Joe realizes that Applegate is simply stalling to keep him from meeting his 9:00 deadline. Applegate claims that Joe “just needs time to think” and sends him to where Lola is, where history’s most famous lovers wait. Lola meets him there and realizes that he truly loves Meg. She helps him by sending him into the final game and delays Applegate by coercing him into a duet (“Two Lost Souls”).
When Applegate finally arrives at the game, it is 8:55, and Joe is at bat. As time runs out, Meg, her friends, and even Lola begin cheering for him. Applegate uses his powers to give Joe two strikes. The clock strikes nine, and Applegate claims victory, but at the last second, Joe cries, “Let me go!” The deal is broken, and he is transformed back into his old self. Amazingly, he is still able to hit a home run and win the Senators the pennant.
Back at home, Joe rushes into Meg’s arms. Applegate appears on the scene, claiming that Joe owes him his prize. He begs Meg to hold him and not let go, and she begins to sing (“Finale (A Man Doesn’t Know)”). Applegate promises to make him young again and even ensure a World Series victory. But his powers are useless against their true love, which Lola points out. He shouts that such a thing can’t exist, but he is wrong. He and Lola vanish back whence they came, defeated, with Joe and Meg united.
Production
The producers Frederick Brisson, Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince had decided that the lead actress for the part of “Lola” had to be a dancer. They offered the role to both the movie actress Mitzi Gaynor and ballet dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, each of whom turned down the role. Although Gwen Verdon had sung just one song in her previous show (Can-Can), the producers were willing to take a chance on her. She initially refused, preferring to assist another choreographer, but finally agreed. Choreographer Bob Fosse insisted on meeting her before working with her, and after meeting and working for a brief time, they each agreed to the arrangement. This was the start of an artistic and personal partnership between Fosse and Vernon, who married in 1960.
The show opened on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre on May 5, 1955, transferred to the Adelphi Theatre on May 17, 1957, and ran for a total of 1,019 performances. It was directed by George Abbott, with scenery and costumes by William and Jean Eckart, dances and musical numbers staged by Bob Fosse, musical direction by Hal Hastings, orchestrations by Don Walker, and dance music arrangements by Roger Adams.
The show starred Ray Walston (Applegate), Gwen Verdon (Lola), Shannon Bolin (Meg), Robert Shafer (Joe Boyd), Elizabeth Howell (Doris), Stephen Douglass (Joe Hardy), Al Lanti (Henry), Eddie Phillips (Sohovik), Nathaniel Frey (Smokey), Albert Linville (Vernon, Postmaster), Russ Brown (Van Buren), Jimmy Komack (Rocky), Rae Allen (Gloria), Cherry Davis (Teenager), Del Horstmann (Lynch, Commissioner), Richard Bishop (Welch), Janie Janvier (Miss Weston), and Jean Stapleton (Sister).
A West End production played at the London Coliseum beginning on March 28, 1957, where it played for 258 performances.[4] It starred Olympic skater Belita (aka Gladys Lyne Jepson-Turner) as Lola, but the Fosse choreography was alien to her style, and she was replaced by Elizabeth Seal. It also starred Bill Kerr as Applegate, and Ivor Emmanuel as Joe Hardy.
In the mid-1970s, Vincent Price starred as Applegate in summer stock productions of the show. In the late 1970s and early 1980s film actor Van Johnson did so in productions throughout the U.S.A. In July, 1981, a production was performed at the Jones Beach Marine Theater in Wantagh, New York. It was notable due to former New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath being cast in the role of Joe Boyd.
A Broadway revival opened at the Marquis Theatre on March 3, 1994 and ran for 718 performances and 18 previews. Featured were Jarrod Emick as Joe Hardy, winner of the 1994 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Bebe Neuwirth as Lola and Victor Garber as Applegate. Garber was succeeded by Jerry Lewis, making his Broadway debut, on March 12, 1995, who then starred in a national tour and also played the role in a London production. Jack O’Brien directed, with choreography by Rob Marshall, assisted by his sister, Kathleen. O’Brien is also credited with revisions to the book.
The 1994 revival production opened in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre on June 4, 1997 (previews started May 29) and closed on August 9, 1997. Jerry Lewis reprised his role as Applegate and April Nixon played Lola.
A revival was produced by the City Center Encores! Summer Stars series from July 5 to July 27, 2008. It starred Jane Krakowski as Lola, Sean Hayes as Applegate, Randy Graff as Meg, Megan Lawrence as Gloria Thorpe (replacing an injured Ana Gasteyer during rehearsal), PJ Benjamin as Joe Boyd, and Cheyenne Jackson as Joe Hardy. John Rando directed and the original Fosse choreography was reproduced by Mary MacLeod. Given the substantial changes in the 1994 revival, this is considered by some the first authentic revival of the original production.
Musical numbers
Based on hand engraved materials originally available from Music Theatre International derived from the 1955 production
Act One
Overture—Orchestra
Curtain Act 1—Orchestra
Six Months—Meg Boyd, Joe Boyd, Men, and Girls
Devil Music—Orchestra
Goodbye Old Girl—Joe Boyd and Joe Hardy
Heart—Van Buren, Smoky, Rocky, Vernon
Heart Encore—Van Buren, Smoky, Rocky, Vernon
Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo. — Gloria Thorpe, Boys, Senators
Shoeless Joe Dance—Orchestra
A Man Doesn’t Know—Joe Hardy
Lola—Orchestra
A Little Talent—Lola
Goodbye (Reprise)—Orchestra
A Man Doesn’t Know (Reprise)—Joe Hardy, Meg
Whatever Lola Wants (with Dance Break)—Lola
Not Meg—Orchestra
Heart (Reprise)—Men
Chairs Fanfare—Orchestra
Who’s Got The Pain? (with Double Dance Breaks)—Lola & Men (Street Band)
Act 1 Finale (New Shoeless Joe Finale)—Orchestra
Act Two
Entr’Acte—Orchestra
Opening Act 2—Orchestra
The Game—Senators
Near to You—Joe Hardy and Meg Boyd
Good Old Days—Applegate
Days Encore—Applegate
Courtroom Blackout—Orchestra
Two Lost Souls (with Dance)—Lola and Joe Hardy
Devil Music—Orchestra
Shoeless Joe (Reprise)—Orchestra
Back Home—Orchestra
Finale (A Man Doesn’t Know)—Meg and Joe Boyd
Bows (Heart)—Orchestra
Exit March—Orchestra
Based on 1994 revival
Act One
Overture
Six Months Out Of Every Year — Meg Boyd, Joe Boyd, Sister, Gloria Thorpe, Husbands, and Wives
Goodbye Old Girl — Joe Boyd and Joe Hardy
Blooper Ballet — The Senators
Heart — Van Buren, Smokey, Rocky, Linville
Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo. — Gloria Thorpe, Senators
Shoeless Joe (Reprise) — Gloria Thorpe, Joe Hardy, and Ensemble (1994 revival only, used elements of the song in the style of retro-1950s commercials)
A Little Brains, a Little Talent — Lola
A Man Doesn’t Know — Joe Hardy and Meg Boyd
Whatever Lola Wants — Lola
Act Two
Who’s Got the Pain? — Lola and Senators (Originally, this came at the end of Act One, as “The Game” started Act Two)
The Game — Rocky, Smokey, and Senators
Near to You — Joe Hardy and Meg Boyd (1994 IBDB shows the addition of Joe Boyd)
Those Were the Good Old Days — Applegate
Two Lost Souls — Lola and Applegate (1994 IBDB shows Applegate, 1955 IBDB shows Hardy)
A Man Doesn’t Know (Reprise) — Meg and Joe Boyd
Characters
Joe Boyd — A middle-aged, overweight married man who is in love with baseball, especially the Senators [the “older” Joe Hardy]
Joe Hardy — The 22-year-old, home-run-hitting transformation of Joe Boyd
Meg Boyd — Joe’s loyal, traditional wife
Lola — The Devil’s seductress assistant
Mr. Applegate — The Devil in disguise as a slick salesman
Van Buren — The hard working manager of the Senators with great heart but no luck
Gloria Thorpe — A probing reporter
Rocky — A baseball player for the Senators
Smokey — A “dim bulb” catcher for the Senators
Cherry — A friend of Meg
Doris — A friend of Meg
Sister — A friend of Meg
Mr. Welch — The owner of the Senators
Others: Bouley (also called Ibsen in some productions), Vernon, Henry, Linville, Sohovik, Lowe, Mickey, Del, Miss Weston, and The Commissioner
Baseball players and batboys; Baseball fans’ wives
(The original Broadway version also had a children’s chorus who sang the reprise of “Heart”)
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