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Based on Douglass Wallop's Novel "The Year The Yankees Lost The Pennant," Joe Boyd sells his soul to Mr. Applegate (the devil) for "one good Long ball hitter" for his team the Washington Senators, and becomes a 22 year old sports superstar who can escape by going back to his wife before 9 pm on the final game day. If he doesn't Mr. Applegate gets his soul.

Original Version [1955]
Revised Version [1993]

Based on Wallop's novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant

The producers Harold Prince, Robert Griffith, and Frederick Brisson had decided that the lead actress for the part of "Lola" had to be a dancer. They offered the role to both the movie actress Mitzi Gaynor and ballet dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, each of whom turned down the role. Although Gwen Verdon had sung just one song in her previous show (Can-Can), the producers were willing to take a chance on her. She initially refused, preferring to assist another choreographer, but finally agreed. Choreographer Bob Fosse insisted on meeting her before working with her, and after meeting and working for a brief time, they each agreed to the arrangement.

Damn Yankees opened on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre on May 5, 1955, transferred to the Adelphi Theatre on May 17, 1957, and ran for a total of 1,019 performances. Directed by George Abbott, scenery and costumes William and Jean Eckart, dances and musical numbers staged by Bob Fosse, musical director Hal Hastings, orchestrations by Don Walker, and dance music arrangements by Roger Adams.

The production starred Gwen Verdon (Lola), Shannon Bolin (Meg), Robert Shafer (Joe Boyd), Elizabeth Howell (Doris), Stephen Douglass (Joe Hardy), Al Lanti (Henry), Eddie Phillips (Sohovik), Nathaniel Frey (Smokey), Albert Linville (Vernon, Postmaster), Russ Brown (Van Buren), Jimmy Komack (Rocky), Rae Allen (Gloria), Cherry Davis (Teenager), Del Horstmann (Lynch, Commissioner), Richard Bishop (Welch), Janie Janvier (Miss Weston), Ray Walston (Mr. Applegate). And Jean Stapleton (Sister).

A West End production played at the London Coliseum beginning on March 28, 1957, where the musical played for 258 performances.[2] The production starred Olympic skater Belita (née Gladys Lyne Jepson-Turner) as Lola, but the Fosse choreography was alien to her style, and she was soon replaced by Elizabeth Seal.[3] The production also starred Bill Kerr as Mr. Applegate, and Ivor Emmanuel as Joe Hardy.

In the mid-1970s, Vincent Price starred as Applegate in summer stock productions of the show. In the late 1970s and early 1980s film actor Van Johnson appeared as Mr. Applegate in productions throughout the U.S.A. A Broadway revival opened at the Marquis Theatre on March 3, 1994 and ran for 718 performincas and 18 previews. Featured were Bebe Neuwirth as Lola and Victor Garber as Mr. Applegate. Garber was succeeded by Jerry Lewis, making his Broadway debut, on March 12, 1995, who then starred in a national tour and also played the role in a London production. Jack O'Brien directed, with choreography by Rob Marshall, assisted by his sister, Kathleen Marshall. O'Brien is also credited with revisions to the book.

The 1994 revival production of Damn Yankees opened in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre on June 4, 1997 (previews started May 29) and closed on August 9, 1997. Jerry Lewis reprised his role as Mr. Applegate.

A revival was produced by the City Center Encores! Summer Stars series from July 5 to July 27, 2008. It starred Jane Krakowski as Lola, Sean Hayes as Applegate, Randy Graff as Meg, Megan Lawrence as Gloria Thorpe (replacing an injured Ana Gasteyer during rehearsal), PJ Benjamin as Joe Boyd, and Cheyenne Jackson as Joe Hardy. John Rando directed and the original Fosse choreography was reproduced by Mary MacLeod. Given the substantial changes in the 1994 revival, this is considered by some the first authentic revival of the original production

What Lola Wants (UK film title)
The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant (source material)

Acte I
Overture
Six Months Out Of Every Year—Meg Boyd, Joe Boyd, Sister, Gloria Thorpe, Husbands and Wives
Goodbye Old Girl—Joe Boyd and Joe Hardy
Blooper Ballet—The Senators
Heart—Van Buren, Smokey, Rocky, Linville
Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo. -- Gloria Thorpe, Senators
Shoeless Joe (Reprise) -- Gloria Thorpe, Joe Hardy and Ensemble (1994 revival only, used elements of the song in the style of retro-1950s commercials)
A Little Brains, a Little Talent—Lola
A Man Doesn't Know—Joe Hardy & Meg Boyd
Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets-- Lola

Acte II
Who's Got the Pain? -- Lola & Senators (Originally, this came at the end of Act One, as "The Game" started Act Two)
The Game—Rocky, Smokey & Senators
Near to You—Joe Hardy and Meg Boyd (1994 IBDB shows the addition of Joe Boyd)
Those Were the Good Old Days—Applegate
Two Lost Souls—Lola and Joe Hardy (1994 IBDB shows Applegate, 1955 IBDB shows Hardy)
A Man Doesn't Know (Reprise) -- Meg Boyd and Joe Boyd

Joe Boyd — A middle-aged, overweight married man who is in love with baseball, especially the Senators [the "older" Joe Hardy]
Joe Hardy — The 22-year-old, home run hitting alter ego of Joe Boyd
Lola — The Devil's seductress assistant
Mr. Applegate — The Devil in disguise as a slick salesman
Meg Boyd — Joe's loyal, traditional wife
Van Buren — The hard working manager of the Washington Senators with great heart but no luck
Gloria Thorpe — A probing reporter
Rocky — A baseball player for the Washington Senators
Smokey — A "dim bulb" catcher for the Washington Senators
Doris — A friend of Meg
Sister — A friend of Meg
Mr. Welch - The owner of the Senators
Others: Bouley (also called Ibsen in some productions), Vernon, Henry, Linville, Sohovik, Lowe, Mickey, Del, and The Commissioner
Baseball players and batboys; Baseball fans' wives

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