Damn Yankees - Original Broadway Cast Recording 1994

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The old Faustian legend about the man who sells his soul to the Devil in order to regain youth and good looks received a clever updating in this whimsical musical, which took the tale and squarely set it against the background of America's favorite pastime, baseball. As reconceived by Douglas Wallop and George Abbott, Damn Yankees, based on Mr. Wallop's novel "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant," transplanted Faust into middle-America and gave him the name Joe Boyd. After he makes a pact with the Devil, a businessman more prosaically named Mr. Applegate, Boyd becomes "Shoeless" Joe Hardy, a hard-hitter, who takes the Washington Senators, his favorite team (and perpetual losers), all the way to the finals of the American League game, where they face those "damn Yankees." But this being a musical, set in America, there is a happy ending to the story: in spite of Mr. Applegate, and his assistant, the sultry Lola, Joe Hardy invokes the "escape clause" he and the Devil had agreed on initially, and at the last minute, just before curtain time, returns to his loving wife as Joe Boyd, serene in the knowledge that it was he who helped the Senators win the Pennant. A multiple Tony Award-winner (including for Best Musical) in 1956, Damn Yankees ran for 1,019 performances (a rarity at the time), and made a star of Gwen Verdon, playing Lola, whose siren song, "Whatever Lola Wants," became a huge popular hit. Virtually intact, and with only one major cast change (Tab Hunter replacing Stephen Douglass as Joe Hardy), the show was transferred to the screen in 1958, in a splashy screen transfer that retained all the flavor and guile of the original. After extensive revisions, in 1994 it was revived on Broadway, with Bebe Neuwirth as Lola and Victor Garber as Mr. Applegate, where it enjoyed a successful run, before going on the road, with Jerry Lewis, billed above the title, taking over as the Devil. Of the three recordings available, the first Broadway cast offers the original stars (Gwen Verdon, Stephen Douglass, and Ray Walston as Mr. Applegate) in a spirited rendition which has all the freshness and excitement usually experienced when a show first hits Broadway. Its only drawback (if that's the word!) is that it is in mono sound, since stereo didn't become an industry standard until later that year. The soundtrack album, available for the first time in stereo in this CD version, is almost identical to the Broadway cast album, but offers, in addition to the cast change noted above, and Ray Heindorf's flavorful orchestrations, longer versions of some of the songs, as well as better polished performances overall. The 1994 Broadway cast album, with its abundance of new selections, and dynamic renditions of the songs by Bebe Neuwirth, Victor Garber, and the other members of the cast, is as good a recording as can be gotten. It has the vibrancy, the fun, and the excitement one usually expects in that kind of production, and its sound quality is up to the latest standards. -- © 1998 Visible Ink Press. All rights reserved. Label: Decca Broadway



Musical Theatre Melodies to Celebrate 70th Anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein's ME AND JULIET by Blair Ingenthron - May 27, 2023

The next Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast, hosted by Rob Morrison on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, May 30 will mark the 70th anniversary of the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical ME AND JULIET from the original 1953 Broadway cast recording starring Isabel Bigley, Bill Hayes, Joan McCracken, Mark Dawson, Arthur Maxwell and Bill Fortier.

Deborah Martin and Jill Haley Release 'INTO THE QUIET' Album by Blair Ingenthron - May 27, 2023

Into The Quiet is the second collaboration between electronic ambient visionary Deborah Martin and renowned English Horn player and Oboist Jill Haley. Their previous album was 2021's The Silence Of Grace, a pastoral collection that received numerous accolades including Zone Music Reporter's list of Top 20 albums of the year.

Music Review: KPOP Kast ReKording Komes Klose, But No Kick For KPOP by Bobby Patrick - May 27, 2023

In the end, what you have in the cast album of KPOP is a fine KPOP album with lots of fun danceable music being sung by Broadway-caliber voices.

Music Review: Disney's New THE LITTLE MERMAID Soundtrack Makes Less Out Of More… More Or Less by Bobby Patrick - May 25, 2023

Truthfully, there is a lot to enjoy if you are unfamiliar with Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, and even if you are, but taking all this on balance ... this new soundtrack comes off a bit thin

Sylvie Courvoisier & Cory Smythe Release New Album 'RITE OF SPRING - SPECTRE D'UN SONGE' by Blair Ingenthron - May 20, 2023

With The Rite of Spring – Spectre d’un songe, two of contemporary music’s most vital and innovative pianists – Sylvie Courvoisier and Cory Smythe – interpret and converse with one of the 20th century’s landmark compositions. On this breathtaking new recording, released May 19, 2023 from Pyroclastic Records, Courvoisier and Smythe perform Igor Stravinsky’s striking two-piano rendition of his iconic Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), followed by a bold new Courvoisier composition that draws inspiration from Stravinsky as a launchpad for investigatory improvisation.

THE GUAVA TREE, A New Bilingual Musical For Young Audiences, Releases Cast Album by Blair Ingenthron - May 20, 2023

The official cast album for The Guava Tree / El Guayabo, a new bilingual musical for young audiences, is available digitally on all platforms. With book and lyrics by Diana Grisanti and music by Emiliano Messiez, the musical premiered at the renowned Creede Repertory Theatre in Colorado in 2021. It toured across the Southwest and was seen by more than 40,000 students. 

The Drama Book Shop To Present In-Person Conversation With Caseen Gaines And Noble Sissle Jr. by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2023

The Drama Book Shop will present a special event featuring acclaimed authors Caseen Gaines and Noble Sissle Jr. The evening will be dedicated to a captivating discussion about the new book, When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical that Changed the World.

Listen: Eleri Ward Releases 'Sunday' From 'ACOUSTIC SONDHEIM: LIVE FROM BROOKLYN by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2023

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced that the new album from singer/songwriter Eleri Ward – Acoustic Sondheim: Live from Brooklyn – will be released in digital and streaming formats on Friday, June 2. 

Listen: Matthew Scott's THE JESUS YEAR: A LETTER FROM MY DAD Out Now by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2023

PS CLASSICS, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American popular song, has announced the release of the debut album from actor-singer Matthew Scott, who has been lighting up the Broadway stage since making his debut in Jersey Boys. 

Album Review: Pizzarelli & Pals Partner To Play Their Punctillious Poetry & It's A Party On STAGE & SCREEN by Bobby Patrick - May 20, 2023

As we listened to John Pizzarelli’s STAGE & SCREEN, our initial thought was, “There aren’t really words to describe how good this is.”

Exclusive: Get a First Listen to Matthew Scott's 'When the Earth Stopped Turning' by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 18, 2023

Get an exclusive first listen to Matthew Scott's “When the Earth Stopped Turning” off his upcoming album The Jesus Year: a letter from my dad.

Interview: Matt Hawkins, Aurelia Williams of MY HEART SAYS GO by Michael Walters - May 23, 2023

Matt Hawkins and Aurelia Williams talk with Michael Walters about their new concept album of the musical MY HEART SAYS GO.

Music Review: Billy Recce Begs Us All To COME OUT On His New Single & He's Right… We Should by Bobby Patrick - May 16, 2023

Billy Recce’s hilarious new single is not a gay battle cry ... but a satirical reproachment that ultimately says, “COME OUT OF WHOEVER YOU ARE!”

Author Mike McHale Launches Monthly #DinoDogzDonates Program by Blair Ingenthron - May 13, 2023

Mystery Mike McHale and DinoDogz have announced the launch of their new fundraising program, DinoDogz has previously raised funds for various charities including WORTHY OF LOVE, TUESDAY'S CHILDREN and BELLA AND BUDDIES ANIMAL RESCUE through the sales of their first book DinoDogz: Eggzellent Adventure which is the first in a series. 

Album Review: A Concept Album For A New Show MY HEART SAYS GO Yields Good Things Musically by Bobby Patrick - May 13, 2023

Though we do feel the creators should dig a little deeper to make their plot a little fresher for their show, it is a worthy concept.

The Drama Book Shop to Host Catalina Florina Florescu and the Authors of BORDERLESS THALIA by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 12, 2023

The Drama Book Shop is hosting an exclusive in-person conversation with editor Catalina Florina Florescu and the authors of 'Borderless Thalia: A Multilingual, Pandemic Comic Collection'. This special event will feature authors Barbara Blatner, Sarah Congress, Tjaša Ferme, and Ornella Ohayon.

Listen: Billy Recce Releases New Single 'Come Out' by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 12, 2023

BILLY RECCE has released his effervescent new single “Come Out” on all digital and streaming platforms. Listen now!

Music Review: With Their New Single ALMOST Ann Hampton Callaway & Amanda McBroom Create Perfection by Bobby Patrick - May 12, 2023

These two Platinum-selling singer/songwriters have created a completely stylish duet for themselves, and there is nothing ALMOST about it.

Album Review: Rickie Lee Jones Is Just In Time With Her New Album Of Standards PIECES OF TREASURE by Bobby Patrick - May 12, 2023

Rickie Lee Jones is a consummate artist so it should not come as any surprise that she is a master of this kind of music as well.

Album Review: SHUCKED The Musical Releases Its Corny Cast Album & It's A Toe Tapper by Bobby Patrick - May 11, 2023

If you love that wonderful down-home cross-section of musicals that include things like BIG RIVER, THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, BRIGHT STAR, or, let’s face it, OKLAHOMA, then you should definitely go get SHUCKED.

Album Review: Fanny's Funny Boy, Karimloo, Completes His Trip Round The Compass With His 4th EP, THE ROAD TO FIND OUT WEST by Bobby Patrick - May 11, 2023

Taken all together, Ramin Karimloo’s THE ROAD TO FIND OUT series yields music that uplifts, haunts, and will make you sway a bit.

Laurence Maslon's New 'Cocktail Table' Book I'LL DRINK TO THAT to be Published This Month by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 10, 2023

I’ll Drink to That! is a celebration of theatrical tradition, a souvenir of magic moments on stage, and a practical guide to make one-of-a-kind craft cocktail recipes inspired by the best of Broadway.

LOCKED AND LOADED, AN AMERICAN MUSICAL Cast Album to be Released This Summer by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 10, 2023

A cast album of songs Broadway vet and Tony nominee Bill Russell is set for release this summer. Production is under way on the 14 songs of Jim Brosseau's 'Locked and Loaded, an American Musical.'

Album Review: Farah Alvin Pulls Up The Covers On Her New Album, ON VINYL, & Rocks, Rolls, & Feels All The 70s Beats by Bobby Patrick - May 10, 2023

Farah Alvin proves herself to be as wonderful a recording artist as she is a live performer.

CINDERELLAS OF WEST 53RD STREET Book Signing to Take Place at The Museum of Broadway by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 10, 2023

On New York City’s Rehearsal Club “Recognition Day,” May 11th, Bear Manor is releasing its new title, -- Cinderellas of West 53rd Street: Stories from the Legendary Rehearsal Club, with a special book-signing event at The Museum of Broadway.

Photos: See Phillipa Soo, Andrew Burnap, Jordan Donica & More Recording the CAMELOT Cast Album by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 09, 2023

See the company of Lincoln Center Theater's Camelot recording the cast album!

Video: Patrick Pacheco Opens Up About Putting Pen to Paper with Chita Rivera by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - May 09, 2023

She was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero—until the entertainment world renamed her. But Dolores—the irreverent side of the sensual, dark and ferocious Chita—was always present center stage, and was influential in creating some of Broadway most iconic and acclaimed roles, including Anita in West Side Story‚ the part that made her a star—Rosie in Bye Bye, Birdie, Velma in Chicago, and Aurora in Kiss of the Spider Woman. In this video, watch as co-author Patrick Pacheco chats with Richard Ridge about the new memoir!

Doug DeVita To Speak At The Drama Book Shop in June by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 08, 2023

The Drama Book Shop will serve as host for a special night with celebrated New York playwright, Doug DeVita, Tuesday, June 6 @ 7:30 p.m.

Anne Burnell & Mark Burnell Release New Single THE LUSTY MONTH OF MAY by Blair Ingenthron - May 06, 2023

National jazz radio favorites and one of Chicago's most popular musical duos, Anne Burnell and Mark Burnell have released a brand new, stand-alone single to celebrate spring, THE LUSTY MONTH OF MAY.

Listen: MY HEART SAYS GO Starring Javier Muñoz and Jessie Mueller Now Available by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 05, 2023

Broadway Records studio cast recording of Jorge Rivera-Herrans’ new musical My Heart Says Go is now available on all digital platforms!



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