RELIVE THE RIVALRY!
NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE OPENS THE 2006 MUSICAL SEASON WITH AN UPDATED ‘DAMN YANKEES’
Presented in Association with the Boston Red Sox
How far would you go to reverse ‘The Curse?’ On April 25, the award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) will open the 2006 musical season with an all new updated production of DAMN YANKEES, created just for NSMT audiences, and presented in association with The Boston Red Sox. DAMN YANKEES plays the newly renovated arena theatre from April 25 ‘ May 14, 2006. Press Night is scheduled for April 27, 2006 at 7:30pm. The 2006 musical season is sponsored by Comcast.
NSMT has put a new spin on this hilarious and heart-warming classic which now tells the story of a die-hard Red Sox fan who makes a deal with the devil to help the Sox break the curse and take the pennant from the dreaded Yankees. Based on a concept by Jon Kimbell, Joe DiPietro (Memphis, All Shook Up, I Love You! You’re Perfect! Now Change!) has adapted the original book by Douglass Wallop and George Abbott ‘ for this production only – to feature plenty of surprises and special appearances that will thrill NSMT and Red Sox fans alike. The memorable score, with music and lyrics by Jerry Ross and Richard Adler includes ‘You Gotta Have Heart’ and ‘Whatever Lola Wants.’
‘Damn Yankees is one of my favorite musicals,’ said Jon Kimbell, NSMT’s Artistic Director and Executive Producer. ‘It’s a marvelous example of superb musical theater, and it lends itself beautifully to the new concept of the Red Sox and ‘The Curse.’ It’s not often that a theater has the ability to take a classic and personalize it to a specific location. It’s a rare opportunity for both Red Sox fans and theater fans to come together to experience this type of excitement on stage.’
Among the many special events surrounding this production, NSMT will welcome the Red Sox mascot ‘Wally the Green Monster’ (April 27 and May 9 performances) and the World Series Trophy (April 27 performance) to the theater. In addition, patrons will be swept up in authentic Red Sox fever with play-by-play commentary by Fenway Park announcer Carl Beane and veteran baseball writer Sean McAdam. Plus, there will be plenty of ball park concessions for patrons to enjoy on the NSMT grounds and in the lobby.
The cast will be lead by George Merrick as Joe Hardy. Mr. Merrick has performed many leading roles in regional theatre and Off-Broadway as well as on tour including Billy in Carousel, Curly in Oklahoma! Cliff in Cabaret and Tommy in Brigadoon in venues that include Sacramento Music Circus, Syracuse Stage, The Wang Center, The Ahmanson Theatre in L.A. and the Berkshire Theatre Festival.
Broadway veteran Shannon Lewis will bring to life the sexy and seductive Lola. Ms. Lewis’ Broadway credits include the recent Broadway revival of Sweet Charity, as well as Fosse, The Look of Love, Contact, Candide and Crazy for You.
Raising a little Hell in his NSMT debut playing Mr. Applegate will be Jim Walton. Mr. Walton’s credits include the original production of 42nd Street, as well as production of Crazy for You (PBS), Merrily We Roll Along, Sweeney Todd, The Music Man, And the World Goes ‘Round, Closer Than Ever and Lady, Be Good!.
The show will also feature Becky Barta (Sister), Christy Faber (Gloria Thorpe), Mary Callanan (Doris), Steve Luker (Van Buren), Richard Pruitt (Joe Boyd) and Kay Walbye (Meg Boyd).
Rounding out the cast will be Noah Aberlin, Ryan Patrick Binder, Craig Kaufman, Kasey Marino, Matthew Sean Morgan, Leo Nouhan, Amanda Paulson, Kevin Steele, and Christopher Saunders.
NSMT welcomes back Barry Ivan to direct and choreograph DAMN YANKEES. An award-winning director and choreographer, Mr. Ivan has staged more than a dozen productions at The Music Theatre including the recent productions of The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Nine, West Side Story, Mame, Chicago and Miss Saigon. He has been associated with theaters throughout the U.S. and Europe, ranging from the German State Opera to Yale.
The creative team for DAMN YANKEES also includes Bruce Barnes (Music Director), Russel Parkman (Scenic Designer), Vincent Scassellati (Costume Designer), David Neville (Lighting Designer), John A. Stone (Sound Design), Gerard Kelly (Hair and Wig Design), Michael Goudzwaard (Special Effects Designer), Bethany Ford (Production Stage Manager), Melissa A. Rouse-Stuart (Assistant Choreographer), Joanna E. Murphy (Assistant Costume Designer), Alicia D. Reece (Assistant Stage Manager), Nick Gregorian (Red Sox Consultant) and Matt Schreiber & Alison Franck (Casting)
Tickets for DAMN YANKEES are priced from $75 to $40: Senior & Youth Discounts and Rush Tickets are Available. Performances are April 25 ‘ May 14, 2006: Tue ‘ Thurs at 7:30pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm, matinees Wed at 1:30pm, Sat and Sun at 2pm. Tickets: www.nsmt.org, (978) 232-7200, or in person at 62 Dunham Rd. Beverly, MA 01915. There will be one ASL interpreted performance on May 13, 2006 at 2pm.
Related free events: 5/2: Meet the Theatre, post show audience discussion with the artists; 5/7: Spotlight on History, a free pre-show discussion focusing on historical issues related to the performance; 5/11: Out at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post show reception; 5/13: Meet the Theatre after the 2pm performance, post-show audience discussion with the artists.
Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 350,000 patrons annually. NSMT has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs. NSMT has received numerous industry awards including IRNE Awards, the Elliot Norton Award, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors’ Equity, and the Moss Ha