JOHN PERKINS

KENNER - A most successful musical when it played on Broadway in the 1950's "Damn Yankees," based on the Douglass Wallop novel "The Year the Yankees Lost The Pennant," is opening a new season at the Rivertown Repertory Theatre under the splendid direction of Gary Rucker.

When it played New York, the stellar cast included Ray Walston in the role of the devilish Mr. Applegate, the vivacious Gwen Verdon as the seductive Lola and Jimmy Komack whose high tenor voice will always remain a memory as he sang "Heart" with the other members of the Washington Senators. The New York appearance was also s ground breaker in that it put an end to the idea that baseball stories were a jinx on Broadway as it ran for better than two years and also served to attract more men to attending theatre. With music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross with a book by George Abbott. "Damn Yankees" is centered around Joe Boyd, a middle aged, died-in the-wool fan of the Washington Senators. He celebrates when they win and is in near despair when they lose, which they always seem to do when those Damn Yankees are in town. In a move of desperation following another loss to the dreaded Yankees, Boyd states that he would be willing to sell his soul for a chance to help his beloved Senators.

No sooner were those words uttered when the devil, in the guise of a mortal man named Applegate, appears on the scene and offer to make his wish come true. Boyd is a little apprehensive as he realizes he is talking with the devil himself and knows what price that will be expected of him. A man who is deeply in love with his wife, but also wanting to help the Senators he agrees to the devil's plan but does manage to get Applegate to agree to an escape clause.

Our hero is now transformed into a young and healthy Joe Hardy, an athlete and ballplayer who can hit the ball a country mile and whose glove is so sure it's as if it were covered in glue. With Applegate's help he gets a chance to play for the Senators and takes them from the cellar to the first division and a team in contention for the pennant.

Worried that Joe might try to exercise the escape clause, Applegate brings in his heavy artillery in the curvaceous form of the seductive Lola whose job it will be to take Joe's mind off any thoughts of home and wife, Meg. But Lola finds herself falling in love with Joe which, of course, infuriates Applegate.

There is one fly in the ointment in the person of Gloria Thorpe a sports reporter who digs a little too deep into Joe's past. With some help from Applegate, she almost ruins the day for the Senators and for Joe, but the team - and Joe - come through before the witching hour and the story has the expected happy ending.

The story is surrounded by some of the best songs to come from Broadway, classic such as "Whatever Lola Wants." "(You've Got to Have) Heart", "Shoeless Joe From Hannibal MO" and "Two Lost Souls" just to mention a few. All of them are tailored to fit into the context of the story and make this a most memorable musical experience for the viewer.

Playing Joe Hardy, the younger version of the Senators' fan Joe Boyd, is Marc Fouchi and his performance is right on the money. He has the look and the voice to bring a most credible look to the character.

As Lola, Kelly Fouchi is absolutely perfect. She has the talent both as an actor, a dancer and a singer to bring Lola into sharp focus and of course there is immediate chemistry between her and her husband.

The role of Applegate, the devil in disguise of a mere mortal, is played by Robert Richardson. With little doubt, this is a featured role in the story and Richardson makes the best of it with his performance and he is responsible for many of the laughs that can be found in the story.

Playing the elder Joe Boyd is Mark Burton who paints a good picture of the middle aged fan who is willing to sell his soul to help the team.

His wife, Meg, is being played by Martha "Dickie" Dufour and she delivers a fine performance both acting and vocally in the role.

Gloria Thorpe, the inquiring sports reporter, is being played in splendid fashion by Emily Antrainer whose talent continues to grow with each new role.

Meg's two friends Doris and Sister, Senators fans who console Meg after Joe mysteriously disappears are played very well by Joanne Mehrtens and Claire Conti respectively.

Bud Landry is seen as the team manager Van Buren and his players come to life through the work of Randy Juneau (Rocky), Matt Grau III (Smokey), Kyle Daigrepont (Sohovik), Scott Sauber (Henry), and Beau Landry (Linville). Other ballplayers include Ken Thompson, Jesse Quigley, Rick Monsey, PJ Hellyer, Brian Bell and Brett Thiel.

Other cast members include Reggie Hendry (Welch), Earl Scioneaux (Lynch), Adriano Mulino (Bryant), Farrar Hudkins (Bouley), David Stidd (Strane), Karl Harrod (Hearne/commissioner), Lisette Bayle (Miss Weston), Frannie Rosenberg (Assistant) and Jeff Riddick; Ed Kileen as the Postmaster.

The teenage girls and other members of the ensemble include Whitney Haase, Jennifer Marks, Kallie Miller, Macy Alef, Lacy Faucheaux, Leslie Limberg, Eileen Harrist and Leah Bond.

Chad Talkington has designed the excellent set which includes the Boyd living room and the ballpark dugout and bleachers. Daniel Zimmer provides the lighting design. Flo Presti is the Musical Director and Kelly Fouchi has supplied the fine choreography. Linda Fried designed the costumes.

"Damn Yankees" is providing an excellent opening to the new season at Rivertown. It runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through October 3 with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The pre-show buffet catered by Messina's is a great way to begin your evening.