Casting has been announced for an upcoming reenvisioning of the classic musical “Damn Yankees.” The revival, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo, will begin previews on Sept. 9 and open on Sept. 19 at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The 1950s musical, which will be newly set against the backdrop of the early-2000s Yankees dynasty, will run for a limited engagement through Nov. 9 in the Fichandler Theater. The production is being produced by special arrangement with Haley Swindal and Julie Boardman, Tony-winning co-producers of the “Sunset Boulevard” revival.
Leading the “Damn Yankees” cast will be Tony nominee Rob McClure as Applegate, Ana Villafañe as Lola, Tony nominee Jordan Donica as Joe Hardy, Grammy Award nominee Quentin Earl Darrington as Joe Boyd, Bryonha Marie as Meg Boyd, Alysha Umphress as Gloria Thorpe, Nehal Joshi as Van Buren, Keenan McCarter as Welch, Rayanne Gonzales as Sister and Sarah Anne Sillers as Doris, with an ensemble featuring Giuseppe Bausilio, Raúl Contreras, Deanna Cudjoe, John Michael Fiumara, Danielle Marie Gonzalez, Michael Harmon, Ryo Kamibayashi, Georgia Monroe, J Savage, Justin Showell, Kevin Munhall, Jordyn Taylor, Drake Leach and Dani Spieler.
A 1956 Tony winner for Best Musical, “Damn Yankees” follows a die-hard baseball fan who makes a deal with the devil to help his rival team clinch the pennant, only to find himself torn between fame, temptation and the life he left behind. Will Power and Tony Award winner Doug Wright are penning the show’s fresh adaptation with Tony winner Lynn Ahrens crafting additional lyrics. “Damn Yankees” has an original book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallopp and a score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.
“Placing this classic musical in the 2000s-era Yankees dynasty we all remember so well has been thrilling. Our goal has been to honor the show’s heart while bringing its characters, rhythms and spirit into the modern age,” shared Trujillo in a statement. “This version is bold, fresh and rooted in a contemporary cultural understanding. I’m so proud to be sharing this work at Arena Stage, a place that celebrates both legacy and innovation.”
“For 70 years, ‘Damn Yankees’ has held its place as a cornerstone of American musical theater,” added Arena Stage’s artistic director, Hana S. Sharif. “Brimming with ambition and heart, it’s a story of yearning, of love, the dreams we chase and the moral crossroads that can define or destroy us — a narrative as poignant today as it was at its debut. We’re honored to introduce this reimagined, iconic musical to a new generation, infused with fresh energy and timeless soul.”
Arena Stage has a history of mounting productions that later move to Broadway. Most recently, Arena hosted an out-of-town staging of the musical “Swept Away” before it arrived on the Main Stem. Other Arena-to-Broadway transfers have included “Sweat,” “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Next to Normal.”
