Damn Yankees film on DVD

My second Adler and Ross show this Year is Damn Yankees. Since George Abbott produced and directed both the stage versions and screen versions, I have to assume that the film is fairly true to the original, although I've never seen it on stage. Ray Walston and Gwen Verdon reprise their stage roles for the film. Jean Stapleton, in a small role, was also in both. Ms. Verdon's husband, Bob Fosse, choreographed both versions and appears in the film.

Ray Walston won the Tony for this role, and I have to say Applegate seems like a fun role, but I don't see Walston really savoring it much. Perhaps the very two-dimensional staging and camera angles are partially to blame. This seems like a role where you should chew the scenery.

Gwen Verdon as Lola proves herself the perfect embodiment of Bob Fosse's choreography, especially in the "fan club" dance they perform together toward the end of the film. I wonder if there are other examples of the two of them dancing together.

Tab Hunter is sweet as Joe Hardy and seems appropriately stymied by the more polished performances of Walston and Verdon--perhaps part of the point of casting him.

After enjoying Adler and Ross's Pajama Game so much, I was a bit disappointed in the music in this show. "You Gotta Have Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants Lola Gets" were the only songs I had heard before. The rest of it didn't really do it for me.

A new production of Damn Yankees opens for a short run at City Center today, coincidentally. It stars Jane Krakowski as Lola, Sean Hayes as Applegate and Cheyenne Jackson as Joe Hardy. Seems like a good cast. I won't be able to get to New York to see it, but if you do, give a report.

Damn Yankees
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Ross and Richard Adler
Book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop
1958 film directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen
Cast: Gwen Verdon, Ray Walston, Tab Hunter, Jean Stapleton, Rae Allen, Robert Shafer, Shannon Bolin

The Pajama Game 2006 Roundabout Theatre Cast recording

The original Broadway cast featured John Raitt, in my opinion the finest Broadway baritone of his or any generation. So how would Harry Connick, Jr. hold up in this music that I hear John Raitt singing in my mind's ear? Well, there is a lot to like about Mr. Connick, Jr. and this cast recording of The Pajama Game from the Roundabout Theatre Company production of 2006.

One of the best things is the reinstatement of Sid Sorkin's song "The World Around Us", which I believe was cut out of town from the original show. It's a wonderful song and I'm glad to be able to listen to it. Sid's "A New Town is a Blue Town" is also wonderful, but has been overshadowed by the perennial popularity of "Hey There", which is a much less interesting song.

Kelli O'Hara has just the right balance of belt, lyricism, and perk for the role of Babe. Ms. O'Hara is currently on Broadway in South Pacific (also produced by the Roundabout), and the roles of Babe and Nellie Forbush have a lot in common, both vocally and in spunk-factor.

One pet peeve with the packaging for this cast album. The track listing makes sure to include the licensing and copywrite ownership after every track, but doesn't tell you which character or which performer is singing. That seems a slap in the face of the actors. I've seen this show on stage and seen the film, so I know mostly which character is singing which song. But for the show novice? Maybe it was an oversight and not intentional.

The Pajama Game
Music and Lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
2006 Broadway Cast Recording
Released on CD for Columbia Records
Cast: Harry Connick, Jr., Kelli O'Hara, Roz Ryan, Megan Lawrence, Michael McKean