'Damn Yankees' takes field in Adrian
8/18/2010ADRIAN - The Croswell Opera House is swinging for the fences as it presents Damn Yankees, the finale of its summer musical-theater season.
Written by George Abbott and Douglass Wall, with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, Damn Yankees is the story of Joe Boyd, a middle-aged baseball fan who sells his soul to the devil in order to become Joe Hardy, a young baseball superstar, and help his struggling team, the Washington Senators. But the deal comes with some unforeseen complications, including the fact that Joe's beloved wife, Meg, is frantic when he disappears, and he can't let her know that he's OK.
The original production on Broadway ran for more than 1,000 performances and won seven Tony Awards, including best musical and acting honors for Ray Walston as Mr. Applegate (the devil) and Gwen Verdon as Lola, the best homewrecker on his staff.
Songs popularized by the show include "Whatever Lola Wants," "You Gotta Have Heart," and "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO."
Directed by artistic director Jere Righter, the Croswell production features Jim Craig of Adrian as Joe Boyd, Troy McGee of Toledo as Joe Hardy, Annette Sauers of Adrian as Meg Boyd, Mark DiPietro of Adrian as Mr. Applegate, and Ashley Nowak of Toledo as Lola.
"Damn Yankees" is scheduled at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 29 in the theater at 129 East Maumee St., Adrian. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for seniors and students from croswell.org or by calling 517-264-7469.
The Perrysburg Musical Theatre Company has formed with Jody Madaras as its artistic director.
The goal, according to a press release, "is to provide the best possible showcase for members of the community to perform as actors and to provide live, quality entertainment in the form of dramatic and musical productions."
A fund-raising concert featuring songs of Alan Menken from productions such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Little Shop Of Horrors has been scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in Perrysburg Junior High School.
Auditions for the concert will be 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 1 in Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 East Indiana Ave, Perrysburg. Appointments can be made with Kate Philabaum at 419-270-3224 or perrysburgmusicaltheatre@gmail.com.
Contact Nanciann Cherry at: ncherry@theblade.com
or 419-724-6130.