Ordway Announces Casting for Damn Yankees
Media Contact:
Jessica Petrie
651-282-3113
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Announces Casting for
DAMN YANKEES
22-person cast features mix of returning favorites and new talent
ST. PAUL, Minn. (April 23, 2015) The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts has announced the complete casting for its much anticipated summer production of Damn Yankees. The Ordway-produced musical comedy runs June 1628 for a total of 16 performances. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in-person at the Ordway ticket office.
The cast features Lawrence Clayton as Joe Boyd, Allen Fitzpatrick as Van Buren, Thay Floyd as Joe Hardy, Tari Kelly as Lola, Ann Morrison as Meg Boyd, Michelle Myers as Doris, Kersten Rodau as Gloria Thorpe, Monte Wheeler as Mr. Applegate and Regina Marie Williams as Sister.
Rounding out the company are Lisa Bartholomew Given, Dieter Bierbrauer, Gary Briggle, Mario Esteb, Larissa Gritti, Reid Harmsen, Joey Miller, Aaron Neely, Pascal Pastrana, Randy Schmeling, Rudolph Searles III, Karen Skrinde, Kirby Trymucha-Duresky and Kyle Weiler.
Fast-paced and wickedly clever, Damn Yankees is an all-American home run musical hit. Aging baseball fanatic Joe Boyd sells his soul to the devil for the chance to lead his favorite team, the Washington Senators, to a win over the New York Yankees. Can he lead the Senators to victory and still outsmart the Devil to win his soul back in time?
Damn Yankees is one of those shows that resonates with audiences of all ages. Its a modern interpretation of the classic Faustian tale which really makes people stop and think, What would I sell my soul for?all set in the world of Americas favorite pastime, said James A. Rocco, Ordways vice president of programming and producing artistic director. The catchy music and iconic characters, such as Lola of Whatever Lola Wants fame, really bring this show to life. Plus, weve got some fun things up our sleeves which will make you feel like youre right there at the game, but without the sunburn, mosquitos or rowdy fans.
Directed and choreographed by award-winning duo James A. Rocco and Sharon Halley, this riveting musical features words and music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop based on Wallops novel, The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant.
The productions creative team includes Jeff Rizzo (musical director), Raymond Berg (associate musical director), J Branson (scenic design), Pamila Gray (lighting design), Lynda L. Salsbury (costume design), Andy Horka (sound design) and Robert A. Dunn (hair and make-up design).
Damn Yankees opened on Broadway in 1955, receiving seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. A successful film version of the show, featuring Gwen Verdon in the role of Lola, was released in 1958.
For tickets and more information about Damn Yankees, visit www.ordway.org.
ABOUT THE ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nations leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Pauls most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordways Music Theater and soon-to-be completed Concert Hall attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordways mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Childrens Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also sponsors the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a charter high school with a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with the Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances. For more information, visit www.ordway.org.
