The San Francisco Giants won the pennant last month. However, Masuk High School’s stage will be filled this weekend with another baseball team looking to win the coveted World Series title.
Damn Yankees will be performed on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 15, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2 pm at Masuk High School in Monroe. Tickets may be reserved by calling 203-452-5823, ext. 7557 and at the door.
Director Greg Parkhurst said he chose to stage this musical because of its upbeat tunes and plentiful production numbers.
“I chose Damn Yankees because it’s a fun show and it has a timeless story,” Mr. Parkhurst said. “There is a lot of dance which showcases the many talented dancers we have. It is also a wonderful period piece that appeals to all groups. People who saw the Gwen Verdon version when it came out, will enjoy the show as well as the younger people because of its classic music and script.”
Mr. Parkhurst is a member of Masuk High School’s social studies department.
Senior Zack Blanchette is excited to perform his first traditional romantic leading role. “I usually don’t play characters who have so much confidence!” Zack said, smiling. In Damn Yankees Zack portrays Joe Boyd, a middle-age man who is transformed into a young baseball player after he makes a pact with Mr. Applegate, the Devil. Joe is determined to to play on his favorite team, the Washington Senators and lead them to victory.
Justin Marcinek, also a senior, has been challenged with creating the role of Mr. Applegate. is challenged by portraying taking on the part of Mr. Applegate.
“It’s been fun because I have a lot of freedom in the way I play him,” Justin said. “I can make him my own kind of devil. He’s very sarcastic to everyone, he’s very confident and yet things happen during the play that makes him lose his confidence.”
As active members of Masuk’s drama department during the past three years, both Zack and Justin said they plan to perform at college next year. Zack said he’s eager to explore the many different areas of theater arts and discover where he would like to pursue a career.
Justin agreed.
“There’s so much you could do in this field,” Justin said. “I have a lot of ideas and dreams.”
Like Justin, Isabella Vaccaro, a sophomore, is playing a character with a dark side. As Lola, the beautiful young woman the Devil commissions to lure Joe away from baseball, Isabella said she’s able to “let loose and go a little crazy” onstage.
Isabella said, “It’s been fun to explore this character.”
An 11-year student of ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and “just about every dance class that’s offered”, Isabella is looking forward to executing some of the show’s entertaining dance numbers.
In Damn Yankees, Hannah Halloran will also have the opportunity to showcase her dancing skills. As Gloria Thorpe, a reporter who is determined to get the scoop on Joe’s true identity, Hannah takes center stage in the energetic production number “Shoeless Joe From Hannibal, Mo.”
“I’ve been taking ballet for about 15 years at the Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet and I’ve always wanted to do a huge Broadway dance production number onstage,” Hannah stated.
According to Jamie Sherry, one of the show’s producers, and a social studies teacher, there are 50 students participating both onstage and behind the scenes in Damn Yankees. .
“We find a part for everyone,” she said. “Everyone who wants to be involved in our shows gets a chance to be involved.”
Auditions are held during the second week of school in September and rehearsals begin immediately once the cast is set.
Parent volunteers assist with concession donations, costumes and fundraising. At times, they may also help their young performer understand the character they are playing.
“I asked my mom to read my lines with me so I learn how to be more motherly,” Jillian Canal, a senior, admitted. Jillian portrays Joe’s wife, Meg, a 40-year old, devoted wife who doesn’t know where her middle-aged husband has gone when he abruptly is transported to the team’s training camp.
“The drama kids are like a family,” said Sherry. “It’s fun for me to see them doing what they love onstage after having them as students in the classroom.”