Goodspeed, East Haddam, CT
through June 21, 2014
by Walt Haggerty
Praying for a Red Sox win? Turn off the Sports Channel and
head for Connecticut. Yes, East Haddam, CT, where Goodspeed musicals have
launched a winning season with that old favorite, “Damn Yankees.” This time
around instead of dealing with the familiar frustrations of Washington Senators
fans, a brisk and hilarious new adaptation of the original book puts the Red
Sox in the spotlight – and it works – brilliantly! Joe DiPietro is due
well-deserved credit for this swiftly moving, laugh-filled adaptation of the
book, and the Richard Adler/Jerry Ross score is still one of the best.
As is customary at Goodspeed, casting is impeccable – every
performer is spot-on perfect. Their Red Sox team actually looks like a baseball
team instead of a chorus line. Each player has his own distinct personality and
maintains that characterization throughout. Special credit goes to Director
Daniel Goldstein for that accomplishment and to Choreographer Kelli Barclay,
who has devised a series of spirited, challenging and inventive ensemble dance
numbers that have the audience cheering. The cast performances of “Heart” and
“Shoeless Joe” are show-stoppers, especially the latter as led by Lora Lee Gayer
as Gloria Thorpe.
David Beach’s delightfully deceptive, double-dealing Devil
delivers the kind of evil that audiences love to hate. The irony of his “Good
Old Days” solo is priceless. As his seductive temptress/assistant, Lola, Angel
Reda is perfection, most notably in “Whatever Lola Wants.” Stephen Mark Lukas
is every inch the strong, stalwart hero who really could be the answer to the
Red Sox prayer. And WOW – what a voice.
As Meg and Joe Boyd, Ann Arvia and James Judy, respectively,
bring endearing moments of warmth to their characters, notably with “ A Man
Doesn’t Know” and “Near to You.” Kristine Zbornik and Allyce Beaseley, as Meg’s
best friends and over-the-top Red Sox supporters, demonstrate the extremes of
dedicated fans.
“Damn Yankees,” resurrected from the memory book of great
musicals of the past, has been given a well-deserved, vibrant new lease on life
in this current Goodspeed production. It’s a winner.
