The Canyon Theatre Guild has hit a home run with their production of the Broadway classic, Damn Yankees. Just in time for the spring baseball season, this fast-paced, song-filled musical comedy asks the question, “What would it take for you to sell your soul to the Devil?” For middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd (played by Bill Armstrong) the Washington Senators are “one good long ball hitter” away from winning the pennant. So, Joe makes a pact with the Devil (Steve Rizzo) to be turned in to a 22 year-old baseball super star.
As young baseball sensation Joe Hardy (played by Robert Brady), he transforms the Washington Senators into a winning team, only to realize the true worth of the life he’s left behind. Joe becomes the savior of the team and a star in the Major Leagues, but the pact with the Devil includes an escape clause that might allow Joe to return to his previous life and the wife he left behind (played by Lydia Saxton). Will Joe take the escape clause? Or will he get down with the Devil and Miss Lola (played by Cyndi Caldwell) and remain a Lost Soul forever?
Directed by Donna Manfredi, the stellar cast also includes Marie Wise-Hawkins as Gloria Thorpe, Laurie Morgan as Sister, Felicia Grady as Darlene and Alexis Crane as Doris. Also featured are Frank Rock (Coach Van Buren), Kelly Roberts as Eddie, Kamber Moen as Miss Weston and Chelsea Jones as Miss Weston’s Assistant. The cast is rounded out by: Mike McCreary, Darel Roberts, Taylor Rizzo, Joe Aboulafia, Jack Matson, Madgah Massoud, Aidan Johnson, Jonah Nelson, Sam Novak, Daniel Durbin and Stevie Beecher.
Baseball lover or not, you will have a great time seeing Damn Yankees. There are evening performances at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays March 28, 29, April 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, as well as Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on April 6 and 13. There will be one Sunday evening performance at 6 p.m. on April 27.
The Canyon Theatre Guild is located at 24242 Main Street in Old Town Newhall. Tickets are $15 to $17 for juniors and seniors and $17 to $19 for adults. Call the box office at 661-799-2702.