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Elm Grove - Sunset Playhouse is set to knock one out of the park with its production of the baseball musical “Damn Yankees,” running July 11 through August 3. This devilishly-clever musical, with music and lyrics by Jerry Ross and Richard Adler, is a light, fast-paced, home-run hit whose all-American subject matter and irreverent sense of humor have brought many a sports fan into the theater.
Douglass Wallop and George Abbott wrote the play’s story about middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd who trades his soul to the Devil for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race. As Joe helps create a winning team, he realizes the true worth of the life he's left behind. The catchy score is filled with rousing production numbers and popular favorites like "Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants.”
Well known for his professional work as an actor in and director of stage musicals, Guest Director Bryce Lord will lead the Sunset production team. Artistic Director Mark Salentine points out Bryce’s previous Sunset success. “His direction of the play ‘Sylvia’ here in 2006 was very popular and audiences saw Bryce performing on our stage in last summer’s sell-out musical, ‘Footloose.’” Donna Kummer provides the professional musical direction with assistance from Ryan Cappleman. Melissa Bloch-Meier returns this summer as choreographer.
The 24-member cast blends talented newcomers with seasoned professionals. Some grade school, high school, and college students work alongside such well-known actors as William Jackson, Robert Zimmerman, and Antoinette Stikl. Jackson plays the devilish Mr. Applegate, and performed in a touring version of “Damn Yankees” with original Broadway cast members Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston.
Zimmerman plays middle-aged Joe and Stikl is his faithful wife, Meg. Incidentally, the role of Meg was played in the 1994 Broadway revival by now Milwaukee-area resident Linda Stephens.
Resident Scenic Designer J. Michael Desper designed and will create, with the help of volunteers, a transformational unit set of varying levels where homes and locker rooms rotate into view and elements of a baseball park fill the stage. Professional lighting designer Marty Wallner will create the many visual effects for a multitude of scenes. Ellen Kozak, a professional costumer, will get assistance from Kathy Smith to help provide the many 1950s looks. Jan Pritzl, a devoted Sunset regular for decades, will fill the sound needs. Jennifer Allen and Lukas Condie will stage manage as well as do properties work.
Full-priced tickets for Damn Yankees are $20.00. Group rates for 15 or more people are available. Rush tickets $10.00 one hour prior to the performance (based on availability). For more information or to order tickets by telephone, call the Box Office at (262) 782-4430. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE!