Press Releases

October 23, 1998
Damn Yankees Performed by Southampton Players; Opening Night is Nov. 5

Contact:
Jane Finalborgo
Joe Dionisio
(516) 287 8313
Fax: (516) 283 4081

Photograph: Gary Mamay

Southampton, NY -- The 1998 World Champions aren't the only Yankee team considered unbeatable-- in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the team won 10 out of 12 American League pennants. This unbelievable winning streak inspired the book that subsequently inspired Damn Yankees, the ultimate baseball musical opening Thursday, Nov. 5 at Southampton College of Long Island University.

With music by Southampton's own Richard Adler, lyrics by Jerry Ross, and a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, Damn Yankees is based on Wallop's book The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant. It's a "fan"tastical tale about a Washington Senators fan who is transformed into baseball player extraordinaire, Joe Hardy. The "presto-chango" is accomplished by a devilish fellow who calls himself Mr. Applegate. The "game" really gets exciting when Applegate enlists the help of his "on-staff" temptress, Lola, to capture the young ballplayer's interest. Hit songs from the show include "Heart," "Whatever Lola Wants" and "Two Lost Souls."

Presented by Southampton Players, with direction and choreography by Michael Disher and musical direction by Drina Keen, the musical features a large cast of community and college performers. It plays Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 5-8 and Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 12-14 in the Avram Theater at the College. All performances are at 8 p.m. For reservations, contact Southampton Players office at 516-287-8480.

Photograph: Gary Mamay

Players veteran Ray Hamlin appears as the mythical Joe Hardy; Monica Mercedes is Lola, who usually gets what she wants; P.J. Palladino is Applegate; Vay David is Meg Boyd, wife of the fan who gets transformed; and Ron Hamlin is her husband, Joe Boyd. Vincent A. Doty is Washington Senators manager Benny Van Buren; Lisa McCluskey plays reporter Gloria Thorpe; and Kat Weiss and Kymme Napoli are Meg's friends, Sister and Doris Miller.

The ballplayers are played by Danny Bennett, Paul Conroy, Otilio Gonzalez, Nick Hamblet, John Lovett, Michael Marolla, Kevin Moran, Bobby Roddini and Christian Zarcone. Brenda Reid appears as Mrs. Welch, owner of the club; Jackie Townsend is her secretary, Miss Weston; and Matias Letelier is the bat boy.

The chorus includes Winifred Boyd, Gemma Breithaupt, Kelly Carman, Leah Dazzo, Katie Dunne, Theresa Goergen, Dina Kahnovitch, Elizabeth Lux, Rose McCutchan, Connie Papayani, Lizette Santiago, Alissa Smith, Karey Smith and Jody Specht.

Chris Lombardo is designing lights; Chris Rogers is Student Director; and Janese Carstens, Hilary Downes-Vogel and Katrina Lobbia make up the stage managing team.