Damn Yankees cast has lots
of heart in Music Circus opener
Reviewed by Joe Blenkle/Sacramento Stage & Theatre
Mary Ann Lamb as Lola and Kevin Spirtas as Joe Hardy in the Music Circus' production of DAMN YANKEES playing at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, July 29-Aug. 3. Photo: Steve Kolb.
    One of my favorite songs in DAMN YANKEES is "Heart" in which members of the Washington Senators baseball team sing about what you need to win games. The cast of Music Circus' third production of the year certainly took that message to "heart" on opening night as they presented Sacramento with a fun evening of devilish baseball hijinx.
    Maybe it's just the time of the year (baseball season), but this version of DAMN YANKEES deserves a look - especially with James Brennan's portrayal of the devilish Mr. Applegate - a role made famous on stage and screen by Ray Walston.
    For those of you that don't know, DAMN YANKEES is the tale of Joe Boyd (Jeff Cyronek), a die-hard fan of the old Washington Senators. He'd do anything to have his team beat those (damn) New York Yankees. That's when Mr. Applegate shows up on his doorstep and offers Joe a chance to be the Senators' savior. In exchange for his soul, Applegate will make Joe young again - and the best baseball player ever. Joe agrees and joins the team, pushing them from last place into a race for the championship.
James Brennan as Mr. Applegate in Music Circus' DAMN YANKEES. Photo: Steve Kolb.
    Brennan is absolutely hilarious in his role as Applegate, sometimes overshadowing everyone else on the stage. But the silly costume changes and one-liners work to the benefit of the production as the crowd is always left wanting more.
    Music Circus' last effort of DAMN YANKEES in 1997 wasn't very memorable - well, yes, I remember I didn't like it much. But the 2003 production stands far above that one and takes some of the bitter taste out of my mouth.
    Kevin Spirtas, who plays Dr. Craig Wesley on the TV soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES, did a fair impression of Joe Hardy. Although he comes across as being just a shade too old for the role. Eric Kunze, who played it last time, had a much more wide-eyed youthful look about him.
    But balance is the key - and the other supporting characters did such a fantastic job that the crowd was left overlooking such minor trivialities.
    Elizabeth Ward Land and Mary Ann Lamb as Gloria Thorpe (a reporter for the local newspaper) and Lola (Mr. Applegate cohort) were absolutely delightful to watch. It was Land who carried the tune "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO" and, of course, Lamb's "Whatever Lola Wants" as Lola tries to seduce Joe Hardy is always one of the audience favorites.
    The rest of the supporting cast did a great job in their roles, as well, and made this production one of the more enjoyable outings at Music Circus in recent memory.
    Whether you're a baseball fan or not, DAMN YANKEES will put a smile on your face. And you'll leave the theater with all those delightful songs stuck in your head for many weeks to come.
    DAMN YANKEES performs at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 15th and H Streets in Sacramento, through Aug. 3. Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2 p.m.
    Tickets priced at $30-$46 are on sale at the Wells Fargo Pavilion box office, 1419 H Street, or by phone at (916) 557-1999. Tickets are also available at Tickets.com (916) 766-2277. Visit the Music Circus' web site at: Sacramento Music Circus.
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