Damn Yankees

Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross (music and lyrics) and George Abbott and Douglass Wallop (book)

Directed by John Rando

City Center Encores!

130 West 56th Street

212-581-1212

 

Review by Amy Krivohlavek

 

“I’m handy with fire,” deadpans Mr. Applegate, snatching a flame from midair to light a cigarette as he seduces the aging Joe Boyd into trading his soul to become young baseball star Joe Hardy. Although none of the other characters in Damn Yankees pull out the pyrotechnics, the cast — which includes TV celebrities Jane Krakowski and Sean Hayes — features a glittery array of talent. But in this spirited yet often tepid production, the material only releases a few sparks, never building into the ebullient blaze that smolders just beneath the surface.

 

Damn Yankees is the second show to headline the Summer Stars series at City Center Encores! — last year, the Patti Lupone-fueled Gypsy graduated into an acclaimed, Tony Award-nominated Broadway revival. It’s all too temping to compare the two shows, but that would be like comparing a fireworks display with apple pie. Damn Yankees might not light up the sky, but it makes a sweetly satisfying slice of Americana, especially in the heat of summer — and baseball season.

 

Bat Boys: Singing ballplayers try to take down those Damn Yankees at City Center.

 

Together with Mary MacLeod, who has faithfully recreated Bob Fosse’s exquisite choreography (just try to take your eyes off of those leaping baseball players), director John Rando has assembled a highly enjoyable production of this classic musical, from the lived-in coziness of the baseball-dugout sets to the vibrant supporting cast — including Veanne Cox and Kathy Fitzgerald, who are a hoot as two chirpy baseball fans.

 

But through some strange alchemy, the central story fizzles, and few performers seem comfortable enough in their roles to really explode off the stage. Most noticeably, Krakowski, a surprisingly strong dancer and reliably saucy comedienne, acquits herself well as Lola, but loses steam between punches. Hayes fares better, digging through a deep bag of tricks (including brilliant piano skills) to make a convincing Applegate. Displaying a subtlety that wasn’t always evident in his “Will and Grace” role, he saves his bouts of histrionics for when they really score (his hilarious imitation of Lola’s seduction stopped the show the night I attended).

 

More sparkler than firecracker, Damn Yankees truly ignites through its catchy music — there’s nothing quite like hearing the cheerful earnestness of “Heart” or the lusty playfulness of “Whatever Lola Wants” accompanied by a sizzling orchestra, who have enough fire to keep the entire stage aglow.