MUKILTEO—The Kamiak High School Drama Department will be performing the Broadway mega-hit ‘Damn Yankees’ beginning May 1 through May 9, based on the seven-time Tony Award winning musical.
Damn Yankees is based on Douglass Wallop’s novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant, and follows the story of Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joy Boyd, who trades his soul to the Devil (a.k.a. Mr. Applegate) for a chance to lead his favorite baseball team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees.
Taking the shape of young baseball sensation Joe Hardy, he successfully transforms the hapless Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life that he left behind. Hardy eventually outsmarts Mr. Applegate and returns to his former self where he continues to lead the Senators to the World Series.
The score, which won the production Best Musical when it originally debuted, is composed by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Kamiak’s production will be directed by Brian Sulliven, with Nancy Dick-Jefferson handling musical direction, Eva Stone tackling Choreography, and Brian Steves at the helm of the pit orchestra.
“The winning score by Adler and Ross and a devilish book by George Abbot have made this sporty musical comedy a true American classic,” said Sullivan. “Light, fast-paced and devilishly clever, Damn Yankees is a homerun hit, featuring all-American subject matter and an irreverent sense of humor. Damn Yankees is a wicked, romantic comedy, sure to please.”
Kamiak Junior Calvin Stephens plays the part of Joe Hardy, Senior Maya Morrison plays Meg Boyd, Senior Parish Martin plays Applegate, and Senior Mikayla Caro plays the part of Lola.
“Over the years we try to expose students to a variety of plays and musicals, and it was time Damn Yankees, a golden age classic. Older musicals come with a unique set of challenges and I’m very proud of the student actors and technicians who are working on this production. More than 100 Kamiak students are involved from the actors, to students working backstage, to the student musicians in the pit orchestra. Last year our Performing Arts Center was being renovated, so this is our first Kamiak Musical in the upgraded space, and we are excited to play with all the new equipment we have access to,” said Sullivan.
Kamiak High School’s production of Damn Yankees premiers on May 1 at 7 p.m., with shows spanning May 2, May 8, and May 8.
There will also be two performances on May 9, one at 2 p.m. and another at 7 p.m.
The price for tickets is $15.00 for Students & Seniors and $20.00 General Admission.
For more information, or tickets, visit: Kamiakarts.org
Author: Kienan Briscoe
