Damn Yankees 1955 - Articles Page 1.8

On this day in 1955, Broadway hit one out of the park when the musical Damn Yankees celebrated its opening night!

The criteria are that these shows have been nominated for Best Musical from the 3rd Tony Awards (the ceremony that started the Best Musical category) in 1949 to the nominations of what will now be the 74th Tony Awards in 2021. I will be determining their signs based upon their Broadway premiere date. With those rules in mind, here we go!

Through our Women in Theatre Through the Decades features, we will be highlighting the vital role that women have played in theatre history, showcasing those who paved the way and who continue to make history today. 

These books, many of which were written by current or former set designers, take a deep dive into what the art is all about, how to get started, what research goes into the craft, and even how to design on a budget!

It is impossible to walk into a Broadway theatre, or simply just think of a Broadway theatre, without immediately connecting a memory to it. Every Broadway theatre is filled with a rich and colorful history, brimming over with stories of the stars who graced its staged, legends that were made within its walls, and more.

The 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards will celebrate the life and legacy of American theater producer and director Harold 'Hal' Prince with the Drama Desk's newly established lifetime achievement honor.

On this day in 1955, Broadway hit one out of the park when the musical Damn Yankees celebrated its opening night!

The Players Guild of Leonia kicks off their 100th year, Exciting Centennial Season with the classic smash hit musical of 1955, Damn Yankees, by Richard Adler & Douglas Wallop, book by George Abbbott and Douglas Wallop, and is presented through special arrangement with Music International (MTI).

The Ellen Theatre presents ERIC FUNK - WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS. Featuring world-class composer Eric Funk, over 40 regional musicians perform some of The Beatles' greatest hits, including  a?oeHey, Judea??, a?oeLet it Bea??, a?oeNorwegian Wooda??, and many more. In celebration of The Ellen's 100th anniversary, all of the musicians are donating their time and talents for this fundraiser, with 100% of ticket sales going to the theatre. Eric Funk - With a Little Help from My Friends takes place Saturday, October 5 at 3 PM. Tickets are $44.50 for adults, and $37.50 for MSU students.

BroadwayWorld has learned that Ken LeRoy recently passed away at age 92. No other details of his death are known at this time.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of prolific producer, director, writer, and the individual recipient of the most Tony Awards in multiple categories in history, Harold Prince, who passed away on July 31, 2019 at age 91. To commemorate his life and work, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute on Wednesday, July 31 at exactly 7:45pm.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of legendary Broadway director and producer Hal Prince at 91 years of age after a brief illness, in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce the first show of the 2019 Mainstage Season will be the World Premiere of THE PROMPTER (May 28- June 16) a new comedy by Wade Dooley; directed by Scott Schwartz, Bay Street Theater's Artistic Director. The other two previously announced shows will be the World Premiere of SAFE SPACE, which will now run from June 25 - July 21. This new play is by Alan Fox and will be directed by three-time Tony Award Winner Jack O'Brien (All My Sons, Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia). The third show will be a bold new re-envisioning of Irving Berlin's classic musical ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, (July 30 - August 25) with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by Herbert & Dorothy Fields. This production will be directed by Sarna Lapine (Sunday in the Park with George, Bay Street's Frost/Nixon). The casts and creative teams will be announced soon. Subscriptions are available by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or online at www.baystreet.org.

Starlight Community Theater (SCT) will be presenting The Pajama Game for eleven (11) performances beginning Friday, February 22 and running through Sunday, March 10. This production will mark the seventh show of SCT's 2018-2019 season and is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Stanley Donen, director of movie musicals such as Singin' In The Rain and On The Town, has died, according to Variety. Donen was 94.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce two of the three productions planned for the 2019 Mainstage Summer Season. The first will be the World Premiere of SAFE SPACE, which will run from May 28 - June 16. This new play is by Alan Fox and will be directed by three-time Tony Award Winner Jack O'Brien (The Hard Place, Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia).

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the independent, not-for-profit affiliate of SDC, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, today announced unique plans for its 2019 award evening, which will feature original choreographic pieces resulting from a special commissioning program, with the application period now open. SDCF also announced that Victoria Traube would receive a special 'Mr. Abbott' Award at the event, to be held March 25 at the French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF).

Veteran Broadway performer George Marcy has died.  The lovable actor, singer, dancer died at his home in Las Vegas, NV in May.  

Centenary Stage Company's critically acclaimed Young Performers Workshop returns with their annual Spring Festival of Shows running May 25 through June 3. These talented young thespians between the ages of 8 and 18 fill the Little Theater with musical theatre favorites including Hello Dolly!, Damn Yankees, Charlotte's Web, and South Pacific.

Centenary Stage Company's critically acclaimed Young Performers Workshop returns with their annual Spring Festival of Shows running May 25 through June 3. These talented young thespians between the ages of 8 and 18 fill the Little Theater with musical theatre favorites including Hello Dolly!, Damn Yankees, Charlotte's Web, and South Pacific.

DAMN YANKEES is one of those fun, classic musical comedies with no message and familiar tunes. The show is a bit too long, and many of the lyrics are dated. Still, in the hands of a company such as Palm Canyon Theatre, a community theatre with the expertise to present large-cast musicals, the feel-good, dance-intensive show will leave the audience smiling and humming. 

Rehearsals are in full swing for The 5th Avenue Theatre's production of Kiss Me, Kate, which begins performances next Friday, April 6.

The original producers of Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, Broadway's longest running musical revue, announced today that the show will return to New York this summer following a limited engagement at Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse. Preview performances will begin at New York's Stage 42 (422 West 42nd Street) on July 6 and opening night is set for July 22. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 12 through telecharge.com and the box office will open on June 25. Casting is to be announced.